Has anyone used a weighted blanket for grounding/managing their anxiety?

[-lemurlibs91-]

I'm desperately trying to find ways of managing my anxiety and grounding me when I'm in that place where I'm consistently struggling with intense anxiety, fear and paranoia and constantly on the verge of (or in a state of) depersonalisation, derealisation or dissociation. I used to be able to get out of that state by colouring, sleeping, listening to music etc. but now those things won't even work most of the time. They might get me to a functioning point but they don't break it.

Someone told me about weighted blankets as an alternative to Deep Pressure Therapy from a service dog. When I get a dog I intend to train them to do this but in the meantime I have no way of properly grounding myself.

Has anyone tried weighted blankets? Have you found them helpful with anxiety/sensory processing problems? I'm slightly worried about getting the right weight because I don't want to feel trapped...but I need it to be heavy enough to make a difference.

Obviously I'm cautious as they are extremely expensive but I'm kind of stuck for alternatives.

 

[anonymous]

Yes. I had one for a few years. Super helpful!

It eventually was torn by a crappy washing machine, and is beyond repair. I haven’t gotten a new one for use at night, mostly because it’s super expensive and difficult to take anywhere and use when I’m triggered. I didn’t really feel trapped with it though.

Now I have a weighted lap pad. I can use it while I’m on the phone for a triggery call, or etc. I also have a spandex style (spanx) under the clothes compression shirt I’ve used on super stressful work days - not because it helps my figure, but because it provides that deep pressure that can chill the flight or flight response a bit.

You can find out if deep pressure might help by pushing or leaning into a wall the next time you are triggered. It’s not a definitive test, but if it is calming, it might point to deep pressure being helpful in other ways.

 

[Friday]

Obviously I'm cautious as they are extremely expensive but I'm kind of stuck for alternatives.

Most weighted blankets are both pretty light... about 15lbs....and pretty small. Which means you can easily/cheaply trial whether or not one might work for you with a 20lb bag of rice & a pillowcase.

 

[JEKBreatheandBelieve]

I have a 7 lb twin sized blanket. It's perfect for me and I've had it for a few years. They usually recommend 10% of your body weight, but I found that too heavy. I am lucky enough that there is a manufacturer with a small store so I got to feel it out first. Maybe there is a sensory store near you.

 

[Earthcuddledragon]

I actually ordered one recently, I use several blankets folded up under my quilt to crawl under at night(that could also be a fairly good alternative); it works getting to sleep, just annoying when they fall off because I move around A Lot.
I found a good explanation of how to know how heavy would be best for you, which was to weigh the blankets you currently use in comparison to your weight, and if you need heavier add 1-2 lb/kg, if it's a perfect weight but falls off (like mine) just use the same. It was interesting for me because I found out the blankets I use actually add up to 12 lbs :roflmao: Also consider how much of the blanket is on you, if most of it is off then you aren't getting as much pressure when it's not made to be weighted.

 

[Crow]

25 lb blanket on my bed and a 4 lb blanket for traveling on planes.