Homework On Grounding

[MomOfTwo]

I saw my new doctor/therapist yesterday. She is a medical doctor but practices therapy. I guess the good thing is she can prescribe medication if needed.

She gave me homework on grounding. Not sure if it will help anyone else. She told me to practice this daily even when I am not feeling like I am dissociating.

In a room name three tangible items in the room. Where you have to look around so not objects beside each other. Then listen for 3 things. Name them. Then feel three things and feel the different textures.

She said as well to walk around doing this.

She said that these techniques need to be in place in order to try and stay present. I don't know if I am ready to stay present if that makes sense. I feel a bit defiant inside for some reason. Not sure where that is coming from. I did a depression checklist as well. I do not like checklists. I have a hard time reading anything and sometimes it is hard to know what you are feeling anyway.

 

[safenow]

I am glad she gave you those things to do. Might I suggest you also add listening to sounds, smelling things that bring you comfort as well as adding taste. When you use all 5 senses you can ground very quickly. I like the idea of moving around the room, but for me, I can't always do that. I'm in a wheelchair and some times, if I'm in a regular chair I can't do that.

Thank you for sharing that with us.

 

[71nothing]

I don't know if I am ready to stay present if that makes sense. I feel a bit defiant inside for some reason.

That makes perfect sense. I sometimes feel the same way. As much as I don't want to dissociate, sometimes being present feels worse then feeling nothing. It's a double-edged sword.

 

[safenow]

sometimes being present feels worse then feeling nothing. It's a double-edged sword

Truth.

 

[MomOfTwo]

I am glad she gave you those things to do. Might I suggest you also add listening to sounds, smelling things that bring you comfort as well as adding taste.
Thank you for sharing that with us.

Thanks for the tips. I think grounding can be useful but I do like the comfort of 'being somewhere else'. I could not imagine not having that ability or not being able to do it. I have issues with touching things. I worry about touching anything. I should carry something in my pocket instead because I don't like the thoughts of touching things in a room. The doctor had me touch the couch I was sitting on and it was difficult. I did not want to tell her how I thought it was too full of germs. I do not even like sitting on furniture unless it is my own. I carry so many hand sanitizers.

 

[safenow]

I bring what I call my PTSD First-Aide Kit.It is from my own house. How about a small stone. A smooth or rough one. Which ever feels good to you. That way, if you need to touch something, you have one you know is safe for you.

 

[MomOfTwo]

I bring what I call my PTSD First-Aide Kit.It is from my own house. How about a small stone.

That is a great idea. My husband found a heart shaped stone in our yard and it is really cool. I could use that if I can remember where I put it in the house. The doctor called me to find out what medication I had used in the past and what worked and what did not. She asked me about the current one and I told her I don't know if it made the depression better because I feel like I feel nothing and she said that it could be just that I am dissociating. I don't understand that. I understand under certain situations but all the time does not make sense to me. The one I am on does not make me gain weight which I am glad but to be honest I don't think I have ever had a medication that has helped with the exception of anxiety medication or sleeping pills. I find that anti-depressents have never helped the anxiety or sleep and in fact have made things worse.

I tried doing the 'homework' she suggested of using the 3 things and I would much rather filter most things out of my world because it was giving me a massive headache. Perhaps I should just set aside a certain time to do this or just under certain situations.
thanks again for your ideas. I appreciate it.

 

[safenow]

I find that anti-depressents have never helped the anxiety or sleep and in fact have made things worse.

I found that same problem with them. I don't even allow anyone to suggest them to me any longer. LOL. I'd rather be depressed than suicidal. Depression can be eliminated when you want it to. But being suicdial can be dangerous.

That heart-shaped stone sounds wonderful. I used to know a woman that had twins who died. One right after the other. Her husband found heart shaped stones within a huge rock and they used them for headstones. She wears a little double heart shaped necklace to remind her of them.

I used to wear a necklace that was silver with mother of pearl in it. The mother of pearl was shaped like a mountain. The mountain have a great significance for me, and I never took that off. That is, until the day I put my baby up for adoption. She was about 6 years old. I put that around her neck and told her whenever she look up into the sky, she could know I was there watching over her. She took off her candy bracelet and put it on my arm. We hugged, then I put her in the lap of her new momma and daddy and drove off.

 

[MomOfTwo]

Safenow,

Two very touching stories. I am sorry for your friends loss and yours as well. I am sure your daughter cherishes her necklace and looks to the sky often.

 

[Marguerite]

I don't know if I am ready to stay present if that makes sense. I feel a bit defiant inside for some reason.

When I'm frightened, I shut down to feel safe. I can only use grounding when I am calm and safe.

 

[who am i kim]

Grounding is an interesting topic. Do normal people ground themselves or do we have to do it because we dissociate. It is like writing things down so that I remember. I do not want to do these things as my significant other m does not. Why do I have too. Too me is also resembles being a child and I am not a child anymore. My childhood has the bad stuff connected to it. Why do I want, have to go back there again.The resistance from with myself.

If I make no sense sorry. I just have a problem with grounding or find it hard to do or making time for it. Its like meditation to me, also I know that it has benefits but making time for it regularly is difficult. I only do when I remember or really need to switch off my mind.

 

[Bubblegirl]

I have found the grounding exercises helpful because in the present is the only place I have hope to change anything. I cannot change the past so I can't let my mind dwell there. If I go to the future, there is worry, worry worry...both these things increase my anxiety, so bringing myself to the present is better for me than dissociating.
As for what to smell, listen taste, touch, etc, I also try to use items that bring me comfort, like hugging my dog or listening to a song that I know is "safe" and will trigger no fear or anxiety. I have been working for about 2 years on creating a sensory "first aid kit" (I like that, never thought of it that way), and have been able to make staying present bearable for the most part.