My Doll

[stormy]

I know this may sound funny, but I have a doll and told my therapist about her. I actually love this doll. I felt funny telling him about how much I love her. I feel a bit crazy that she makes me feel safe and warm, but it's my truth. It was actually quite freeing. He said it's quite common for those who grew up in abuse to have dolls and stuffed animals to help them feel safe. I really like that,and I don't feel so crazy anymore!
He even asked for a picture saying he would love to meet her. Although, I can't stop giggling that he wanted to meet her,I happily sent the picture. I feel really good about this.
Does anyone else have a doll or stuffed animal that you actually feel love for? Has your therapist asked to meet her\him?

 

[Intrepid]

My therapist has a stuffed "Dory" from Finding Nemo. I'd hold on to her in the worst of the flashbacks, when it was time to come back. I'd tell myself "just keep swimming" over and over. For 3 years Dory has been sitting at the end of the couch in my therapist's office, waiting for me.

 

[Leigh925]

I have a stuffed bear. I sleep with it every night. I told me therapist about it and then a few days later I sent a picture. Months later.... I now take it to every session. I don't always get it out of my bag but a lot of the times I do.

Sometimes if I am having a hard time or a flashback by therapist will reach down and grab it out of the bag and put it in my lap. It is very comforting to me.

Several months ago I went on a trip and there were very specific guidelines about what I could take. I practically fell apart in a session because I couldn't take my bear. I was so embarrassed but my therapist was very understanding and talked about how important it is to take care of the vulnerable little sides of our selves and help them feel safe.

The next week when I went to my appt. he gave me a tiny stuffed animal that would fit in my purse for my trip. It really meant a lot to me.

With PTSD we have so many moments of pain, trauma, confusion and discomfort...,that I think finding a doll or bear we find comfort in is the least we can do for ourselves.

 

[Leigh925]

Actually even though I do not have Dissociative Identity Disorder I do have parts. Since the bear has been so successful...over time I have bought something for each of my parts as we have worked on them and there is usually a specific reason why I choose what I do.

Like I have a rabbit which represents the book The Velveteen Rabbit which had a lot of meaning for me. I also have a little horse that looks like the Skin Horse in the book because his job is to watch over the children and toys in the nursery and he teaches them how to become real even though sometimes it hurts.

Not all of them mean the same to me but it has definitely been an exercise in self care and validation for the neglected, ignored and abused little parts of me.

My family!

 

[stormy]

@Leigh925 I love the pic! It feels so good to hear others have these special dolls/stuffies to help soothe. Thanks for sharing!

 

[Kintsugi]

Hm. I don't have a stuffed animal I've brought (though I am attached to tons), but I did bring my cats once, and that was a little unorthodox.

 

[Deleted member 1860]

All I will say is yes, I have a stuffed animal.... If I say anything more, I'll completely blow my anonymity here on the forum if anyone I know stumbles upon this place. Lets just say that people know him, he does travel, and I've got pics of his adventures. I know its probably not the healthiest thing to be so attached to a stuffed animal, but, uhm.....lets just say that I've hunted him down on ebay, and if he goes missing for whatever reason, I WILL replace him in a heartbeat. Why does it have to be him? Cuz I'm UBER picky about how my stuffed animals feel. He's getting a bit ratty looking so he may need a younger brother a bit sooner than I anticipated. Maybe I'll see if he will scrub up well, lol.

 

[stormy]

@Solara Lol!! Mine is pretty beat up too, I cant tell you how many times she has been sewn up through the years.

 

[Hope4Now]

I have a teddy bear from when I was a baby. It is in the attic. You all are making me feel like maybe I will take him out. He is the only animal that survived becoming kindling for one of my dad's fires, or my mother's clean out of my room when I was 13. He's pretty ratty and holds a lot of memories. Perhaps it would help my parts to be with him. Hmmm. Thanks for the thread.

 

[pillow]

I have a pillow I am super attached too! No one is allowed to touch it not even my husband.

 

[JEKBreatheandBelieve]

I have a bear that I currently sleep with and that comes to therapy with me. The story of how I got the bear is pretty comical because it happened before I realized that I had DID. I was pregnant with my first child and saw it in a story. I couldn't stop looking at it. I told my husband I wanted it. I couldn't explain why. Although I have always liked stuffed animals, I knew I didn't need another bear. So we left without it. And then I cried at dinner because I didn't get the bear. I had no idea why I wanted that bear so much. My husband went back a little while later and got two of the bears. My son has one and so do I. Turns out though that the reason I didn't understand why I wanted that bear so much is because it was one of my young parts that wanted that bear. I just didn't have the awareness to understand that at the time.

 

[audreyhorne]

For me it's my cat. He seems to always know when I need him most, and he'll just come and sit quietly beside me or on my lap until I calm down.