Pulling Out Of Silence/dissociation

[Seasounds]

Like others, I move around, engage my senses (by touching things, and looking at things) while I describe my sensory experience.

I also use the Alexander Technique, which helps me "untighten" muscles and regain ergonomic coordination (find ease throughout my body-which decreases the trigger's psychoneuromuscular pattern).

I ask myself to breathe, let my body soften, and notice and describe my body sensations. I may gently rub the area that is tight. Depending whether or not I notice anger being held in my body, I may hit pillows while I yell.

 

[Hashi]

@Springer80

As a long time dream interpreter (and card carrying Jungian :p), I think the dreams and your reactions are telling you very clearly that you should continue with the attempt and take the next steps! I don't want to take the thread off topic, please PM me or tag me in a new thread if you'd like me to explain more.

Sometimes I stay present, sometimes I don't.

When you stay present, can you identify why? What's "working" so that you stay present? Does it just seem random?

I'm also wondering what grounding skills you've learnt and if you're using them. There are things that help us stop leaving, as well as things that help us bring ourselves back - I personally believe both those things are as much our job as the therapist's.

 

[desiderata310]

Just went through a really rough session. Triggered, flashback.... My therapist kept asking how far away he was, asked me to keep breathing, asked me to say anything. It look me a long time to tell him he was 'way over there' and even longer to finally say ' your shirt is green'. He asked me to focus on that and hold on to it.

Finally he managed to get me to get up, walk outside and meet his dogs who were hanging out in his car ( it's VERY cool today) all of these things finally got me back to almost earth. I'm still not quite back. He told me to go get the new tires I need for my bike and go ride today. Actually, he insisted. So I'm sitting outside the bike shop waiting for them to open.
Not sure what else got done today.