Stopping Dissociation And Coping Mechanisms

[Moments]

Hi, I'm new here and having trouble getting things done due to dissociation but also healthier coping mechanisms. For example I will keep reading a book, as it's soothing and not go to bed or clean my house, I guess I don't want to put it down and go back to reality. I am having trouble just eating and sleeping regularly due to my extremely stressful job that has bad hours and all kinds of triggers from my childhood. I am reading here about grounding through the senses and wondering if there are any other techniques?

I am in therapy however, my therapist of three years left and I had to switch to a new one. I was really declining right before she told me she was leaving. I go to a training clinic for PhD psychology candidates as it's all I can afford. My new therapist is very young and inexperienced and doesn't know how to handle me yet.

 

[Marf]

Are you looking for a different job?

 

[franciemarnie]

What techniques are you using now?

There are lots. Everyone has different ones that work best for them.

 

[arfie]

Musical instruments, writing, gardening and language study also serve as tried and true grounding techniques for me. I have also heard rave reviews from folks who use sketching, crafting and physical training.

Hope you find yours, Moments. Grounding sure makes a difference in my coping.

 

[franciemarnie]

Besides the usual what do I hear, smell, see, etc. right now or grounding myself - my spine with the earth - and other traditional ways, I like wrapping books for shipment (I have a book business). It grounds me and makes me ludicrously happy. I love to wrap and pack! Go figure.

Also taking care of my plants, making cuttings and creating
new ones.

 

[Moments]

Like I said, I am reading here about grounding through the senses and wondering if there are any other techniques for stopping dissociation or for even limiting more healthy techniques when they get in the way of functioning.


My stress and anxiety can be pretty sever so regular relaxation techniques usually don't work for me.

 

[cherryblossom]

To be honest, what you've described sounds more like distraction that dissociation. If you are actively reading a book rather than doing other tasks - that is a distraction.

Dissociation is involuntary - where you are completely alienated to current time /place due to emotion /memories/ thoughts completely taking over from your conscious thoughts.

 

[valia]

Hi, I got ptsd for at least 6 years! whenever I got dissociated and overwhelmed by panic I used to touch my ears in a strong way concentrate a bit and refocus. so I regained concentration. unfortunately I was in Ireland when I had ptsd and I could not go back to my country because it was connected to the trauma and I was avoiding it. Irish public health doctors did not recognize the ptsd even if they were writing its exact symptoms and they knew the trauma I had. They defined it as "delirium" and said that the dissociation was a symptom of schizophrenia. even after other doctors pointed them it was ptsd they stubbornly insist that being blocked by anxiety when there are intrusive thoughts about a trauma means you are schizophrenic.

 

[TeaLeaf]

What helps me is grounding in my body, feeling my toes and fingers and connecting to the present time, I also remind myself that the trauma is over, that I am safe now. And I keep running through these things until I am able to get back to some semblance of reality.

Distraction also works for me, listening to music, painting my nails and cleaning.

Its hard to have your therapist leave, especially since you mentioned you were declining before she left. Have you mentioned your doubts about your new therapist to her? Maybe getting it out in the open can help and she can work through it with you.

If you aren't looking for a new job are you doing things to take care of yourself while you are there? I also have a stressful job that is triggering sometimes and I found that it really helps to take breaks, bring something yummy for lunch and make plans to buy a coffee or a pastry or things like that in order to make my day more pleasant and get through it.

 

[Survivor2Thriver]

Try holding ice in one hand and running hot water on the other. :)