Poll Weighted Blankets

[presentjoy]

I tried searching for a discussion of this and could not find one, so figured I would start it.

I was recently inpatient in a trauma and dissociative disorders unit. It was unlike any other inpatient experience I had. It wasn't without its difficulties, but some things I thought were very unlike any psych ward I've encountered, and they very much focused on helping people re-regulate when they were in distress.

They had these really amazing weighted blankets. They weren't horribly thick, they were soft and large, and I used it many times.

As someone with sensory processing issues I already knew of weighted blankets, and thought it was great that a trauma unit was using them. Deep pressure can extremely helpful for calming and regulating.

For some people the weight may be triggering, so it's not for everyone.

I have a small blanket made out of beanbags. It's got Spiderman on it. Clearly meant for a child, but I really love it.

I wish I remembered to use it when I was in distress. I was curious whether anyone else has one and finds it helpful. How do you remember to use it?

If you don't have one, caveat is they are expensive.

Anyway thought I'd share.

 

[mamachick]

I am not familiar with weighted blankets, but I have a duvet cover that is very high quality and is like heavy upholstery fabric(heavy and a bit scratchy) and a down comforter goes inside. It is so heavy I feel like I am being crushed and cannot use it. It is triggering for me and I dont know why. It is beautiful and never considered this being a problem when I got it.

There is something I love about all white sheets and down covers that are light and soft and fluffy.

 

[Deleted member 1860]

I wrote a post about this a few years ago.

I have two weighted blankets. They helped at first, but now they make me feel trapped. I don't use them anymore.

I thrash around a lot at night. I have parasomnia. Anything weighted makes me wake up exhausted. I hate it. I need to be able to move around freely.

I'm like brat. All the blankets on my bed are down. They are warm but float above me.

 

[franciemarnie]

Someone told me when I was depressed and undiagnosed for PTSD to try heavy blankets. This guy got his in Japan. I've been using a real heavy terry cloth robe on top of blankets and quilts for years. That worked for me. I discovered Cashwere blankets last year at a resort. Thin but somehow heavy too. They stay put unlike slippery quilts. Heavy blankets make me feel secure.

 

[Hope4future]

I like the idea of a weighted blanket. Can you share the name of the trauma program you were at?

 

[Abstract]

I have heard of them and have wondered about trying them. I know they are used quite a lot for those sensory issues, dyslexia and similar spectrum disorders. I didn't know they could be used for trauma but I can see the logic. I imagine it could feel grounding. I know wrapping up in a blanket can give that sense of security as well.

 

[GrahamCracker]

I have been looking into purchasing one of these for a while. I feel like they would be helpful. I have to do a lot of different things to sleep. I wear earplugs and I keep a heated mattress cover on my bed year round...I find it comforting.

These are kind of expensive. You can get a new one for a little bit cheaper on EBay, but I haven't found anything less than that. I'm considering making my own. There are a lot of DIY websites with these on there.

 

[presentjoy]

For the most part, as I've read about them, weighted blanket as a therapy isn't something you use to sleep with. It's not advised to use them for a long time, like hours overnight. It's more like, if I put it over my shoulders or over my upper body it's very grounding. At some point it's too much and I take it off. I can completely understand if some people would feel trapped by them.

Some kids use a weighted lap pad when they sit in school, it helps them focus.

I like the idea of a weighted blanket. Can you share the name of the trauma program you were at?

I can, Hope, maybe in private for now.

These are kind of expensive. You can get a new one for a little bit cheaper on EBay, but I haven't found anything less than that. I'm considering making my own. There are a lot of DIY websites with these on there.

Yes, there are different DIY options, and different materials to use. Mine is a bunch of individual pockets with beanbags in them. It's possible to take the beanbags out and wash it. Time consuming, but washable is good.

Thanks for everyone's replies so far!

 

[Hope4future]

Privately makes perfect sense. Hope you didn't mind my asking. I'm not sure how to do a private conversation, but I'll figure it out. Also no hurry, whenever you're ready, or not at all. It's ok if you don't want to share about it.

Just to clarify, I'm not asking you to talk about your experience, that seems to private for me to ask. I'd just like the name of a good place.

Thanks for even considering it.

 

[therisa]

A weighted blanket would be, a flashback trigger, for me, as I have a particular flashback, which I can only the weight of my abuse on top of me, pinning my body down, as the blows land.

 

[Deleted member 1860]

They may not be used for sleeping for those with trauma, but they are used extensively for those with autism to help kids sleep. If you research the blankets, this is a big use for these blankets. I had mine custom made, and the company makes most of their blankets for bed and sleeping at night.

 

[presentjoy]

A weighted blanket would be, a flashback trigger, for me

Yes, I imagine this would be the case for some people that it would be a trigger, understandably.
Thanks for sharing, Therisa

pj