When To Use Grounding Techniques

[loui50]

I experienced my first episode of depersonalization/derealization Friday (I've had flashbacks, but never this) and on Monday my T taught me a grounding technique to use when it happens again. She called it grounding with the 5 senses. I was curious if others use grounding during times that don't involve such extreme events as dissociation? I've read that it is supposed to help with extreme anxiety as well, even when there is no dissociation. I was mildly anxious earlier today and I tried it to see if it would help. When I finished I felt so calm. I live in a constant state of mild to moderate anxiety. I feel it in the pit of my stomach. for the first time that I can remember in over a decade, i did NOT feel it in the pit of my stomach. Can I over use it? Like, will it quit working? I know I can ask T all this, but she is a week away and after 12 years of PTSD i'm a little embarrased about how much I don't know.

 

[Tinyflame]

I don't find any of them work very well for me, so good for you. :tup: :hug:

Overuse? Idk, I don't think so.

 

[loui50]

I don't find any of them work very well for me, so good for you. :tup: :hug:

Overuse? Idk, I don't thi...

@Junebug honestly I'm scared it is a fluke. Like I want to intentionally trigger myself and try again. If that makes any sense? LOL I won't, but I really want to!!

 

[Silver.]

There is no "overusing" grounding techniques, and there are all sorts of different ones, the 5 sensory one being a very good one.
I use grounding a lot, it helps with my anxiety. Once you get the 5 senses technique down, if you get "sick of it" so to speak, you can always google other techniques as there is a wealth of pages offering them.

 

[loui50]

There is no "overusing" grounding techniques, and there are all sorts of different ones, the 5 sensory...

Thank you. Do they make you crazy calm? It was almost too quite in my head. Is that what is supposed to happen? I'm learning so much from my new T. I've been seeing her for about 5 months. I had a previous T for 7 or 8 years and she never taught me about grounding. She wasn't very experienced with trauma. I'm actually pretty mad I wasted 7 or 8 years!!

 

[Tinyflame]

That's likely very true my head is never quiet(er) unless I'm engaged, or unconscious. Even that goes against me/ night terrors.

 

[Silver.]

My head is never going to be calm in the sense you are saying, I am always sifting through dozens of thoughts at one time or another, making it really hard for me to communicate the way I want to (especially on here, I am always having to ask if what I am saying makes sense), but that is a situation that is particular to me.
Grounding does give me a sense of awareness that gives me the ability to focus and function. Many people on here will tell you they do various grounding techniques often, and we all react differently in our own ways, the key point being able to settle down, have some understanding and be present.

 

[Tinyflame]

Yes I think it's great @Silver .

 

[EveHarrington]

I don't believe you can overdo it. It's not like drugs lol.

 

[Sideways]

With tonnes of regular use? I've found that I've just got better at grounding. Get there faster and it's more effective. Not like, say, valium, where you need to keep upping the dose for it to stay effective. Thank goodness!

As for "crazy calm", I had a psychologist say to me once, "Actually, that's just how the rest of us feel most of the time." Wha!? When you've spent your life in a constant state of hyperarousal, yeah, it feels like I must be waaay to relaxed for my own good. But unless I fall asleep, that kind of relaxed is ultimately what we want to be aiming for most of the time. Cool, eh!?

 

[loui50]

With tonnes of regular use? I've found that I've just got better at grounding. Get there faste...

I never thoight of it that way. Just the way everyone else feels all the time!! Yeah. If i can make it happen again, i intend too. You are probably right though. We live in such a heightened state that any relief feels like too much.

 

[Friday]

. Like I want to intentionally trigger myself and try again. If that makes any sense? LOL I won't, but I really want to!!

Why not? I do that all the time. It not only adds practice/skill to a difficult thing, making it easier, but confidence in your skills to be able to handle yourself when you get unexpectedly triggered.

I was curious if others use grounding during times that don't involve such extreme events as dissociation? I've read that it is supposed to help with extreme anxiety as well, even when there is no dissociation.

Yep. Anxiety. Panic. Rage. Disassociation. After nightmares. It works with all of them. And it's also just a good thing to do, periodically, in general / helps with emotional monitoring & regulation, situational awareness, & many other things. It's just a damn useful skill.