[lad007]

So we have a neighbor who lets their dog bark, some days I just can't stand this. We were sitting outside and it wouldn't shut up. I wanted to throw a rock at it's head, then jump over the fence and stab it. Well my husband was there so I didn't say those things.
I went inside instead and worked on hooking up my tv that I took out of my room a few days ago when I decided not to watch it anymore. So I couldn't figure it out. All the meanwhile the dog was barking in my head and really agitating me. So my husband tried to help and I lost it and smashed the tv on the floor and it busted and smoked-kinda cool actually.
So my question is what do you do about something you can't change before you lose it. My husband was none to happy about this display.

[BNLsMOM]

There is a DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy) term called Opposite Action. Basically, it means that if you think you want to do something that would be destructive, take a second to think of an opposite action that you could do that wouldn't be destructive and do that thing instead.

It takes a lot of practice so it may not work the first several times when you are in the heat of the moment, but if you practice alot when you are calm, you can train your mind to be able to take a second during a heated time and you will be able to control your actions.

Anyone correct me if I am wrong, I am writing from what I remember from a DBT group I was in a couple of years ago.

[tnlibrarian]

Honestly? I take an Ativan, two if it's really bad and my husband is home to watch the kids while I sleep. I mentioned to my psych I have a hard time keeping from breaking stuff or totally flying off the handle when I get frustrated and she said all she could do for me was prescribe an antipsychotic or admit me to the hospital. Very frustrating.

Wow, lad007, I sure can relate. In fact, today(!) Though I haven't launched (yet), I can feel it... that everything just irritating the **** out of me, can't do anything right, just, well, very unpleasant to be around. I don't want it to escalate, so what to do? That is the current dilemma. I missed the train, and could drive, but know that I should not get behind the wheel. So, that's one thing... removing oneself or choosing to not put oneself in situations that are likely to be problematic. It's not going to make it go away, but will keep me from potentially getting in serious trouble. Worse, public trouble! (This tactic also includes not choosing frustrating or exasperating chores.) Like tnlibrarian, I sometimes go for my PRN xanax (haven't yet, debating it) to take the edge off, but I don't want to risk get sleepy. I know what you mean about your husband not being very happy about it. BF is kind of scared of what I am capable of and doesn't understand it. For one, that there should be a reason for it, but it doesn't work that way. You could also try breathing to relax or distraction. Sometimes I stay "rarrr grrr!" and sometimes it is a matter of getting through a spell that will switch out. Those two I find more effective for the "switch out" sort. Since I don't know which it will be, it's worth trying.

Good luck!

Oh, yeah. And today is not a good day to repair the wall damaged in a biggie about a month and a half ago...

[DaveyJones]

I did a bit of DBT, but sometimes I get a bit amused about things like the Opposite Action approach. It makes sense and I even do it from time to time. However, I didn't learn it at DBT class

[cocoabeans]

Originally Posted by BNLsMOM

There is a DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy) term called Opposite Action. Basically, it means that if you think you want to do something that would be destructive, take a second to think of an opposite action that you could do that wouldn't be destructive and do that thing instead.

It takes a lot of practice so it may not work the first several times when you are in the heat of the moment, but if you practice alot when you are calm, you can train your mind to be able to take a second during a heated time and you will be able to control your actions.

Anyone correct me if I am wrong, I am writing from what I remember from a DBT group I was in a couple of years ago.

I never did DBT but, I do something like that sometimes. There was a point in my life some time ago where I started noticing all the terrible crap I do to myself and started reflecting. It is a good habit.

But then sometimes I'm so impulsive, I don't know what I'm doing until I'm doing it.

[Victoria'smom]

I'm intimate with Dh, play fight with Dh or our dog. I try not to go into public like this or interact with my son a lot. Dh has this problem too but more often he goes to the Dojo up to 6 hours a week or practice karate at home. He also tries to go to at least one tournament a month. He's thinking about taking up kick boxing to improve his karate.