[Trace14]

So the T wants me to read a section of the PTSD workbook that deals with grounding and finding a safe place. From my understanding the grounding is to keep you in the moment and to stop the dissociation. But then I thought the dissociation was a "safe place" for dealing with trauma. A defense mechanism for coping with trauma. Do I have the wrong impression of these?
Anyone practice grounding exercises? Are they a long term thing or just something to get you through this period in your life?

[Open Eyes]

Yes, dissociation is a way the brain escapes from overload.

The therapist or the book is trying to help a person find ways to be "in the now" and calm down instead of just dissociating. It is learning how to maintain consciousness and awareness without stressing, that is why meditation is so helpful, and even prayer because that also help a person be in the present without the shutting down that dissociation does.

[Trace14]

Welcome back Glad to see you posting again. I will give the grounding exercises a shot, nothing to lose by trying, ya know?

[Trace14]

Too bad this doesn't work while dreaming. I laid down for nap, bad headache, and woke up in a panic attack. I had written my T a fake letter to update her on what was going on since our last session since she is on vacation. I don't intend on giving it to her, at least not as it is written, maybe edited. Anyway in the nightmare she was pushing for me to release the letter to her, sent me into a panic attack. You are so unprotected when you sleep.

[Open Eyes]

Sleep can be a challenge with PTSD. When you wake up like that though it means your brain was just trying to figure out how to feel about that letter and apparently you are very unsettled about it. You are expecting something bad to happen and be caught off guard, I have bad dreams like that too. Well, that is because something bad did happen and it was traumatic and you are not sure how to settle that emotionally either, I have that challenge myself.

Finding ways to be in the "now" and be calm does help with that though. Meditation is good because you are learning to sit just in the now and in relaxation doing nothing and being "ok" with it.

[Trace14]

Yes, the more that happens the more that I see I need to find a relaxing procedure to help. I really don't want anymore meds. I may not give her the letter. Especially as is. She's on vacation and I feel like we have lost our momentum with talking and I just wanted to keep her updated on what's going on between times. But I just make a list and give it to her next appointment.

[Trace14]

What is finding and using a safe place? Is it a physical place or a place in your mind you go? Isn't that what a dissociative event is also? This is so confusing. My T is coming back next week and I want to have a better grasp on this before our next meeting. Or at least make her think I was working on it while she was gone

[Open Eyes]

Well, a safe place can be your bedroom that you have made nice and comfy for yourself. A safe place can be a place you may drive to and sit, like a favorite beach or forest or sitting by a favorite pond or river. An activity that you like to do or a project that is something you enjoy, doesn't have to be anything big either. It could be creating a small garden for someone who likes to get their hands in the dirt (which by the way has proven that pushing dirt around actually provide healthy chemicals that make a person feel better). It could be looking at magazines that are about a topic you like too.

[Trace14]

So how do you incorporate this in a therapy session? If you get stressed, mentally go to this place? How would the T know you were not dissociating, or are you?

[knit roses]

For grounding in the now, I remind us that we have dogs Lucy and Gomez now. I list my support, myT, Larry (spouse), my dharma teacher, friends. it's not like it used to be anymore.
My safe place is Gilligan's Island and Dumbo's home. (When I was little, I wished Dumbo's Mom was my Mom because she was a good Mom.) this relieves my anxiety and fear.

[anxiety247]

Originally Posted by Trace14

So how do you incorporate this in a therapy session? If you get stressed, mentally go to this place? How would the T know you were not dissociating, or are you?

You should practice it everyday even when you are in a good place take a few minutes each day to go to that safe place/and or the grounding techniques. That way it becomes a habit and easier to get back in moment in the difficult times.

[Parva]

Originally Posted by Trace14

What is finding and using a safe place? Is it a physical place or a place in your mind you go? Isn't that what a dissociative event is also? This is so confusing. My T is coming back next week and I want to have a better grasp on this before our next meeting. Or at least make her think I was working on it while she was gone

I used a mental safe place that came in one of my messed up dreams. I stopped using it, because it started becoming dissociative and isolating just as you said. It's funny, a different version of that safe place came in a dream later on. Different place, but the symbolism of the dream / safe place was identical.

We've used EMDR in much the same way. I've found thoughts and images through EMDR that have been incredibly calming and I've been able to hang on to, and at times can use those as refuges.