[Sam2]

Today while I sat getting my hair cut, a couple of songs on the station they have there were triggers for suicidal feelings. What I would like to know is how every one who is negatively effected by certain songs deals with it when those songs pop up.

Stores always have music on, and you can't walk up to an employee and tell them to turn it off. Sometimes I'll go into a store feeling halfway decent, then the wrong song comes on and all I want to do is wrap my car around a tree. The effects of even one such song can last for the entire day, and the power of the urge to waste myself is very strong.

So, anyone run into this, and if so, how do you deal with it?

sam2

the haircut situation is a tough one since you're pretty much stuck there until they're done with you. Personally, I always carry around my music and headphones so if there is a situation that is triggering I can tune out and listen to something more calming/upbeat/whatever you choose. Which works for normal shopping. (In fact sometimes I just plug in headphones before hand so I don't even have to worry about it haha). Another technique that might work for you is being on the phone. If I'm nervous I call up a family or friend (sometimes multiple) and even if they don't answer I leave them funny voicemail and tell them about my day and that works too.

Unfortunately neither work for the hair thing :/ I guess my only solution idea for that is trying to engage with your hair person and talk to them/try to get them to tell you funny stories about other customers and see if that helps take your mind off it! (This is also why I go to a Korean place to get my hair done since they usually are playing music in their language and so I can't understand it at all hahah).

[Sam2]

Originally Posted by keeprolling

the haircut situation is a tough one since you're pretty much stuck there until they're done with you. Personally, I always carry around my music and headphones so if there is a situation that is triggering I can tune out and listen to something more calming/upbeat/whatever you choose. Which works for normal shopping. (In fact sometimes I just plug in headphones before hand so I don't even have to worry about it haha). Another technique that might work for you is being on the phone. If I'm nervous I call up a family or friend (sometimes multiple) and even if they don't answer I leave them funny voicemail and tell them about my day and that works too.

Unfortunately neither work for the hair thing :/ I guess my only solution idea for that is trying to engage with your hair person and talk to them/try to get them to tell you funny stories about other customers and see if that helps take your mind off it! (This is also why I go to a Korean place to get my hair done since they usually are playing music in their language and so I can't understand it at all hahah).

Thank you for your answer. Except for the music I play on my violin (classical), I try to stay away from music since so many songs trigger it. What you said gave me an idea though. Earplugs. I wear them to sleep in or when i'm watching T.V. to muffle sound. Since the music in stores is generally not that loud, I think they would completely block the music while allowing me to hear other sounds.

I never thought of going somewhere for haircuts that are run by people who may have oriental music. I'll check the phone listings and see if there are any in the area.

Thanks again for you answers. They helped.

sam2

[Curupira]

I have always been very musical. So I sing songs in my head at a counter tempo to what is playing. Mostly it is a simple old folk tune because the melody is catchy so it just sticks in my ear and I can go on autopilot.

Classical music is so fabulous whenever I put on dramaticmusic without lyrics I always feel like I'm in a movie haha. Earplugs is a great idea if you're worried about other people's opinions, you may want to choose ones that don't show as well or cover them with your hair or even get ones skin colored so that they "blend" in. My mom gets lazy and just smushes a bit of kleenex in her ears so you could consider that too!

I would definitely suggest checking out the place first since it really depends on what kind of crowd they cater towards. I've actually recently been getting my hair done by a lady who owns a little booth in a giant group of hairdressers. She has her own radio too so I could totally request a station or bring my own CD/usb/whatever works. If you can find an individual hair person that would definitely work too

I hope it gets easier for you