I just left the dissociative program inpatient and on multiple occasions I start to feel dread in public places or even just sitting in my apartment, dread that my parts feel unsafe and unaware of this happening. We spent so much time saying you are in blank blank and you are safe, that it made them feel only blank blank was safe.

I currently have sticky notes hanging up "We are safely at home. It is 2012". All over my place.

It's a really tough night. I tried to lay down, but I was terrified when I woke up I would be back in my hospital bed again, and this was all just one of those dreams you can't pull yourself out of.

That's how it feels, so disconnected that I feel as if I'm dreaming. As if parts of me are in shock that I'm not there and I'm actually here, at home. I will definitely be sleeping with my light on, so that I don't become too disoriented when I wake up to darkness.

If I survive one night I can survive 2. And if I can survive 2, then I can survive 3.

It just happened so fast. I feel so unsafe out here.

[Claritytoo]

Originally Posted by LydiaB

I just left the dissociative program inpatient and on multiple occasions I start to feel dread in public places or even just sitting in my apartment, dread that my parts feel unsafe and unaware of this happening. We spent so much time saying you are in blank blank and you are safe, that it made them feel only blank blank was safe.

I currently have sticky notes hanging up "We are safely at home. It is 2012". All over my place.

It's a really tough night. I tried to lay down, but I was terrified when I woke up I would be back in my hospital bed again, and this was all just one of those dreams you can't pull yourself out of.

That's how it feels, so disconnected that I feel as if I'm dreaming. As if parts of me are in shock that I'm not there and I'm actually here, at home. I will definitely be sleeping with my light on, so that I don't become too disoriented when I wake up to darkness.

If I survive one night I can survive 2. And if I can survive 2, then I can survive 3.

It just happened so fast. I feel so unsafe out here.

Some nights I sleep with the light on so I am not afraid. When I get confused about what day it is or why I am doing something I do something to help ground myself. Sometimes it is music, or holding ice just something that brings me back. Maybe doing something that will ground yourself will help. Feel better.

[Gr3tta]

Thanks for sharing this. I have a horrible fear of going to sleep and waking up in a horror story. So scared I've just been fooling myself.
I agree that grounding techniques can help, but sometimes I struggle anyway.

[possum220]

After being discharged from hospital give yourself a while, couple of weeks, to really settle back into where you are now. I find that putting the radio and a light on after nightmares helps to settle. Were your medications changed?

If I am unsettled when trying to go to sleep I put the radio on very low.
I also tell myself about my surroundings over and over to pull myself back to reality.

It not easy... but you will settle back in. Be kind to yourself. Tell your Therapist about things if they dont get better.

Take Care of Yourself,

[anderson]

sending safe thoughts to all those within you!
we hope you can do grounding skills, calling your T is good if you feel safe with her she can help you and remind you of the skills that you worked on together.

It took a couple days but everyone is more calmed down and feels more safe. I thought I took ample time trying to internally communicate about how we would be d/c. But some were still very surprised to learn they weren't in the hospital anymore.

[WePow]

Communication internally has to be something that takes on the highest priority.
I know that some alters only want to hide away. Other alters like to "hog" the "air-time". But it is important to try to bring all the alters into one "room" as much as you can. Allow yourself to mentally visualize that "safe" room. Every alter there is to be respected and has a voice. And they are to respect all the other alters.

Once you learn how to encourage the alters to come together in this safe way, they will start to be able to rely more on each other for some of the basic information needs - such as what time is it and where are we.