[Kaioken]

Is there anything that soothes you when you first come out of an episode? (Scent, sounds?)

music, music alters alpha brain wave patterns. looking back, was there some song or group that you can use a "paired association" with ? pair the musical flashback with something that made you feel good, or safe. Abraham Maslow said our first need to be met is always the need for safety. Once we feel safe again, then we can move on.

I know it sounds silly but I think of my crazy cat. Just the thought of him makes me smile. He's such a bad kitteh... and I love him.

If it's really bad, though, on the weekend, I stay home until I feel strong enough to come out. Or if it's a work day, I try to stay at my desk in my office as much as possible.

[jax01]

computer games. if i focus on the game theres no room for anything else.

[Mogie]

Originally Posted by Kaioken

Is there anything that soothes you when you first come out of an episode? (Scent, sounds?)

Oranges always work to sooth me, just the citrus smell. Also, simple things like a shower, a walk, some favorite music. I like binaural tones/music that always works for me.

[Open Eyes]

If I have a bad day I take a time out. I go to my room and put on the fan to make a soothing noise that drowns out other noises. I sit on my bed and take the hair dryer and blow warm air on my legs and feet and face for a while. (it is proven the heat soothes as our bodies warm and then cool our body relaxes). I also have a heating pad on and after I warm my legs and body, I actually calm down and then I lay down warm and in my quilt and cuddle with the heating pad and rest. I don't always sleep I just let my brain totally relax, almost like meditation only laying down and cozy.

I also use the above method every night at bed time, it helps me relax so I can sleep.

Often I lay down for anywhere from 45 minutes to about an hour and I am usually ready to get up and try again.

If that doesn't work, and usually it does, I grab the lawn mower and mow the lawn for a while, I have even grabbed to leaf blower and gone in my back woods to blow leaves. Both those activites have a constant noise to them which really shuts out all other noises and the activity probably helps burn off the anxiety while also again warming up my body by being active and it again leds to calming down.

Always remember when the body warms up and then cools that always creates a calm.

Open Eyes

Wish I had something I could turn to when I'm going nuts. The one and only thing is cry my heart out, then I feel sick, then I just lock myself away (if I'm at work, then the bathroom or whatever where I'm alone).

It's like this horrible cycle.

[carrie_ann]

my teddy bear

[Cotton ball]

This may sound strange but when alone or when my little one is sleeping I clean. I take an area of the house like my bathroom and start there. I shut my mind off and just do. If I'm really upset I'll scrub the hell out of my bathtub, slowly moving to other areas of the bathroom. Floors, organizing cabinets, ect. Shutting my mind off and moving slowly...by the time it subsides I will normally have an organized and clean space which will ultimately make me feel better in the long run.
If with my little one we take walks.. Normally after 20 minutes I have regrouped and have the attention to stop and play with him. This also makes me feel good.
I used to try and read but find it impossible to concentrate at these times.
I hope you find something that works for you.

[likewater]

I got triggered at the park and had my Godson with me. I just kept praying and breathing. I was praying that the thing that was triggering me would stop. I started screaming my prayer in my head, and then it did. Once it stopped,i had immediate relief. If it hadnt, i would have had to leave the park.

[likewater]

So, prayer. Prayer works for me a lot. It will take me out of disspciation and nightmares sometimes. Eft works for me too.

[AngelWolf3]

I try to take deep breaths and close my eyes, but usually I end up freaking out and hide somewhere til it passes. (I relate to 1982 on this one). I have found this thread helpful, I will have to try some of these techniques since i don't really have any!

[Fhawn]

Is there anything that soothes you when you first come out of an episode? (Scent, sounds?)

At work I had to take a break. Get some water. Walk around and shake it off. My husband worked with me at the same place. If there was time I would call him and vent. Then get back to work..

I love scented candles, a warm shower then get in my pajamas and relax

Some days it’s a nap to shake it off

And unfortunately medication…but it works for me at this point.

[AngelWolf3]

Originally Posted by Fhawn

Is there anything that soothes you when you first come out of an episode? (Scent, sounds?)

I was thinking about it, and actually, strangely enough, peppermint seems to soothe me. I realized I have a bottle of peppermint lotion by Avalon Organics that I keep in the office to soothe me. Wow. Good question! Thanks!

[Spiderlegs]

Originally Posted by Kaioken

Is there anything that soothes you when you first come out of an episode? (Scent, sounds?)

Cigarettes! My standby to break the cycle of despair or shock was always tobacco, but I had to quit because of so many health problems, especially the lung problem I aquired after buying this house infested with mold..(NO, my inspector didn't see it!) so I'm searching for something else! For the moment its food, the few things that I can eat...I've become sensitive to all chemicals, additives, even sugars.

[Spiderlegs]

Originally Posted by Wolfin3

I was thinking about it, and actually, strangely enough, peppermint seems to soothe me. I realized I have a bottle of peppermint lotion by Avalon Organics that I keep in the office to soothe me. Wow. Good question! Thanks!

Me too, Wofin3, I forgot about peppermint...it's also wonderful for your digestion! I have to take it because of 'fructose intollerance'.

[AngelWolf3]

I didn't know that about peppermint being good for digestion! that's great! Thanks!