[nottrustin]

For those who have worked on grounding techniques. What Re some of the things that work for you. Over the next couple of appointments Emdr T and I will be working on this. couple of things we found are:

* drinking hot tea in a clear cup, there is something about see the water change color, the steam, heat smell and taste that is relaxing to me.

* coffee from my favorite chain coffee shop. Other coffees are okay but their is something about this specific diff and their cup

* occasionally music works

* occassionally reading works.
What have you found works for you?? One of my issues is if something doesn't work when I try it I feel like a failure and get frustrated and angry with myself.

[velcro003]

I have found that using the 5 senses works. It takes me out of my head

5 things you can see
4 things you can hear
3 things you can feel
2 things you can smell
1 thing you can taste/have tasted recently

Counting X # of things in a room

Walking

I went on a walk for a grounding rock, which was fun and took me out of my head.

[PurpleBlur]

Originally Posted by nottrustin

For those who have worked on grounding techniques. What Re some of the things that work for you. Over the next couple of appointments Emdr T and I will be working on this. couple of things we found are:

* drinking hot T in a clear cup, there is something about see the water change color, the steam, heat smell and taste that is relaxing to me.

* coffee from my favorite chain coffee shop. Other coffees are okay but their is something about this specific diff and their cup

* occasionally music works

* occassionally reading works.
What have you found works for you?? One of my issues is if something doesn't work when I try it I feel like a failure and get frustrated and angry with myself.

i have this lava rock essential oils bracelet- it holds the scent a few days and is very helpful to focus on when I need grounding. Smells in general help. The feel of things under me (furniture) on me (clothing, weighted blanket) also help.


everything wont work every time- thats why you add several tools to your toolbox. dont get discouraged! you can do it!

[nottrustin]

Originally Posted by velcro003

I have found that using the 5 senses works. It takes me out of my head

5 things you can see
4 things you can hear
3 things you can feel
2 things you can smell
1 thing you can taste/have tasted recently

Counting X # of things in a room

Walking

I went on a walk for a grounding rock, which was fun and took me out of my head.

Can you explain the grounding rock a little more?

[WarmFuzzySocks]

I put both feet flat on the floor, literally grounding myself. I ask myself, Where are my feet? then intentionally feel them in my shoes, in my socks, against the ground.

I put both fists against my belly-one at the bottom of my rib cage and the other directly below it- and sing. It's actually a singing exercise my kids do in choir, and I think it works because it makes me put my shoulders back (greater air flow) and draws my attention/physical sensation to the center of my body. Plus singing.

I go outside if I can. Anywhere out of doors that has trees and sky.

[nottrustin]

Originally Posted by WarmFuzzySocks

I put both feet flat on the floor, literally grounding myself. I ask myself, Where are my feet? then intentionally feel them in my shoes, in my socks, against the ground.

I put both fists against my belly-one at the bottom of my rib cage and the other directly below it- and sing. It's actually a singing exercise my kids do in choir, and I think it works because it makes me put my shoulders back (greater air flow) and draws my attention/physical sensation to the center of my body. Plus singing.

I go outside if I can. Anywhere out of doors that has trees and sky.

T talked about how walking works for her. She pays attention to the feeling of her feet hitting the floor. This especially work when she worked at a mental health clinic and she was having a stressful day.

[seeker33]

For me it's 54321 exercise, tea and coffee, grounding, massaging my body, doing stretching, strength exercise, breathing, going for a walk, tapping or massaging accupressure points on my chest...Different things work in different situations for me, it's not always effective. Sometimes I need to try a few of these before one works.

[SalingerEsme]

Petting my dog, especially his silky ears
repeating Jon Kabat Zinn line "wherever you are, that's where you are" in my mind over and over
splashing my face with cold water
Coffee in a specific travel mug
Nadaam blanket
Hot shower

[ChickenNoodleSoup]

- Putting feet on the floor and feeling the floor. Putting hands on the chair, armrest, or touching anything else, feeling what I touch. Describe what either the floor or the thing I touch feels like.

- Counting everything in the room that's a certain color.

- Touching different objects and comparing their temperature

- eating something and concentrate on the texture and taste, trying to describe both as accurately as possible

- deep breathing, taking deep, slow breaths, concentrating on what the air feels like flowing through my throat and into/out of my lungs

[nottrustin]

These are awesome, thank you.

[TishaBuv]

When I become aware my emotions have escalated, get away from the confrontation and go somewhere to be alone, breathe, remember this feeling will pass, remember I do not truly want to run away, remember this has happened many times before and I eventually feel better and secure, breathe, think about something happy, feel the intensity of the panic lessen, breathe, think about something else, return to ground

[velcro003]

Originally Posted by nottrustin

Can you explain the grounding rock a little more?

We went for a walk (this was inpatient), and basically searched for a rock that feels right. For me, it had to have a certain “heft” to it, the right shape-preferably not be ugly.When I found it, she had me notice all the colors in it, draw it, and basically keep it when I need grounding. Squeezing it helps. I keep it in my pocket at work every day. Some days I don’t even remember it’s there, other days I am constantly holding it in my pocket, or i’ll tske it out for a minute and squeeze it. Since i am a teacher of toddlers, they always root through my pockets . I just tell them it’s my special rock, and they get it. Two year olds LOVE collecting rocks.

Originally Posted by nottrustin

T talked about how walking works for her. She pays attention to the feeling of her feet hitting the floor. This especially work when she worked at a mental health clinic and she was having a stressful day.

Yeah that helps me too.

[TrailRunner14]

I struggle with this. There are things that have worked for me one time and then when I try to use it again it always doesn’t work.

Getting up and walking around has usually helped me. My counselor has pictures in his office and walking around looking at them intently helps.

Tapping has helped me and the breathing has helped. I also feel like if it doesn’t work then I’ve done something wrong, if my counselor suggests it.

Bare feet on the carpet, feeling the texture, and also touching things around me and noticing their texture.

I wish I could tell you something that would work every time. I wish I had something every time instead of grabbing at straws.

The grounding rock sounds like a great idea!

[nottrustin]

[QUOTE=velcro003;6278388]We went for a walk (this was inpatient), and basically searched for a rock that feels right. For me, it had to have a certain “heft” to it, the right shape-preferably not be ugly.When I found it, she had me notice all the colors in it, draw it, and basically keep it when I need grounding. Squeezing it helps. I keep it in my pocket at work every day. Some days I don’t even remember it’s there, other days I am constantly holding it in my pocket, or i’ll tske it out for a minute and squeeze it. Since i am a teacher of toddlers, they always root through my pockets . I just tell them it’s my special rock, and they get it. Two year olds LOVE collecting rocks.


I love it

[velcro003]

[QUOTE=nottrustin;6278545]

Originally Posted by velcro003

We went for a walk (this was inpatient), and basically searched for a rock that feels right. For me, it had to have a certain “heft” to it, the right shape-preferably not be ugly.When I found it, she had me notice all the colors in it, draw it, and basically keep it when I need grounding. Squeezing it helps. I keep it in my pocket at work every day. Some days I don’t even remember it’s there, other days I am constantly holding it in my pocket, or i’ll tske it out for a minute and squeeze it. Since i am a teacher of toddlers, they always root through my pockets . I just tell them it’s my special rock, and they get it. Two year olds LOVE collecting rocks.


I love it

[Seelenna1982]

I don’t know what it is about grounding techniques, but if I’m in a fine happy non dissociative state, I think they totally make sense and are great. But if I’m in panic or dissociation, I HATE being asked to ground myself. It makes me furious, if I force myself to try it, it doesn’t work. But then what’s the point of grounding when your fine!!! Maybe I just haven’t found my ‘thing’ yet.

[nottrustin]

Originally Posted by Seelenna1982

I don’t know what it is about grounding techniques, but if I’m in a fine happy non dissociative state, I think they totally make sense and are great. But if I’m in panic or dissociation, I HATE being asked to ground myself. It makes me furious, if I force myself to try it, it doesn’t work. But then what’s the point of grounding when your fine!!! Maybe I just haven’t found my ‘thing’ yet.

THIS!!! I have told her a few times that it all makes sense and works wonderful when I am calm and at baseline. When I disasociate or having an anxiety attack. I am unable to switch my brain and think about the techniques.. It seems that if we are able think and process things and then pick something else if it fails, then I am pretty damn present and able to function.

[TrailRunner14]

Originally Posted by Seelenna1982

I don’t know what it is about grounding techniques, but if I’m in a fine happy non dissociative state, I think they totally make sense and are great. But if I’m in panic or dissociation, I HATE being asked to ground myself. It makes me furious, if I force myself to try it, it doesn’t work. But then what’s the point of grounding when your fine!!! Maybe I just haven’t found my ‘thing’ yet.

Thank you for posting that it makes you furious.

It makes me angry, internally, too but I didn’t understand why and thought it was just me. When I’m not in a good state of mind, it just doesn’t work the same.

[Seelenna1982]

I’m glad to know we’re not alone. Maybe it’s something that will improve the further along we get in our work. Id like to know if my T dissociates or has panic/flashbacks, and if grounding works for her then. I’ll ask her this week. To md it’s like seeing a child in a total meltdown and asking them to calm down....

[nottrustin]

Originally Posted by Seelenna1982

I’m glad to know we’re not alone. Maybe it’s something that will improve the further along we get in our work. Id like to know if my T dissociates or has panic/flashbacks, and if grounding works for her then. I’ll ask her this week. To md it’s like seeing a child in a total meltdown and asking them to calm down....

EMDR T brought up some of the techniques that work for her when she is really stressed and can't shut down heart thoughts. Not sure what her definition of really stressed is

[TrailRunner14]

Originally Posted by Seelenna1982

To md it’s like seeing a child in a total meltdown and asking them to calm down....

I so agree with this!!

I’ve really never thought of it that way but it makes perfect sense.

[InkyBooky]

Originally Posted by nottrustin

THIS!!! I have told her a few times that it all makes sense and works wonderful when I am calm and at baseline. When I disasociate or having an anxiety attack. I am unable to switch my brain and think about the techniques.. It seems that if we are able think and process things and then pick something else if it fails, then I am pretty damn present and able to function.

Glad I'm not alone. I just left my T's office and tried (unsucesfully due to my own lack of assertiveness) to tell her this exact thing! I actually feel so angry and frustrated with her right now. Probably misplaced anger and frustration but I don't even care! I want to scream.

If a little tapping, breathing, and a meditation app was all it took to stop one of those horrific, psychotic, dissociative, confusion, panic, terror states that strike in the middle of the damn night....doesn't she think I would've figured that out by now!?

It's easy for someone who has never experienced such a thing to offer up all the helpful suggestions in the world. I know they are only trying to help, but I'd like to see them so handily use their little "toolbox of skills" in the midst of being so shattered and terrified that they're dripping in sweat, heart pounding, death hovering, and so mind-f***** that it's hard to even remember their own name, current location, time/place in space, or even know where reality ends and begins.

Ugh. rant over. Sorry. and thanks for listening.

[nottrustin]

Inky, vent away it is so frustrating. EMDR T insists that will time and practice it will get easier. I am trying to trust what she says but right now it is hard to imagine.

[TrailRunner14]

Originally Posted by InkyBooky

Glad I'm not alone. I just left my T's office and tried (unsucesfully due to my own lack of assertiveness) to tell her this exact thing! I actually feel so angry and frustrated with her right now. Probably misplaced anger and frustration but I don't even care! I want to scream.

If a little tapping, breathing, and a meditation app was all it took to stop one of those horrific, psychotic, dissociative, confusion, panic, terror states that strike in the middle of the damn night....doesn't she think I would've figured that out by now!?

It's easy for someone who has never experienced such a thing to offer up all the helpful suggestions in the world. I know they are only trying to help, but I'd like to see them so handily use their little "toolbox of skills" in the midst of being so shattered and terrified that they're dripping in sweat, heart pounding, death hovering, and so mind-f***** that it's hard to even remember their own name, current location, time/place in space, or even know where reality ends and begins.

Ugh. rant over. Sorry. and thanks for listening.

I agree and feel everything you said!