Dealing with delusions

Ceara1010 · May 03, 2021 at 05:57 PM

I daily deal with delusional intrusions that try to pull me into full on psychosis and I was wondering how people here deal with delusions. I read an essay by Jason Jepson in which he says he uses blinders like on a horse to keep them from sending him into psychotic episodes. At least once a day, I get triggered by an intrusion and I'll try to calm myself practicing DBT, particularly distraction (reading, music). DBT is for anxiety and psychosis is an anxiety disorder so they work well together.

I'm interested in what people do here to deal with intrusions that try to send them into psychosis, if anyone is comfortable sharing about this. It would really help me to hear your ideas.

thanks, Ceara

WastingAsparagus · May 03, 2021 at 06:02 PM

I deal with intrusive thoughts and racing thoughts a lot. Delusions, if I still have them, I am not as aware of them anymore.

What helps me is mindfulness/meditation with those sorts of things. I know it probably sounds hard to sit down and meditate when you're having such thoughts, but building up my meditation/mindfulness practice has really helped me accept the thoughts I have and let go of them (to the degree I can).

I used to think the meds controlled everything, but they don't.

I feel like grounding exercises would help, too. Like splashing cold water on your face (holding your breath, maybe). This is a suggestion I got from a DBT group.

Also there's a technique just to identify like 5 things you see, really take them in, and also 4 things you can feel, 3 things you can hear, 2 things you can smell, and 1 thing you can taste (it helps to have gum or mints on hand). These are some of the things I've tried in the past and they seem to help me cope.

Hope that's somewhat helpful.

Ceara1010 · May 03, 2021 at 06:09 PM

Yes! Very helpful! I have not heard of the the last exercise you mention (5,4,3.2....) I'll give that a try.

ShaneG · May 10, 2021 at 11:58 AM

Try live in tower view, you'll realise there not delusions !

Ceara1010 · May 14, 2021 at 10:43 AM

I got triggered this morning by the number 2 set in my kitchen timer. (The number 2 has been a triggering element for me for a long time although I don't know what it's supposed to mean.) I'd forgotten I set it myself the night before and for a minute I thought someone broke into my apartment and set the timer. But I told myself I must have done it and an hour or so later I remembered I'd set it myself when I was making Jello. So this is all good that I managed this trigger but now I'm anxious as it can take awhile for me to calm down after I get triggered. Time for some DBT I think.

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Ceara1010 Poohbah Member Since May 2016 Location: Texas USA Posts: 1,168 7 1,121 hugs given	May 03, 2021 at 06:09 PM #3 Yes! Very helpful! I have not heard of the the last exercise you mention (5,4,3.2....) I'll give that a try. __________________ Men wanted for hazardous journey. Small wages, bitter cold, long hours of complete darkness. Safe return doubtful. Honour and recognition in event of success. -Ernest Shackleton
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ShaneG Account Suspended Member Since Jul 2020 Location: Unknown Posts: 707 3 371 hugs given	May 10, 2021 at 11:58 AM #4 Try live in tower view, you'll realise there not delusions !
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