[Patagonia]

How do you deal w/them? What are they like for you? How do you get rid of them? Do you notice a trigger w/them?

Recently I've been waking from horrible nightmares going Into these very painful body memories in my pelvis, chest & my hands go numb. I understand cellular memory as my T explains it but I have problems getting thru this. She just tells me to breath. Sometimes I have trouble standing up straight. Is that normal? How long does it go on for? Will calling my T help at all or am I on my own?
Thanks

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[celtic.starlite]

Hi Patagonia,
Unfortunately, I don't have answers for you, but I was just questioning this same thing today. I'm trying figure out if what I've been experiencing last night and today are body memories. I will have to wait until my session at the end of this coming week and ask my T.
I'm just glad to know I'm not the only one questioning this. Thanks for posting this.

Be well,

Celtic

I have used grounding techniques for body memories.
My T tells me that if I am experiencing either a flashback or body memory, to do progressive muscle relaxation. Which is a part of being mindful of your body.
What I do is say to myself, "My feet feel heavy and warm" and repeat that until my feet really feel heavy and warm and I work my way up my body until I am brought back into reality completely.
It doesn't really help for the pain, but it does help to get through it.

[Rainbowfairy]

My body memories are mainly during sexual activity, although I also have unexplained pelvic pain and vaginal bleeding (had a barrage of tests, but no cause) that I suspect are related.

Sometimes during certain sexual activities I will have a physical feeling of swelling - not the kind you feel from arousal - this feels like certain body parts are ripping and exploding - it is overwhelming, and physically painful. The activity is not rough, nor unwanted, and with a loving partner who knows my history. The first time I experienced this was when I was taught to orgasm, I think I was between 6 and 9 years old - I don't have chronological memory for that time of life - and the feeling I just described above is how that felt when my body was too small to handle it. So, I think my body remembers the feeling, yet forgets it is not too small for it any more.

My psychologist recommended a book to me that you may find interesting, it's called "The Body Remembers". I haven't read it yet, been too busy, so I cannot comment, but my psychologist's suggestions are usually spot-on.

I get this all the time. I usually take a shower , which sounds stupidly simple but for me it relaxes my body, and it gives me a feeling of control. Either that, or I wear lots of layers so no skin is exposed and I feel wrapped up and safe.

Mindfulness exercises could help you - counting all the red things in the room, mentally describing the room to yourself, making up a story in your head, reading a book, jotting down all your thoughts then tearing them up into the bin.

[Purple Heart]

Hi Patagonia

I have body memories too and they can be very intense sensations often leading to panic attacks. A good T will tell you that you need to allow those sensations to be experience, don't block them. My T tells me that I need to let the body memories or trauma rise up through my body. If you stop it from reaching your conscious mind, you won't get it out of your system. Basically you have to feel the horrible emotions attached to the body memories. It is painful but the only way to gain better mental health and ultimately heal from past traumas. I suggests you speak to your T further about this.

[Symboline]

My T says the same as Purple Hearts T although he is quite cautious about the after effects and how it affects me psychologically. I had a bad body memory during therapy in my last session but having my T there really helped as he talked and reassured me through it. I also have a shower as I find the water quite calming and cleansing.

[ThisWayOut]

I'm actually having a lot of trouble with them today... have not yet figured out how to safely ride them out without support. :/