Thursday, May 7, 2015

dbt coping (distract oriented)


go for a walk
play a sport/bike ride/exercise

CONTRIBUTING

COMPARISONS
compare to a worse time you've survived
compare to others who are doing worse than you, consider how they're coping and try to cope the same way, if it's healthy
compare to a time when you weren't coping so well and think how much better off you are now
i don't exactly find this helpful, but that's why there are more letters in the acronym, in case one doesn't work

EMOTIONS
make sure you're creating an emotion opposite or different to the one you're feeling. if you're sad, you wouldn't read the fault in our stars, would you? (maybe you would, to have something different to be sad about, but all i'm saying is use common sense with this one)
read emotional books (make sure they're not triggering)
listen to comedy cds or watch stand up routines on youtube (some comedy routines may be triggering if foul language or sexual humor triggers you, please use discretion)
listen to religious music, if you're into that
listen to emotional music (again, some emotional music can be triggering)

PUSHING AWAY
Build an imaginary wall between yourself and the situation.  Imagine yourself pushing it away with all your strength.
Block the situation in your mind. Each time it comes up, tell it to go away, or put some other thoughts in its place, perhaps some more pleasant thoughts. Refuse to think about it. Try putting the pain on a shelf, or in a box, to contain it and get it out of the way. I use the technique of putting my distress in a locked box on a shelf in a closet. I can get it later, but right now I can let it go.

THOUGHTS
think about something funny, inspiring, or calming
count to fifty, then count backwards from fifty
do a puzzle
read
write poetry
watch movies (links above)

SENSATIONS
put a cool wet wash cloth on the back of your neck or on your forehead
hold ice in your hand
snap a rubber band
take a hot/cold shower
taste something with a very strong taste, such as strong tea or coffee

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