Can't control the shaking

[deezlife]

I have a hard time talking about my trauma. Whenever I do, I tense up and start shaking uncontrollably. I don't know how to stop the shaking, and it makes me feel even more anxious. I have coping skils, do meditations, and do self-care. Afterwards, it takes me days to get back to normal. Then I just clam up and talk less. My therapist doesn't make me talk and we discuss periphery issues but feel like I'm going no where. I know I should feel my feelings but this is a little over the top. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to deal with this?

[Dolphin14]

deezlife

I think you need a new therapist. Is your therapist specific to trauma? Trauma victims need to talk to process things.

Are you diagnosed with PTSD?

🐬

[deezlife in reply to Dolphin14]

Yes, my therapist does trauma. I don't think I am ready to talk and she is honoring that. I do not have a diagnoses. I am not sure I have enough symptoms.

[Dolphin14 in reply to deezlife]

That's good then, we can't be pushed to talk we have to go through this process slowly. The way I read it was the therapist wasn't giving you a chance to speak. I'm sorry I misread that.

Feeling the feelings is hard and has to be learned. We need to know we are safe before we can open ourselves up.

I hope you find something's that work for you.

[gettingsomewhere]

Hi deezlife

I'm sorry you're struggling. I know for myself that I can go into freeze mode and find speaking difficult. I told my therapist this and we've used other methods such as sand tray, cards and drawing.

I find drawing with my my non dominant hand particularly effective. There's no pressure to produce a master piece! I use different colour sparkly ink pens and have been surprised at the results.

Gradually I've felt safe enough to express myself emotionally, often when I was least expecting it.

I cant comment on the shaking I'm afraid but do get anxious about talking about things, maybe which I"m not ready for or feel pressurised to do?

i hope your therapist can help you ecplore other ways to suit you.

[deezlife in reply to gettingsomewhere]

Thank you! I am trying art therapy but haven't done much art.

[gettingsomewhere in reply to deezlife]

Hi its not really about art but more about expressing yourself in a way that doesn't require speech. Using the non dominant hand gives you a freedom. I went to a well being class a few years ago and the tutor explained its mote about expression not representation.

[Starrlight]

my heart goes out to you 💜 I want to mention there is a HealMyPTSD community on this site which may help.

[deezlife in reply to Starrlight]

Thank you! I'm not diagnosed with PTSD and not sure if I could join that group.

[Starrlight in reply to deezlife]

If you think it could help, you should be a part of it.

[Aimingfor106]

Ugh, this is such an awful experience...I'm sorry. You could definitely benefit from trauma therapy and EMDR. Have you done any trauma therapy? If not, you can look up therapists who specialize in trauma! Regular therapists can only do so much...

I recently went through a trauma recovery program for a month and a half, and there are 2 books they gave us that I would highly recommend:

Growing Yourself Back Up by John Lee

It's Not You, It's What Happened To You by Christine Courtois

Trauma is no joke, and I'm sorry you're struggling with the effects. It's not something to go through alone. Just know that there IS hope...there are ways to find peace. It just takes a lot of work, self love and patience, and using support and resources available.

[Aimingfor106 in reply to Aimingfor106]

p.s. also, when your body is going through a panic like that, try the 5,4,3,2,1 grounding method...Find 5 things you can see, 4 things you can feel, 3 things you can hear, 2 things you can smell, and 1 thing you can taste. It actually works. Also, try freezing lemons and oranges, and when you're having a moment, take one out of the freezer and feel it and smell it...it calms anxiety almost instantly.

[deezlife in reply to Aimingfor106]

Thank you for the book suggestions. I am in therapy but it is hell right now.

[Alpakka123]

I would shake badly when my trauma first happened. I've found that pressure helps calm me (which in turn helps with the shaking). I have a pressure undervest, as well as a pressure belt and weighted blanket.

[deezlife]

I might try the pressure thing. I always love sleeping under heavy blankets.