So if you read my last post, you’ll know I discussed Dream Theater’s Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence CD, which chronicles stories of numerous mental illnesses including PTSD, DID, Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia, post partum depression, and Asperger’s. Previously, when I worked on an inpatient unit, I played About to Crash and provided lyrics during a group. I had clients identify passages in the lyrics (much like what I did in my last post). One girl became very triggered, and we ended up ending the group early, and doing the electric slide and other music to help distract her and not let her slip into a suicidal place. These clients were in the highest level of care facility we have, and so they were acutely experiencing symptoms.
At my current place of work, I think it would be interesting to try this mindfulness exercise again. However, I am definitely cognizant of the fact that it is triggering. It does not trigger me anymore, but I have been stable for almost three years. I think if we’re covering distress tolerance in DBT and emotion regulation, it might be an appropriate mindfulness activity, but I do not want to do this if I feel my group isn’t ready. I know one core group I lead, would not be able to handle it, so I wouldn’t use it with them. My question is, for those of you that have mental illness and follow my blog, would you find this song triggering? If so, what would help you process the trigger?
I’m envisioning playing the song, talking about it, and then providing support for those that need it. In the instance of DBT skills group, we would be going over distress tolerance at the time. Personally, when I heard these songs, they helped me feel less alone, and I was like exactly! This is how I feel!. I’d like others’ opinions. I would not do this without first talking to my supervisor, and I’m still processing this; I may never use this exercise, but I thought it could be interesting for those that are stable enough to appreciate it.
Update:
After thinking more about it, I don’t think I’ll do this except on an individual basis.
I guess it’s like playing a song talking about losing weight and feelin fat to anorexics? Some will get triggered into wanting to engage in old behaviours that they probably are missing. I didn’t find the song triggering personally but if I hear something that is very close to how I am feeling it can set me off. But I believe it is then material to work through so if you can talk about it and sit with it then all will be okay. I dunno. I’m not making much sense sorry …
No you’re making a lot of sense! Did you listen to “Losing Time”?
I like the idea of processing it; that’s my point, in that I wouldn’t trigger someone and NOT talk about it. Maybe one day
In private practice or something.
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