Coping Box

[MoonGal]

My coping box has the entire set of the Harry Potter movies. 

I shared on a new thread - that I called The Toolkit about the psychological tools I use to help myself, and manage my various conditons arising. @Former-Member suggested I replicate that post here in this fantastic thread "Coping Box" post started by @Crazy_Bug_Lady.

I have not brought across the whole post which had some autobiographical content about my Bi Polar (have a read if you like at The Toolkit )

So here's the tool...

THE SILVER DIAL

One thing I use is if I feel I am ramping up into hypomania or sliding terribly into melancholia is THE SILVER DIAL. 
I imagine a big silver dial with High, Medium, Low and Off on it and I imagine in my mind's eye turning it (and thus my mood/emotion/energy level) down (or up) to midway 'Medium". I also use it too when in the PTSD moments of flashbacks, or intruding suicidal thoughts - I grab that dial (in my mind's eye) and turn it to OFF.

I am always looking out for new helpful methods, so would appreciate any sharing of things others do to help themselves that I could pack into my toolkit for future use.

[CannonSalt]

I'd like to put in a bubble blowing kit - soap, a bucket or two, a hose and different kinds of bubble wands for bubbles of all sizes. 😄

I'd also like to put in The Litany Against Fear.  I modify it slightly for myself and try to remember it when I am overwhelmed.

[Billamba]

I love this idea. I don't have a coping box as such but I do have things I use. Unfortunately when I'm really down, having suicidal thoughts or eating disorder issues I often forget some of my coping things so I'm really thinking making a specific and literal 'coping box' would be an awesome idea. Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this thread - there's certainly a lot of ideas I will be pinching! 

My coping things are;

tissues

wool and knitting needles

paper and pen

a good outback romance style book

adult colouring in book and coloured pencils

nail polish

a rubber band (if I'm really bad I will put this around my wrist and continuously flick it - gives a sense of punishment that's non harming)

quotes that my friends or family have said about me to remind me that I am a good person and I am loved even though I don't always feel like I am.

photos of my friends/family/animals and me.

[Abiel]

wow @MoonGal I love the silver dial tip.  It sounds like it will work pretty well and I think I'll give it a go!

Hugs ((()))

Abiel

[Terry]

Tell your shrink to get lost.  People who are feeling really down need human connection and kindness.  Call lifeline (131114) or get someone (if you can) to sit with you while you have a cry and a cup of tea with a blanket around your shoulders.  Keep calling lifeline if you don't get satisfaction the first time. Try a mental health drop-in centre or the salvo's for a supportive shoulder to cry on.  writing your stuff down can be a great way to share it directly with God, and is healing.  Hugging a pillow while you sleep can help, as can self-nurturing through chocolate and bubble-baths etc.  or get online at a forum and have a whinge.  get through any way you can.  Darned stupid shrinks 😞

not that a coping box sounds like a bad idea, but people who are really languishing usually need human connection, kind, caring human connection.  tell your shrink to shove it.

[Crazy_Bug_Lady]

@Terry the idea is to distract from SI or SH thoughts, and by distracting give myself a chance to put what I have learnt into action.

Obviously if the thoughts are completely overwhelming I would call or text a friend or one of my treatment team.

However, if I am thinking of SH, I go to my coping box. It distracts me so I can calm down enough to fill out a Thought Record.

[SCORPION]

Probably not really for the coping box but was just feeling down a bit as I do at this time of the year. 

But though how great it would be to go to a coffee shop have an ice cold coffee and have puppy,s to pat.

Ill put that as a thought in the box.

Scorpion

[MoonGal]

@mathewjakendise - That's awesome. One of my coping things is to get invovled in looking outwards and helping small NGO's with fundraising and graphic design work. It helps to be 'other' focussed for long periods of time, so many hard things in ourselves that we have to 'deal' with. Like the playground builders, do you donate or help them out in other ways?

[AmiRemixed]

Wow what a delicious thread this is, felt all happy and mushy reading all your posts!

[Shaz51]

I agree @AmiRemixed, loved reading all your comments @Crazy_Bug_Lady. @MoonGal, @mathewjakendise, @SCORPION, @NikNik, @CherryBomb

Coping Box is a great idea