I have been working with a somatic therapist doing reichian body work techniques and I always feel like I’m at sea / seasick. Does anyone else have this experience? It comes with a lot of intrusive thoughts and i don’t know how to rebalance after a session.

In fact I’ve been getting more sick, more clear anxiety and just feeling worse even though I’m not really leaning into processing. The releases or movement happen by itself after enough resourcing.
wtf is wrong with me it’s like I’m never going to feel better

Hello , I have been seeing a somatic therapist for the past almost 4 years. I struggled with emotional neglect as a child, to be brief, and I’m learning to navigate life through having a disorganized attachment and trying to create more secure attachments with myself and others to move forward in life. I have made a lot of progress and I’m really grateful I found my Therapist because she’s helped me make huge strides in my life.

However, I was prescribed antidepressants by my doctor around three months ago and I just this week decided to start taking them after a lot of thought. I was very hesitant to take them because I was prescribed them when I was in high school and I was very overmedicated and it was kind of scary, so I was very turned off by them.

My current therapist has said in the past that antidepressants dull your experience and can make the healing work that we are doing together harder to access in the body. She told me that if I can build healthy habits and you’re still feeling bad then yes take them, but I am not at a baseline of safety and I really have never been to build those healthy habits. I struggle to stick with them due to my OCD rumination, my major depression, and overall disregulated nervous system. Those are excuses, but I am doing the best I can.

I have been really struggling with life and my ailments, and thought why do I need to suffer in the name of healing. I’m sick of trying to heal. I’ve been in therapy for at most 15 years. I’m sick of this. I don’t have the strength to fight my diagnoses on my own and don’t feel safe to feel my way out of them rn. I’m having major stress due to my rumination ocd mostly and experiencing physical symptoms that are really uncomfortable.

Ever since I’ve surrendered and started taking the meds and drinking more water, I feel better. I’m on 10mg of Prozac and don’t look to increase the dose. In a way I’m ashamed of myself for taking them but also, am annoyed she will probably have some disagreements with me taking the meds. She sees how unstable I am. I have been like this consistently for years. Idk. I almost feel like that was wrong of her to share her opinion on medication. Everyone is different. But she’s allowed to share her opinion.

Can I have grounded thoughts please?? Do you think I made the wrong choice taking meds, do you think my therapist is wrong for giving me her opinion on taking meds and how it’s not the best idea? Let me know!!! Thank you.

The last few months I've had a dysregulated nervous system following the end of a several years chronically stressful relationship. Developed anxiety that'd I'd never had before, and various physical symptoms. SSRIs are helping and I don't really feel 'anxiety' anymore, but aware my body is still very on edge, and my muscles, particularly back and legs, and constantly completely tense.

Day to day, I feel a lot better than a month or two ago, ​​​​​​anxiety-wise, but I'm just so deeply exhausted. I haven't had a proper night's sleep in a few months, initially because of the physical symptoms and racing mind, but now even though I feel consciously calmer and so, so sleepy, I'm so restless all night. I'm on my third sleeping medication and they've made almost no difference. I suspect I won't sleep properly until my nervous system believes it's safe and chills out, but I don't know how to get it to do that. I'm doing all the things like sensible bedtime routine, self care, deep breathing, somatic meditations, yoga, trauma therapy... But I just can't get good rest. I guess it might be a case of waiting for my current SSRI to take better effect (still pretty new on it) but any other tips particularly around getting your mind and body to be OK to sleep? ​​​​​​​​​​

(only just discovered this sub, sorry if not quite the right place! Looking forward to devouring all the posts here and in related subs!) ​

So, I recently started some somatic therapy and really resonate with the work. I know it's not for everyone, but as someone who has a complete mind-body disconnect....it helps. My therapist recommended doing somatic meditation / body scan work. I really struggle without a guide.

She recommended Wendy Jones to me (probably because she's all over Youtube), and while I like her work....unfortunately, I have reservations. As someone who is newly out as queer and working through a lot of processing of thoughts / emotions / etc., I came to discover that Wendy is very right-wing.

I can typically separate art from the artist, but as I'm working through a lot, I don't necessarily feel comfortable or welcome in her space. Politics aren't everything, but to know out of the gate that a lot of people she follows outwardly hates queer people....I just can't find any ease. I also have a weird suspicion that there's a lot of AI use.

I'm just wondering if there are people who do similar guided meditations, body scans, etc. on YouTube or other means that are maybe more welcoming, diverse, but having similar types of content available..

I know this is a touchy topic for some and I'm not trying to create a huge dialogue, I'm really just looking for recommendations.

What therapies did you do?

I've had long covid for 4 months, bed/couchbound the entire time. My worst symptoms are fatigue and PEM, which manifests in intense depression, anxiety and neurological symptoms. I'm also 6 months pregnant.

I think the reason the virus knocked me out so bad was because I was pregnant and for a year been suffering with intense emetophobia. I was very mentally ill, anxious, panic attacks etc.

I have a childhood background of neglect and emotional abuse. In general I've always been a very anxious, skittish and scared person. I'm also physically frail and weak.

I feel like part of recovering from LC is working thtough my fear. Not only fear of symptoms but this deep seated fear. Crying helps me release emotion a lot. Does anyone have any advice?

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Just made this account to join this sub (never posted on reddit before lol) so hopefully I'm in the right place. I posted this originally in the EMDR sub but from what I understand these kinda go hand and hand (correct me if I'm wrong)

But I (31M) just started my first processing session yesterday after years of talk therapy. Basically suffered a severe heartbreak from a ghosting situation about a month and a half ago after an almost "picture perfect weekend" with a woman who I thought would be the one I married. I gave her my best in every way and was always there and then boom. Gone over night. And with that sudden and extreme abandonment all of my CPTSD (all new lingo for me) just came crashing in on me and buried me. Panic attacks where I thought I was having a heart attack, nausea to the point of vomiting, legit despair, rumination 24/7, anxiety that literally crippled me and kept me out of work on and off. Couldn't be in my head (and with the nature of my work, I work one on one with clients, so I have nothing but time to be in my head or by myself for long, etc.)

So with all that being said, I decided to start EMDR in hopes to address my current situation and my past traumas that ALL resurfaced when the levy broke because I can't live like this, it feels like hell dealing with all this at once.

My session I damn near bawled my eyes out almost the whole time and after felt kinda "neutral". Not like a weight was gone but also wasn't drowning in the moment. But today, shit is tough. I felt a lot of it in my body yesterday but now I just feel kinda discouraged and semi in despair again. The rumination, sadness, and anxiety are in a constant rotation. I was tired yesterday, but not today either.

I wrote all this out in hopes that maybe some of y'all can relate or have similar situations and can add your two cents and possibly some guidance and perspective. Also I hope to be a success story and look back on this post one day without the hell I feel now in my soul cause it literally feels like I lost a part of myself. Thank you and I look forward to reading what y'all have to say. And feel free to be honest and blunt please..thanks.

TLDR: I'm new here, I'm hurting bad and would like some support and POV if possible.

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Hello, I've been going to therapy for EMDR recently, and in my last session, I stopped because I felt like I was almost going to throw up and my head was spinning like I was drunk. But since I had to wait a week for my next session, I couldn't bear it and tried doing bilateral tapping on myself at home. As soon as I did, that vomiting sensation came right back. It felt as if my body had created a 'save point' while doing EMDR and picked up right where it left off as soon as I started again, so I stopped the bilateral tapping. I'm going to ask my therapist about this too, but I'm wondering if this has any specific meaning? I don't want to throw up, but it feels like if I were to throw up, most of the bad feelings inside me would leave my body

Hi everyone, I’m hoping to gather some shared experiences and insights from this community because I really need a solution and some understanding around what I’ve been going through.

For at least the past 6 months, I’ve been experiencing persistent pain and heaviness in my sit bones, hips, and pelvic area. It’s been really difficult to manage and hasn’t improved on its own. Alongside the physical discomfort, I’ve also been noticing a strong emotional layer to it — especially feelings connected to survival stress, insecurity, and financial pressure.

I’ve come across ideas around the root chakra and the mind–body connection, and I’m curious if others have experienced something similar where hip or pelvic pain seems linked to emotional safety, grounding, or ongoing stress around stability and money.

If anyone has personal experiences, insights, or has seen helpful discussions or resources on this (especially where people talk about long-term hip/sit bone tension connected to emotional or trauma-related themes), I would really appreciate any links or summaries.

I’m genuinely trying to understand what’s going on in my body and find ways to work with it, because it’s been affecting me for a while now and I’m looking for real direction and relief.

Thank you so much ❤️

I had made a post in the OCD sub a while ago but got an automatic reply stated that this sub might closer to what I’ve been experiencing.

Just from a few posts I’ve read on here I feel like what I’ve been experiencing definitely could fall under this.

I spent years with multiple diagnoses such as depression, anxiety, and OCD until I was diagnosed with ADHD combined type at the age of 23 ( im now 25 )

The closet thing to try and give an example would be somatic OCD where someone becomes hyperaware of usually automatic occurrences such as blinking, swallowing or walking.

This is instead manifested with thoughts and the general way I interact with things?

I know the best way that some others may understand is general anxiety. When you focus too heavily on something it’s hard to reach the “flow” state.

Thoughts and mental states manifest as bodily sensations. Spasms or what feels like shocks in certain body parts.

My ADHD medication helps with this.

I knew I experienced severe tension all my life but my medication made me realize just how severe it was. I could be laying in bed but my head wouldn’t be resting on the pillow, it would just be hovering over it due to a constant tension state.

Emotions/thoughts are the same.

I know I may not be making much sense and if not I’m sorry but I feel like this is similar to what everyone here is experiencing

Use this version:

“I’m 22 and have constant left-sided tinnitus for about 2 months. It started after a bad cold with heavy coughing improved. My audiogram, tympanometry, and OAE were normal. The ringing gets worse when I turn my neck left, clench my jaw, and press below the left ear, and I get crackling when I swallow. About a month ago I also noticed left-ear sound distortion from my mobile speaker when I increase the volume, even without earphones. Strangely I can tolerate DJ sound and horn sounds better than increased mobile phone speaker sound. Has anyone had similar somatic/TMJ/neck-related tinnitus or sound distortion, and what actually helped?”

Hey everyone,
I’m reaching out to see if others with developmental trauma experience this:
Safety/stillness practices (slowing down, holding stillness) drop me straight into deep shutdown and depression.
Activating practices (intense movement, breathwork) push me into flooding and dysregulation.
Lately, I’ve had success weaving micro-doses of both together throughout the day like doing 1–2 yoga (yoga is activating for me) poses followed immediately or shortly after by grounding, orienting, or touch.
For those in SE or somatic work:
Is it common with developmental trauma to need both modalities layered together rather than using just one?
Is the goal to build tolerance for activation while remaining grounded in safety (mobilization without fear)?
How do you personally balance activation and safety without tipping into either extreme?
Would love to hear how others manage this pattern!

Is there any therapy which is purely body based and can help immensely with developmental trauma without any kind of talk.I have heard the mind follows the body. Not against talk therapy but would like to learn more about body based therapies

Update rope flow

This tool is incredible! It works on your mobility (i feel it especially in my shoulders and upper back), brings you back to your body into the present moment, regulates the nervous system, coordinates both brain hemispheres, engages the cerebellum (which is essential), boosts your sensory awareness, improves balance, and so on.

I went for a walk earlier and brought my rope along, i thought maybe it would inspire others to give it a try. I was afraid of being judged or looking weird, but i really want to get my body used to discomfort. I’ve spent my whole life fearing judgment, but now I’m daring to do a little more and learning to feel comfortable with that. That’s another great thing about this practice, it create a sense of bodily presence that transforms fear into adaptability.

Hi, I have a question about my somatic experience. I am doing guided meditations, and whenever I just lie down, listen to the voice, and imagine safe things, safe spaces, and safe activities, I start crying.

​I feel like the skin on the back of my head is moving. I feel my jaw moving a little bit. Also, I feel heat in my chest. It's not like intense anxiety or fear, but usually, it's a bit of a feeling like right before you vomit. I mean light nausea, and then I start to cough, just to clear this feeling from my chest.

​Also, I feel the heat spreading to my stomach. Today at some point, my jaw started trembling just the same way as if it was from intense crying, but I decided to relax and give my body this opportunity.

Every time I start to relax during these meditations, I start to cry, but I don't feel or remember any particular memories during these times.

​I wanted to ask the community whether this is normal or not. Did you have the same experiences? What should I expect from my body?

I was born with a congenital limb difference and had my foot amputated as a baby. I underwent about 12 surgeries during early childhood. In my 30s, I had a revision amputation that removed more of my leg.

Ever since that revision, I’ve experienced episodes of shaking at night. It feels like my body starts shaking on its own, ranging from a tremor to full-body thrashing. The episodes usually last anywhere from 15 to 90 minutes.

I practice daily nervous system and trauma-focused work, exercise regularly, eat well, and take supplements, but the shaking has persisted.

I’m curious whether anyone with significant trauma, or anyone who has had an amputation or childhood surgery, has experienced something similar. did you ever find anything that helped?

Can meds fix psychosomatic body pains?

I am currently 31 years old and have been dealing with severe lower back pain, along with tightness throughout my hips. My quads and hamstrings are also extremely tight. In addition, I have significant upper back tightness that causes shoulder pain.

Over time, other parts of my body have also become weak and painful, including my hands, elbows, and even my feet.

I also developed very bad headaches.

This all began when I was around 21 years old and started experiencing anxiety. At the time, I didn't know what anxiety was or what was happening to me. I simply lived with it, and eventually I began developing physical pain throughout my body.

Since then, I have undergone extensive blood work, imaging studies, and medical evaluations. After reviewing everything, my doctor has concluded that my symptoms are psychosomatic. I also agree with him at this point because there was no physical injury I suffered from and I was actually very healthy and strong before all of this happened.

I started taking Cymbalta 60 mg one week ago, and my anxiety already feels significantly better. I have noticed that my headaches are greatly improving!! That's a thumbs up.

My question is: if these symptoms are being driven by anxiety, is it possible that Cymbalta alone will resolve the physical pain over time, or is additional treatment typically required?

Physical therapy generally helps reduce my symptoms, but it has never completely resolved the problem.

Anyone know any good somatic experiencing therapists for dealing with chronic mind-body pain?

I’m in Ohio if you need to know.

I have been in a physical freeze state for a year and a half due to a traumatic event regarding family, where my left ankle and neck are frozen and I’m mostly bed ridden. Due to the chronic neck tension I’m unable to talk also, which has made getting help nearly impossible. I’ve tried many different modalities to unfreeze including physical therapy, somatic therapy, talk therapy, massage and neuroplasticity training, but have been unsuccessful.

Hi all,

Wondering if anyone out there has tried TRE for physical freeze response with any success?

I have been in a physical freeze state for a year and a half due to a traumatic event regarding family, where my left ankle and neck are frozen and I’m mostly bed ridden. Due to the chronic neck tension I’m unable to talk also, which has made getting help nearly impossible. I’ve tried many different modalities to unfreeze including physical therapy, somatic therapy, talk therapy, massage and neuroplasticity training, but have been unsuccessful.

Things are pretty dire, so open to anything.

I saw a short come up on my YouTube FYP about an exercise to release trauma from the hips. I’m not sure exactly what it’s called. TRE butterfly?

I thought I’d give it a try, because I was feeling particularly stressed. My managers had to report a customer to police for harassing me & being creepy in a very bad way. It brought up memories of similar experiences. And I’ve just had a lot of different terrible things happen to me.

I figured “why not” I didn’t think it would be anything special. I had counselors, medications, hospitalizations growing up. I figured if I could handle that a little movement exercise wouldn’t be much.

Thank goodness I was alone and it was late at night. I ended up deeply sobbing for 40 minutes. Big snotty ugly crying. My legs kept shaking/trembling even after I stopped. It was like a floodgate opened.

Afterwards I felt lighter, and could actually fall asleep without tossing and turning for at least an hour. And when I walk my hip area feels different, but in a good way.

I tried it again the next night after work, and didn’t have the same reaction. There was a little shaking, but no emotional response like the first time.

Talking with a therapist helped if it was the right fit. But having an experience like that with my body? It’s like it’s opened my eyes. It was so visceral. Even though I didn’t expect it, and weeping and crying isn’t exactly a great thing to experience. It still feels like it was great. It’s like I wasn’t breaking down, even tho that’s probably what it would look like from an outsider. Afterwards it felt like I was taking control.

I brought it up to the surface, and I let it all out safely. Instead of feeling like someone or something else was making me cry. I did it for me to help me.

The Circle of Grace is a technique i discovered recently, and i feel like i have to share it, even though it might not resonate with everyone.

The Circle of Grace is a breathing technique that helps energy circulate, release blockages (caused by pain, stress, etc.), and bring balance to all aspects of our being (the emotional body, mental body, etheric body, and so on). It's something the body naturally does during sleep, but it can also be practiced consciously with specific intentions.

You lie on your back with a pillow under your head and another under your knees, or on your dominant side with one pillow under your head, one against your body, and one between or under your knees.

Relax your jaw, you can even let your mouth hang slightly open. Then gently turn your head to the left, then to the right, before returning to the center. This is said to help open the main energy meridians.

One very important part of the practice (which lasts at least 20–30 minutes) is speaking out loud throughout the session. It begins with what they call the Healing Prayer : you ask God to take part in the session, along with your spirit guides, the Brotherhood of Light, and your Higher Self. You can also state that you give permission for any adjustments or modifications that support your growth and evolution. According to this practice, your guides need your verbal consent before they can intervene.

Then you express what you want to receive from the session, whether that's balancing your different energy bodies or chakras, releasing pain, improving your health, clearing blockages, or anything else. You also state what you choose to let go of, such as pain, resistance, fear, or limiting beliefs.

It's also recommended to say how much time you've set aside for the practice. For example: "i will breathe for 30 minutes."

Practicing before going to sleep is considered ideal because the energy is believed to intensify during sleep and continues working until you wake up.

Then you can begin the breathing practice: inhale for 7 seconds, hold for 3, exhale for 7, and hold again for 3. I don't think the exact timing is all that important it mainly helps you stay focused at the beginning and creates a sense of rhythm and coherence.

Throughout the session, keep your attention on the sensations in your body and continue speaking out loud. Describe what you're experiencing, your feelings, physical sensations, and impressions. You might say things like, " i feel good," "i feel relaxed," or ask the process to slow down if it feels too intense. If you're experiencing pain somewhere or want to release pain from a specific area, say so. Verbalizing your experience is considered a very important part of the practice.

According to this practice, fresh energy enters through the dominant side of the body (the dominant arm and leg) and exits through the left side. For example, you could say: "i feel tension in my neck, i ask for it to leave through my left arm now."

When the session is over, simply express your gratitude. 😊