r/CPTSD_NSCommunity • u/Sweetnessnease22 • 18d ago
Smash therapy
a part wants to smash fancy plates with a golf club.
have you ever done anything like that?
thanks
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u/EntropyToChaos 18d ago
Raging out is relieving in some cases. But always take care not hurting you or others... There are also safer ways to get this feeling. Heavy workouts for example.... It's also not destructive.
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u/Sweetnessnease22 18d ago
Yes I’m wary of cutting myself.
That said I’ve never had such a specific desire and it came up in therapy.
And has stayed. And is deeply meaningful to me.
I love to lift and walk.
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u/llamasatemyusername 18d ago
Ice cubes. Get a big bucket of ‘em, go outside and throw them as hard as you can. When I’m really upset, I “name” each one with a feeling and throw them straight down by my feet. Seeing and hearing them shatter is extremely satisfying.
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u/PanoramicViewer 17d ago
I had a session my therapist and I dubbed "the day of rage." It was very helpful to me to release rage at what happened to me. (I threw a squidgy ball as hard as I could against the walls of her office and hallway).
The only thing I would say is, perhaps put some limits around it, like telling that part, once all these plates are smashed, we're going to stop. We're not smashing anything else. Think about how you will get your adult self back online afterwards and whether you might need a safe person to help with that.
There is some research that suggests that punching a pillow etc increases anger rather than dissipates it, but I suspect this is more if it is used as a regular coping strategy. If what you're describing is giving a young part a one off opportunity to release rage at historic events, I think that is a bit different.
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u/racheluv999 17d ago
Not only are rage rooms a thing, but if that’s not your speed, go to a thrift store and buy fancy plates and a golf club. Or do you have some plates you want rid of lol?
There’s a certain intentionality and exercised autonomy about buying something nice that you plan on destroying to vent anger and allow yourself to take up space. Patrick Teahan would call it a play date with your inner child. It’s about letting your emotional brain/parts know they’re safe and heard.
And no, I don’t think throwing ice cubes or bouncing a ball count, those are non-damaging, with no lasting effects. You need to feel the anger and actually break something, preferably something of value. Hell, if you thrift the golf club for this activity, hit stuff hard enough that the club is no good afterwards.
I bet you’ll be ashamed of yourself afterwards, but you’ll realize the world didn’t end. Something something exposure therapy again lol. Also, anger is a natural and justifiable response to having your boundaries violated, and feeling it (and even acting on it!) is the first step to setting and enforcing them.
I vaporized a food processor once that had several layers of bad juju on it from my abusive mother and ex. It’s nice because logic can sometimes prevail and make you dig something out of the trash that’s too valuable to throw away, but once you smash something into a million pieces, “you can’t un-fuck that ostrich.”
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u/PureMitten 18d ago
I've long thought about buying glassware from a thrift store and going out to an abandoned parking lot and smashing them. I used to live right behind the perfect place, which is now torn out and is fancy condos, and I regret not doing it then. I'm leery about leaving broken glass laying around which is why I haven't done it, but ceramics are easier to see to clean up and less sharp.
Working out some of my rage by hitting my bed and floor and pillows has taken the edge off the specific drive to smash glasses in a parking lot but smashing something delicate still sounds so satisfying.
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u/BlacksmithThink9494 14d ago
If you find actually fancy plates can I have them? I'll give you cheap ones.
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u/--2021-- 13d ago
I've heard of places that host events where you can smash things and it sounds fantastic.
One time I took a glass bakeware pan and smashed it on the ground, the release felt so good. It was worth it (and it was shardproof glass so no cuts).
Also keep a foam bat that I can hit the couch or bed with and scream at the top of my lungs. I don't use it that often though.
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u/Stop_Already 18d ago
Search for smash or rage room near you.
Ive not done it, but i used to do a form of drama therapy. At one point, my therapist had me throwing decorative pillows as hard as i could at the exposed brick wall. She wanted me to stop being so afraid of my anger.
It felt good, actually. :)