Dealing With Distress

Dealing with Distress
An introduction to healthy coping strategies
Carol Vivyan
2009
www.get.gg
www.getselfhelp.co.uk
1
Contents
Page
Introduction 2
Distress Tolerance 3
IMPROVE & ACCEPT (acronyms in italics) 4
Distraction & Pleasurable Activities 4-7
Relaxation 8
Safe Place Visualisation 11
Positive Affirmations 12
Mindfulness 11
Wise Mind 17
Wise Inner Advisor Visualisation 19
Colour Breathing 20
Emotion Regulation 21
Opposite Action, Opposite Emotion, PLEASE Master 22
Emotions and their associated thoughts and reactions 24
Dealing with Negative Emotions – quick reference 25
Dealing with Distress Worksheets 26
Questions to ask when you‟re distressed 28
Fact or Opinion? 29
Interpersonal Effectiveness 30
DEAR MAN & GIVE 30
FAST 31
Assertiveness 32
Communication Styles – Passive, Assertive, Aggressive 33
Handling Criticism 34
Saying No 36
Telling others what we want 37
STOPP – 5 steps to deal with distressing situations 38
The Helicopter View 39
Positive Steps to Wellbeing 40
Further copies are available to freely download from www.get.gg

www.getselfhelp.co.uk/freedownloads.htm
www.getselfhelp.co.uk ©Carol Vivyan 2009, permission to use for therapy purposes www.get.gg
2
Introduction
This booklet is only intended as an introduction to (or reminder of) healthy coping strategies used
to help us deal with distress, using the headings from the core skills used in DBT (Dialectical
Behaviour Therapy):
When we feel upset or distressed, we normally react automatically, without thinking about the
consequences. And we can often get into the habit of using unhelpful and often self-destructive
behaviours to help us cope. These may include:
 Self-harm including cutting or taking „overdoses‟

 Under or over-eating
 Using or relying on drugs and alcohol
 Depending on physical exercise
When we use these self-destructive coping behaviours, we often then get caught up in thinking
we‟re bad for doing them, which makes us feel even worse, and may make us more likely to keep
on doing them. A vicious cycle.
In order to break that cycle, we can learn to do doings differently, including learning new healthy
coping skills which will help us feel better about ourselves and others, and learning to understand
and see our thoughts differently.
This leaflet aims to suggest introductions to alternative, healthier ways of

coping, but like with anything else in real life, it‟s not easy or a quick fix –
it has to be worked consistently hard at, and the only certainty is that it
takes a lot of practice, practice, practice!
3
Distress Tolerance
Distress Tolerance skills are used when we are unable, unwilling, or it would be
inappropriate to change a situation. It's important to use the right skills at the right
time. In order to change a situation or emotion, we would use Emotion Regulation
skills (page 21).
Distress Tolerance skills are used to help us cope and survive during a crisis, and
helps us tolerate short term or long term pain (physical or emotional pain).
Tolerating distress includes a mindfulness of breath and mindful awareness of situations and
ourselves (page 13).
Radical Acceptance
Acceptance means being willing to experience a situation as it is, rather than how we want it to
be. Not to be willing (wilfulness) means trying to impose our will on a situation. A willingness to
accept things as they are, not as we think they should be.
Repeatedly 'turning the mind'. To be in the actual situation you are in, rather than the situation you
think you're in, or think you should be in. Your mind is always going to give you other ideas,
interpretations, reminding you of old strategies. Each time your mind wanders and you notice
these other thoughts and images, simply bring your attention back to this moment. Not judging the
situation to be good, or bad, or in any way. Simply bringing your attention back to this moment,
this situation, and being effective in this situation.
You may need to 'turn your mind' many many times in a short space of time.
What Radical Acceptance is NOT:
 Not judging the situation to be good

 Not giving permission for the situation to go on forever
 Not giving up your options
4
It can help to use memory aids such as acronyms to remind us of how we can help
ourselves during distressing times:
IMPROVE the moment
I Imagery – e.g. safe place visualisation (page 11)
M find Meaning in the situation
P Prayer – meditation, spirituality, affirmations (page 12)
R Relaxation (page 8)
O One thing at a time
V Vacation – take some time out of the situation, 'me' time, or imagining
yourself on an idyllic beautiful holiday
E Encouragement – positive and calming self talk
Wise Mind ACCEPTS
A Activities (see distraction ideas below)
C Contributing – helping others
C Comparisons – comparing self with (better) self
E Emotions – generate different emotions by watching

movie/TV, listening to music etc
P Pushing away – thinking about or putting our attention onto

something else
T Thoughts - new thoughts. E.g. counting, playing 10 (10 colours in room,

10 musical instruments, 10 fruits, 10 Bond films etc)
S Sensations – use seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting and touching senses
Distraction Ideas
Distraction helps us feel better by diverting our attention away from the distressing thoughts. It
works even better if you choose something that will really grab your attention and keep you
absorbed in that activity. Different things work for different people. It‟s worth trying and practising
many of those listed, and more that you think of yourself, a few times each before giving up on it.
5
Home and garden
 Mow the lawn
 Clean the car
 Do some gardening
 De-clutter a room or part of a room
 Purge your wardrobe (give to charity)
 Clear out the spare room (give to charity)
 Sweep the path
 Cooking or baking something pleasurable
 DIY
 Bath the dog
 Brush the cat
 Clean the hutch/cage
 Re-arrange the furniture in one room
Leisure
 Do a crossword or sudoku
 Try out aromatherapy or reflexology
 Visit the hairdresser – try a new style or colour
 Watch television or a DVD
 Play on the computer
 Surf the internet
 Watch the clouds whilst lying outside
 Read a novel or new newspaper or magazine
 Walk or sit on the beach or park
Getting out
 Join a leisure centre or health suite
 Go for a walk or jog
 Get the old cycle out!
 Visit a new church
 Go to the library
 Visit a museum
 Check out what movies are on
 Go to a concert
 Browse an antiques or charity shop
 Find out what free classes are on offer
 Potter around window shopping
 Go out for lunch
 Go to the beach – whatever the weather!
 Learn to drive, or take a trial lesson
 Visit a nursery, garden centre or park
 Visit a tourist attraction
 Walk alongside the sea, river, reservoir or lake
 Take a bus ride somewhere new
 Visit an aquarium or zoo
 Visit a car boot sale
 Visit a nature reserve
 Visit a historical or natural site
 Visit an art exhibition
 Go for a drive

6
Being creative
 Take up a new hobby
 Learn another language
 Start an evening class
 Write a letter or article for a magazine
 Learn to meditate, do yoga or tai chi
 Start a diary or journal
 Write a short story or poem
 Take up a musical instrument
 Decorate a room, or a piece of furniture
 Paint, draw, sculpt
 Join a dance class
 Surf the internet
 Create a weblog or site
 Sew or knit
 Bake
 Make an „emergency‟ box for distressing times – put in any
small reminder of what helps
 Take photographs
 Make a scrapbook
 Sort out your photos
Self Soothing
 Have an early night
 Eat something you haven‟t tried before
 Listen to some favourite (calming or uplifting) music
 Try a new newspaper or magazine
 Have a bath or shower
 Use aromatherapy oils
 Massage your hands or feet
 Write a list of things you have achieved, great and small
 Soak your feet
 Make a list of things that you can be thankful for
 Paint your nails
 Meditate, relax, yoga, tai chi, reiki
 Cuddle a soft toy
 Write a letter to yourself
 Read a letter you‟ve written to yourself to read at these
times
Making contact with others

 Telephone someone you haven't spoken to for a while
 Join a self-help group
 Join a civil rights group
 Do some voluntary work
 Write a letter to someone you haven‟t written to for a while
 Talk to a friend or family member
 Phone the Samaritans or another helpline
 Join an online support group or discussion forum
 Email a friend
7
Express yourself physically
 Bang a drum!
 Scream, shout or sing loudly!
 Rip up a phone book or newspaper
 Dance energetically to loud music
 Write – prose, poem, story, music, journal, diary, weblog, whatever
comes into your head
 Write a letter to someone, but don‟t send it – shred or burn it outside
 Run, walk, cycle, swim, go to the gym
 Paint
 Vacuum enthusiastically
 Kick a ball against a wall
 Punch or kick a cushion or pillow
 Cry
Positive Self-Talk
 I can get through this, I‟ve managed before and I can now
 I don‟t need to do this, it‟ll only make it worse afterwards
 I‟ll regret it and feel awful later
 It helps for a few minutes, but then it just makes it worse in the long
run
 I don‟t want to end up at the hospital again
 I can cope for another hour – I can take one hour at a time
 Positive Affirmations (see page 12)
8
Relaxation
Relaxation is allowing physical and/or mental tension to be released.
Healthy living is a matter of balance. Relaxation is part of the balancing

process alongside other aspects of your lifestyle such as what you eat, your
physical activity and how you handle stress. Learning to relax involves a little
time and concentration but these are the only costs involved.
It‟s a great help to learn a relaxation technique, to help us unwind and bring our tensions and
anxiety under control. There are several books, leaflets or audio tapes which we can use
ourselves. It‟s a good idea to practise regularly so we can be more prepared for the more
stressful times.
How Relaxation helps
 Reduces tiredness – if you can manage everyday life without excessive tension
 Improves performance – your performance in work, sport or music can be raised through
self awareness and control of tension
 Reduces pain – pain occurs as a result of tension e.g. headaches and backache.
Relaxation can help you to cope by raising your pain threshold and reducing the amount of
pain
 Coping with stress – relaxation helps you to reduce the effects of stress and to breathe
effectively
 Improves sleep – by allowing you to be calm and peaceful
 Improves self-confidence – by increasing your self-awareness and ability to cope with daily
life
 Improves personal relationships – it is easier to relate well to other people when you are
relaxed and self-confident
Relaxation and stress
When we feel anxious or stressed, our breathing rate increases, as does our blood pressure,
heart rate, muscle tension, sweating, state of mental arousal and adrenaline flow. Relaxation
helps to decrease all those things.
Breathing and Relaxation
Our out-breath releases tension in the chest muscles and allows all muscles
to release their tension more easily. Breathing is far more effective when
we use our diaphragms, rather than with the chest muscles. Sit comfortably
in a chair and place one hand on your chest and the other on your abdomen
(hand on navel). Take two or three fairly large breaths – which hand moves first and which moves
most? Practise so that it is the lower hand on your abdomen that moves rather than the one on
your chest. People often think that their tummy goes in when they breathe in - but the reverse
should be the case.
When you‟re feeling tense or hoping to relax, try breathing out a little bit more slowly and more
deeply, noticing a short pause before the in-breath takes over (don‟t exaggerate the in-breath, just
let it happen). You might find it useful to count slowly or prolong a word such as “one” or “peace”
to help elongate the out-breath a little (to yourself or out loud).
9
There are various ways in which to achieve relaxation, most use breath control in some way.
Whichever method you choose, regular practice will help. Some examples are:
 Progressive Muscle Relaxation – tense/relax muscular relaxation

 Meditation
 Guided Imagery or Visualisation
 Autogenic Training – mental exercises to link body and mind to bring about relaxation
 Alexander Technique – teaches the importance of posture, which improves mental and
physical wellbeing.
 Bio Feedback – self-regulation of bodily functions, e.g. Slowing heart rate
 Massage
 Aromatherapy
 Physical Activity
 Tai Chi
 Yoga
 Music (New Age Music may incorporate natural sounds for relaxation such as whalesong,
rain, waves etc) either used alone, or with any of the above methods
Simple Breathing Exercise
We‟ll start with a simple breathing exercise which can be done in a few seconds, no matter where
you are. It is particularly helpful at stressful times, but it‟s also useful to do it
at regular intervals throughout the day.
Take a deep, slow breath in and hold it for 5 seconds. Feel your abdomen
expand as you do this.
Breathe out slowly, to a count of 5. Breathe in again, make every breath slow
and steady and exactly the same as the one before it and the one after it. As you breathe out,
concentrate on expelling ALL the air in your lungs. If you’re alone, you could make a noise like
“whoo” as you do this to help you feel the air being let out. Keep the outbreath going for as long
as you can. Keep it relaxed for a few seconds before you inhale again.
Quickie Relaxation
 Wherever you are (e.g. in the car, supermarket, awaiting appointment etc)
 STOP
 SHOULDERS DOWN
 TAKE 2 OR 3 SLIGHTLY SLOWER, SLIGHTLY DEEPER OUT-BREATHS (just let the in-
breath happen)
 CARRY ON WITH WHATEVER YOU WERE DOING, BUT JUST A LITTLE SLOWER
10
Before any other relaxation exercise
Before any relaxation exercise, go to the toilet if you need to, and wear loose comfortable clothing.
Lie or sit somewhere with the whole of your body supported.
Make yourself totally comfortable. Close your eyes.
Progressive Muscle Relaxation
 Sit in a comfortable chair ( or lie on the floor, or on a bed). Ensure you will not
be disturbed by other noises. If you become aware of sounds - just try to
ignore them and let them leave your mind just as soon as they enter. Make
sure the whole of your body is comfortably supported - including your arms,
head and feet. (Rest your arms on the arms of the chair, with your feet flat on
the floor - if sitting!)
 Close your eyes. Feel the chair supporting your whole body - your legs, your arms, your
head. If you can feel any tension, begin to let it go. Take 2 slow and deep breaths, and let
the tension begin to flow out.
 Become aware of your head - notice how your forehead feels. Let any tension go and feel
your forehead become smooth and wide. Let any tension go from around your eyes, your
mouth, your cheeks and your jaw. Let your teeth part slightly and feel the tension go.
 Now focus on your neck - let the chair take the weight of your head and feel your neck
relax. Now your head is feeling heavy and floppy. Let your shoulders lower gently down.
Your shoulders are wider, your neck is longer.
 Notice how your body feels as you begin to relax.
 Be aware of your arms and your hands. Let them sink down into the chair. Now they are
feeling heavy and limp.
 Think about your back - from your neck to your hips. Let the tension go and feel yourself
sinking down into the chair. Let your hips, your legs and your feet relax and roll outwards.
Notice the feeling of relaxation taking over.
 Think about your breathing - your abdomen gently rising and falling as you breathe. Let
your next breath be a little deeper, a little slower...
 Now, you are feeling completely relaxed and heavy. …. Lie still and concentrate on slow,
rhythmic breathing….
 When you want to count back from 5 to 1 and open your eyes. Wiggle your fingers and
toes, breathe deeply and stretch. Pause before gently rising.
11
Safe place visualisation
Start each visualisation with relaxation by getting comfortable in a quiet place

where you won't be disturbed, and take a couple of minutes to focus on your
breathing. Close your eyes, then mentally scan your body and become aware
of any areas of tension, and let that tension go with each out-breath.
 All visualisations can be strengthened by ensuring you engage all your senses in building
the picture in your mind's eye - it's more than just "seeing"! If you notice any negative links
or images entering your positive imagery, then abort that image and think of something
else.
Finish each visualisation by taking a few moments to bring yourself back into the room where you
are, opening your eyes and looking around, sitting up, and bringing yourself back to alertness in
the 'here and now'.
 Imagine a place where you can feel calm, peaceful and safe. It may be a place you've
been to before, somewhere you've dreamt about going to, or maybe somewhere you've
seen a picture of.
 Focus on the colours in your peaceful safe place.
 Now notice the sounds that are around you, or perhaps the silence.
 Think about any smells you notice there.
 Then focus on any skin sensations - the earth beneath you, the temperature, any
movement of air, anything else you can touch.
 Now whilst you're in your peaceful and safe place, you might choose to give it a name,
whether one word or a phrase that you can use to bring that image back, anytime you need
to.
 You can choose to linger there a while, just enjoying the peacefulness and serenity. You
can leave whenever you want to, just by opening your eyes and being aware of where you
are now.
12
Positive Affirmations
Using positive statements can help us develop a new attitude to ourselves and
our situations. Choose a statement from those below, or make one that means
more to you, and repeat, repeat, repeat throughout the day, every day, of every
week, of every month. You might want to make or print out a card with your
affirmation, and carry it with you.
Over the years, we tend to get into unhelpful thinking habits (www.getselfhelp.co.uk/unhelpful.htm),
and think negatively about ourselves and situations. For the positive affirmations to work, you
must use it whenever you notice you have that negative thought – immediately turn it around by
using your affirmation.
Use a statement that starts with “I” and use the present tense. See the examples below – choose
one, adapt one, or make up your own. Make it something broadly realistic, even if you don‟t
believe it right now.
 I am strong
 I have strength
 I am determined and successful
 I am a good and worthwhile person
 I am a unique and special person
 I have inner strength and resources
 I am confident and competent
 I hold my head up high
 I look good because I am good
 People like me – I am a likeable person and I like myself
 I care about others, I am needed and worthwhile
 I am a loving person
 I have a lot to be proud of
 I have all that I need
 I am in control of my life
 I can achieve anything I want to achieve
 I make wise decisions based on what I know
 I have set my goals and am moving towards them
 I accept myself as a unique and worthwhile person
 My life has meaning and purpose
 I am in control of my choices
 I am strong and healthy
 I am calm and confident
 I have many options and can make wise decisions
 Everything is getting better every day
 I am calm and relaxed
 I am healthy and have all that I need
 Today is the first day of the rest of my life and I will take notice of the many positive things
this day has to offer
 I live a healthy and positive lifestyle
 I know I can master anything if I practice it continually
 I have my wise mind – I can seek inner guidance whenever I need to
 My life purpose can be whatever I choose it to be
 All is well, right here, right now
13
Mindfulness
Jon Kabat-Zinn
What is Mindfulness?
Mindfulness is an ancient Buddhist practice which is very relevant for our lives today. Mindfulness
is a very simple concept. Mindfulness means paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in
the present moment, and non-judgementally.
Mindfulness does not conflict with any beliefs or traditions, whether religious, cultural or scientific.
It is simply a practical way to notice thoughts, physical sensations, sights, sounds, smells -
anything we might not normally notice. The actual skills might be simple, but because it is so
different to how our minds normally behave, it takes a lot of practice.
We might go out into the garden and as we look around, we might think "That grass really needs
cutting, and that vegetable patch looks very untidy". A young child on the other hand, will call over
excitedly, "Hey - come and look at this ant!"
Mindfulness can simply be noticing what we don't normally notice, because our heads are too
busy in the future or in the past - thinking about what we need to do, or going over what we have
done.
Mindfulness might simply be described as choosing and learning to control our focus of attention.
14
Automatic Pilot
In a car, we can sometimes drive for miles on “automatic pilot”, without really being
aware of what we are doing. In the same way, we may not be really “present”,
moment-by-moment, for much of our lives: We can often be “miles away” without
knowing it.
On automatic pilot, we are more likely to have our “buttons pressed”: Events around us and
thoughts, feelings and sensations (of which we may be only dimly aware) can trigger old habits of
thinking that are often unhelpful and may lead to worsening mood.
By becoming more aware of our thoughts, feelings, and body sensations, from moment to
moment, we give ourselves the possibility of greater freedom and choice; we do not have to go
into the same old “mental ruts” that may have caused problems in the past.
Mindful Activity
If we wash the dishes each evening, we might tend to be „in our heads‟ as we‟re
washing up, thinking about what we have to do, what we've done earlier in the day,
worrying about future events, or regretful thoughts about the past. Again, a young
child might see things differently, "Listen to those bubbles! They're fun!"
Washing up or another routine activity can become a routine (practice of) mindful
activity for us. We might notice the temperature of the water and how it feels on the
skin, the texture of the bubbles on the skin, and yes, we might hear the bubbles as they softly
pop. The sounds of the water as we take out and put dishes into the water. The smoothness of
the plates, and the texture of the sponge. Just noticing what we might not normally notice.
A mindful walk brings new pleasures. Walking is something most of us do at some time during the
day. We can practice, even if only for a couple of minutes at a time, mindful walking. Rather than
be "in our heads", we can look around and notice what we see, hear, sense. We might notice the
sensations in our own body just through the act of walking. Noticing the sensations and
movement of our feet, legs, arms, head and body as we take each step. Noticing our breathing.
Thoughts will continuously intrude, but we can just notice them, and then bring our attention back
to our walking.
The more we practice, perhaps the more (initially at least) we will notice those thoughts intruding,
and that's ok. The only aim of mindful activity is to bring our attention back to the activity
continually, noticing those sensations, from outside and within us.
15
Mindful Breathing
The primary focus in Mindfulness Meditation is the breathing. However, the

primary goal is a calm, non-judging awareness, allowing thoughts and feelings
to come and go without getting caught up in them. This creates calmness and
acceptance.
 Sit comfortably, with your eyes closed and your spine reasonably straight.
 Direct your attention to your breathing.
 When thoughts, emotions, physical feelings or external sounds occur, simply accept them,
giving them the space to come and go without judging or getting involved with them.
 When you notice that your attention has drifted off and is becoming caught up in thoughts
or feelings, simply note that the attention has drifted, and then gently bring the attention
back to your breathing.
It's ok and natural for thoughts to arise, and for your attention to follow them. No matter how many
times this happens, just keep bringing your attention back to your breathing.
Breathing Meditation 1 (Kabat-Zinn 1996)
Assume a comfortable posture lying on your back or sitting. If you are sitting,
keep the spine straight and let your shoulders drop.
Close your eyes if it feels comfortable.
Bring your attention to your belly, feeling it rise or expand gently on the in-breath
and fall or recede on the out-breath.
Keep your focus on the breathing, „being with‟ each in-breath for its full duration and with each out-
breath for its full duration, as if you were riding the waves of your own breathing.
Every time you notice that your mind has wandered off the breath, notice what it was that took you
away and then gently bring your attention back to your belly and the feeling of the breath coming
in and out.
If your mind wanders away from the breath a thousand times, then your job is simply to bring it
back to the breath every time, no matter what it becomes preoccupied with.
Practice this exercise for fifteen minutes at a convenient time every day, whether you feel like it or
not, for one week and see how it feels to incorporate a disciplined meditation practice into your
life. Be aware of how it feels to spend some time each day just being with your breath without
having to do anything.
Breathing Meditation 2 (Kabat-Zinn 1996)
 Tune into your breathing at different times during the day, feeling the belly
go through one or two risings and fallings.
 Become aware of your thoughts and feelings at these moments, just
observing them without judging them or yourself.
 At the same time, be aware of any changes in the way you are seeing things and feeling
about yourself.
16
Using mindfulness to cope with negative experiences (thoughts, feelings, events)
As we become more practised at using mindfulness for breathing, body

sensations and routine daily activities, so we can then learn to be mindful
of our thoughts and feelings, to become observers, and then more
accepting of them. This results in less distressing feelings, and increases
our ability to enjoy our lives.
With mindfulness, even the most disturbing sensations, feelings, thoughts,

and experiences, can be viewed from a wider perspective as passing events in the mind, rather
than as "us", or as being necessarily true. (Brantley 2003)
When we are more practiced in using mindfulness, we can use it even in times of intense distress,
by becoming mindful of the actual experience as an observer, using mindful breathing and
focussing our attention on the breathing, listening to the distressing thoughts mindfully,
recognising them as merely thoughts, breathing with them, allowing them to happen without
believing them or arguing with them. If thoughts are too strong or loud, then we can move our
attention to our breath, the body, or to sounds around us.
Jon Kabat-Zinn uses the example of waves to help explain mindfulness.
Think of your mind as the surface of a lake or an ocean. There are always waves on the water,
sometimes big, sometimes small, sometimes almost imperceptible. The water's waves are
churned up by winds, which come and go and vary in direction and intensity, just as do the winds
of stress and change in our lives, which stir up waves in our mind. It's possible to find shelter from
much of the wind that agitates the mind. Whatever we might do to prevent them, the winds of life
and of the mind will blow.
"You can't stop the waves, but you can learn to surf" (Kabat-Zinn 2004)
17
Wise Mind
Wise Mind (Linehan 1993) is the part of our mind where „Emotion Mind‟ (thoughts based on
distressing feelings) and „Reasonable Mind‟ (rational thoughts) merge together.
Wise Mind helps us make sense of our thoughts and feelings, and come up with a balanced and
wise response, which satisfies our rational thoughts and also soothes emotion mind, and therefore
reduces our distress and helps makes us more effective. Usually quietly calm, it‟s that wise inner
part of us that just „knows‟ what is true or valid.
Wise Mind
Emotion Mind Wise Mind Reasonable Mind

Integrates Emotion Mind and
Reasonable Mind
Thinking and behaviour Adds intuitive knowing to

controlled by emotional state emotional distress and logical
Intellectual, scientific
analysis
Thoughts are unhelpful and
distressing Logical and rational thinking
The calm that follows a storm
Factual thinking, based on
Difficult to think logically and Sees or knows something evidence
rationally directly and clearly
Able to plan how to respond
Facts are distorted to fit with Grasps the bigger picture, rather
current distress than just parts
Focuses attention
Emotion drives opinion Ensures needs of both Emotion
Cool in approaching problems
Mind and Reasonable Mind are
Strong emotions drive strong met: Reasonable Mind is right,
What I should do
behaviour but Emotion Mind needs to be
soothed
What I want to do
What's the most appropriate and
effective skills that I could use
for this situation?
An example: At a party, you‟re feeling really anxious and feel the action urge to leave, even
though your rational mind is telling you to stay.
A Wise Mind response might be a compromise: Take a couple of minutes break outside to do
some mindful breathing and calm down a little, then go back into the party (opposite action) and
offer to help out with the washing up. The likely result is that you feel less anxious, and begin to
enjoy yourself.
18
Wise Mind Worksheet
Wise Mind
Emotional Thoughts Rational Thoughts
Based on and driven by our opinions and personal Based on factual evidence. What would be more reasonable?
interpretation of events. What went through my mind? What What am I thinking I should do? What advice would I give to a
disturbed me? What is it that is making me feel this way? friend, or what would a caring friend say to me? Is this really as
What am I reacting to? What‟s the worst thing about that, or important as it seems? What evidence is there about what I
the worst thing that could happen? What do I want to do or think is likely to happen? I‟ve felt this way before and I‟ve got
to happen? What am I feeling? through it.
Wise Mind
STOPP! Take a breath. What does Wise Mind make of this? What‟s the bigger picture? What will the consequences of my
reaction be? (short and long term) What can I change about this situation? If I can‟t change the situation, what is within my
control? What skill can I use for this situation? What‟s going to be the best response to this situation – best for me, for others,
for the situation. What will be most helpful and effective, all things considered?
19
Wise Inner Advisor Visualisation
Start each visualisation with relaxation by getting comfortable in a quiet place where you won't
be disturbed, and take a couple of minutes to focus on your breathing. Close your eyes, then
mentally scan your body and become aware of any areas of tension, and let that tension go with
each out-breath.
All visualisations can be strengthened by ensuring you engage all your senses in building the
picture in your mind's eye - it's more than just "seeing"! If you notice any negative links or images
entering your positive imagery, then abort that image and think of something else.
 If you're unsure about something, or need some guidance, then we all have some form of
wise inner part of us which knows.
 Start with relaxing Safe Place imagery (page 11), then you can imagine walking along a
path a little way and noticing a "Wise Inner Advisor" - this might be an older person, a
representation of another being, perhaps a religious or spiritual figure, or some other being.
Use whatever feels right for you.
 Make the image stronger by focusing on the scene, what you can see, hear, smell, touch.
 Spend some time just being with your Wise Inner Advisor, feeling peaceful and comfortable.
 Take the opportunity to ask your Wise Inner Advisor for general guidance or for advice on a
particular issue. Don't expect an immediate answer, but be receptive to whatever comes
up.
 Some people notice in the following hours, days or weeks that they've received their
"answer", perhaps in a very unexpected way.
Finish each visualisation by taking a few moments to bring yourself back into the room where
you are, opening your eyes and looking around, sitting up, and bringing yourself back to alertness
in the 'here and now'.
20
Colour Breathing
From the information at the bottom of this page, choose the colour relating
what you feel you need.
 Make yourself comfortable whether sitting or lying.
 Close your eyes, and bring your attention to your breathing.
 Anytime that other thoughts, images, sounds or sensations come to
mind, just notice them, and then gently bring your attention back to your breathing, and your
colour.
 Perhaps imagine that you have a balloon in your belly, and notice how the balloon inflates
as you breathe in, and deflates as you breathe out. Notice the sensations in your abdomen
as your belly rises as the balloon inflates on the inbreath, and falls as the balloon deflates
on the outbreath.
 Now visualise your colour, perhaps in the form of light, or mist. If
it‟s difficult to visualise that colour, just imagine, in your mind‟s
eye, something that is that colour – for instance green grass, or
blue sea or sky, orange sunset, pink dawn. See it in front of you,
over you, surrounding you, enveloping you. As you slowly
breathe, become aware of breathing in your colour, into your nose, your throat, your chest
and abdomen. Imagine now that colour spreading out within you, into
every part of your body, and notice the effects that it has.
 Notice the sensations in your body, as this coloured light or mist, flows
into and spreads throughout your body and mind.
 Notice how the colour is affecting your body, and your mind, as you
allow it to gently flow and infuse your body and mind.
 Continue to notice the colour and the sensations that it brings.
 Anytime that your attention wanders, simply notice that it‟s wandered, then gently bring your
focus back to your colour.
 Whenever you‟re ready, start to bring your attention back to the here and now, where you
are. Open your eyes and look around, noticing what you see and what you hear. Take a
couple of breaths and notice the pleasing sensations that accompany this relaxing coloured
breathing.
Colour
 breathe in red for energy and vitality, strength and will-power.

 breathe in orange for joy, happiness and fun.
 breathe in yellow to increase your objectivity and intellectual abilities.
 breathe in green to cleanse, feel more balanced and to combat tumours.
 breathe in turquoise to boost the immune system, reduce inflammation.
 breathe in blue for relaxation, peace and good sleep
 breathe in violet for self-respect, dignity and beauty.
 breathe in magenta to let go of obsessional thoughts, images, memories.
21
Emotion Regulation
We can use Emotion Regulation skills in order to change our emotions or situations.
But sometimes it's not appropriate or we're not able to change the situation or our
emotions, then we should use Distress Tolerance skills (page 3).
Emotions are normal and everyone experiences them. Sometimes, particularly when
we have had persistent distressing experiences during our lives, we can emotionally
react more often to situations (that others may not find distressing) where we feel
threatened. The distress can be very intense and it's difficult to manage ourselves
and situations when things are feeling so over-whelming.
Learning Emotion Regulation skills will help us learn to effectively manage and change
the way we feel and cope with situations.
Emotions, thoughts and what we do or feel an urge to do (behaviours) are all linked
and become vicious cycles. Changing one part of the cycle will help improve the
situation and help you feel better.
When we experience really strong negative emotions, it‟s easy to get caught up into
the old pattern of using unhelpful and damaging coping strategies such as using
substances, self-harming or unhealthy eating habits.
22
Emotions are closely linked to our bodies, and each emotion has a particular
behaviour linked to it. The word "emotion" can be described as E - MOTION (Elicit
Motion). Emotion causes us to react and move in certain ways.
Examples of emotions and their action urges:
EMOTION ACTION URGE OPPOSITE ACTION

Approach: go anyway and
Fear Run away, avoid
participate fully
Gently avoid, be kind,
Anger Attack
see their perspective
Be with others &
Sadness Withdraw
Increase activity
If emotions cause our bodies to react in certain ways, then doing something different
- doing the opposite ('Opposite Action') - can affect and help change our emotions.
Opposite Emotion – do something that will help you to feel the opposite of what you
feel now. For example, if you feel depressed, watch a funny movie or tv programme,
or listen to some uplifting music.
The acronym “PLEASE Master” can remind us what we can do regularly in order to
keep ourselves healthy and stable.
PL treat Physical iLness
E Eat healthily
A Avoid mood-altering substances

(alcohol or drugs)
S Sleep well
E Exercise
Master plan and do something every day that gives you a sense of achievement
or ability
23
Increase positive emotions
Do more enjoyable activities – every day (see the list of distractions for ideas). Do
more enjoyable activities than you would normally do, schedule them in each day.
DO ONE THING each day.
Be mindful of positive experiences
 Focus your attention on positive events as they happen

 Notice when your mind wanders to unhelpful thoughts, and bring your focus
back to the current situation
24
Emotions and their associated thoughts, body reactions and behaviours
Emotion Thoughts Body reaction Behaviours
Angry Assume the worst Adrenaline response:  Fight

Problem is enormous  Tense  Argue
Others are unfair  Fired up  Shout
 I‟ve been disrespected, treated  Energised, breathing and  Slam, smash
unfairly, used heart rate increase  Sulk
 I‟ve been treated unfairly  Difficulty concentrating  Snap
frustrated, irritated, impatient,
resentful, enraged, peed off,  I‟ve been let down  Swear
fury, insulted  It‟s not fair!  Confront
 I won‟t stand for it
Anxious Threat: Overestimate danger Adrenaline response:  Avoid people or places

Underestimate ability to cope  Tense, shaky, sweaty, hot, (in order to avoid feeling
 I‟m in great danger right now  Energised, breathing and anxious)
 The worst possible thing is going to heart rate increase  Fidget
happen  Difficulty concentrating  Escape / run away
 I won‟t be able to cope with it  Coping or safety
nervous, on edge, scared, behaviours
apprehensive, frightened,
panicky, terrified, petrified
Depressed Negative focus. Themes of loss, Slowed down or agitated  Do less

hopelessness, negative view of self  Tired, lethargic  Talk less
 I‟m worthless  Constipated  Eat less or more
 Nothing‟s going to change  Memory & concentration  Sleep less or more
 I‟ve lost.... problems  Isolate and withdraw
sad, down, despairing,  Appetite & sleep changes  Ruminate on negative
hopeless, gloomy,  Loss of interest: hobbies, thoughts
miserable, sorrowful,
unhappy, dismayed
sex
 Restlessness
25
Dealing with Negative Emotions – Quick Reference Sheet
 STOPP! Take a breath.
What emotion am I www.getselfhelp.co.uk/stopp.htm  Do what works!  Where do you feel this emotion in your
feeling?  What can I notice in  What am I reacting to? What’s pressing  What will be the body? If this feeling had a colour, what
my body? my buttons here? What does this consequences of my action? would it be? What shape is it? How big
 Where do I feel it? situation mean to me or say about me?  What will be the most is it? What consistency is it?
 Is this fact or opinion? effective action?  If you felt better: What colour would it
 Where is my focus of attention?  What will be best for me, for be? What about the shape? The size?
 How could I see things differently? others and for this situation? The consistency? Notice that feeling
What would I say to someone else in  Is this in keeping with my now.
What am I thinking? this situation? How important is this? principles & values?
Is my reaction in proportion to the
event?
 Take the helicopter view!
Emotion Body Thinking differently Doing differently Imagery
What am I reacting to? Take a breath. Do the best Visualise yourself handling this situation in
Adrenaline response: What‟s pressing my buttons? thing – best for me, for others a calm, non-aggressive but assertive way,
Anger Body‟s alarm system. Am I over-reacting? Is my reaction in and for the situation. Walk respecting the rights and opinions of
 It’s not fair. Energised for fight or proportion to the actual event? away? everyone involved.
 Others are bad. flight How important is this? When feeling calm, if still
 I won’t I feel like I‟m being unfairly treated, but appropriate, do something Visualise blue for calm, or green for
stand for maybe they didn‟t mean it that way. Am about it in a calm, non- balance. Breathe in green/blue & breathe
it. I misreading things? aggressive but assertive way. out red.
What‟s the best thing to do here?
Is this threat a real one or is it really How will doing this affect me in Imagine yourself coping in a situation that
Adrenaline response: bound to happen? Am I exaggerating the long term? Don‟t avoid you feel anxious about. See the situation
Anxiety Body‟s alarm system. the threat? Am I misreading things? situations – go anyway. through to a successful completion.
 Something bad is going Energised for fight or I feel bad, but that doesn‟t mean things Problem solve or make plans if
to happen. flight really are so bad. necessary. Take things slowly Visualise blue for calm. Breathe in blue
 I won’t be I can cope with these feelings, I‟ve got or gradually. and breathe out red.
able to through it before. Focus attention outside of me
cope What would someone else say about – external rather than internal
this? What would be a more helpful way focus.
of looking at things?
It‟s okay to feel sad about this situation, Do things anyway – in spite of In your mind‟s eye, see yourself doing and
Fatigue but I can get through it. how I‟m feeling. enjoying the things you used to or would
Depression Slowed down I‟m looking through those „gloomy specs‟ Get up. Get out. like to enjoy doing, and successfully doing
 I’m useless, I’m Do less again. Do something enjoyable or what you need to do.
worthless. Stay in bed/home This doesn‟t mean I‟m a worthless useful.
 Everything Disinterest person. What would be a more helpful Be with or contact others. Visualise orange for positive energy.
is hopeless Can‟t concentrate way of looking at things? Focus attention outside of me Breathe in orange, and breathe out
If I do something anyway – I‟ll feel and my situation. blue/black.
better.
26
Dealing with Distress Worksheet
STOP - Observe - mindfully CHOOSE the most ACT - Do the skill/s Outcome
Take a appropriate skill/s – what
breath will help most? WISE
MIND
Stop, step What’s the emotion I’m  Change the situation or E.g. opposite action, What helped? What didn’t help?
back and feeling? What’s the emotion? (Emotion distracting activities, exercise, With the benefit of hindsight, what
breathe action urge? Regulation or Interpersonal take a break, new thoughts, could I have done differently?
Effectiveness skills) helping others
o PLEASE MASTER
o DEAR MAN
 Reduce the emotion?
(Distress Tolerance skills)
o ACCEPT
o IMPROVE
27
Dealing with Distress Worksheet 2
Prompting Event – What was happening? Where? When? Who with?
Interpretation – What meaning was I giving the situation?
Body Sensations – What did I feel in my body?
Body Language – What did my body do? How did it move? (posture, facial
expression, body movement, gestures etc)
Action Urge – What did I feel like doing? (Running away, attacking, withdrawing)
Emotion Name - Anger, sadness, fear, guilt etc
Choose action – What will help most? Can I, or do I need to, change this
situation? If not, how can I reduce the distress? What will be most effective and
most appropriate?
Outcome – What helped? What didn‟t help? What could I have done differently?
28
Changing the way we think
As thoughts play such an important role in our distressing emotions, it can be very effective to
notice these thoughts, and learn to think differently, or to think about thoughts in a different way.
When you start to feel upset
Questions to ask yourself when you feel distressed
STOPP! (page 38) Pause, take a breath, don't react automatically
Ask yourself:
 What am I reacting to?

 What is it that's really pushing my buttons here?
 What is it that I think is going to happen here?
 What's the worst (and best) that could happen? What's most likely to happen?
 Is this fact or opinion?
 Am I getting things out of proportion?
 How important is this really? How important will it be in 6 months time?
 What harm has actually been done?
 Am I expecting something from this person or situation that is unrealistic?
 Am I overestimating the danger?
 Am I underestimating my ability to cope?
 Am I using that negative filter? Those gloomy specs? Is there another way of
looking at it?
 What advice would I give to someone else in this situation?
 Am I spending time ruminating about the past or worrying about
the future? What could I do right now that would help me feel
better?
 Am I putting more pressure on myself, setting up expectations of myself that
are almost impossible? What would be more realistic?
 Am I mind-reading what others might be thinking?
 Am I believing I can predict the future?
 Is there another way of looking at this?
 What advice would I give someone else in this situation?
 Am I putting more pressure on myself?
 Just because I feel bad, doesn't mean things really are bad.
 Am I jumping to conclusions about what this person meant? Am I mis-reading
between the lines? Is it possible that they didn't mean that?
 Am I exaggerating the good aspects of others, and putting myself down? Or
am I exaggerating the negative and minimising the positives? How would
someone else see it? What‟s the bigger picture?
 Things aren‟t either totally white or totally black – there are shades of grey.
Where is this on the spectrum?
 This is just a reminder of the past. That was then, and this is now. Even
though this memory makes me feel upset, it‟s not actually happening again
right now.
 What do I want or need from this person or situation? What do they want or
need from me? Is there a compromise?
 What would be the consequences of responding the way I usually do?
 Is there another way of dealing with this? What would be the most helpful and
effective action to take? (for me, for the situation, for the other person)
29
FACT OR OPINION?
FACT OPINION
 Evidence to support its truth  Based upon a belief or personal view
 Undisputed  Varies according to individuals‟
 Driven by rational thought knowledge, experience, culture, belief
systems etc
 Driven by and reinforced by emotion
At stressful times, we tend to be driven by our

emotions and opinions, which create a vicious
cycle by fuelling each other. Our emotions
strengthen our opinions, which in turn, intensify
our emotions.
This leads to impulsive acts and unhelpful longer
term consequences, which help to maintain the
overall problem.
It can therefore be helpful to ask ourselves whether what we‟re thinking is FACT or OPINION.
 If it‟s a fact, then we can make choices about what we can or cannot do.
 If it‟s an opinion, then we can look at the facts – what we do know about the
situation.
Realising that many thoughts are opinion rather than fact makes it less likely that we‟ll be
distressed by them, and more able to make wise and calm decisions about what the best action to
take.
Get into the habit of asking yourself:

FACT or OPINION?
30
Interpersonal Effectiveness
Interpersonal Effectiveness refers to the skills which help us to
 Attend to relationships
 Balance priorities versus demands
 Balance the 'wants' and 'shoulds'
 Build a sense of mastery and self-respect
GAINING OUR OBJECTIVE
In order to increase our effectiveness in dealing with other people, we need to:
 Clarify what we want from the interaction - be as specific about that as

you can
 Identify what we need to do in order to get the results we want
DEAR MAN - helping us gain our objective
D Describe the current situation
E Express your feelings and opinions
A Assert yourself by asking for what you want, or by saying no
R Reward the person - let them know what they will get out of it
M Mindful of objectives without distraction (broken record technique, ignoring attacks)
A Appear effective and competent (role play, use your acting skills)
N Negotiate alternative solutions
THE RELATIONSHIP
 How important is this relationship for me?

 What do I want this person to feel about me after this interaction?
 What do I need to do, in order to keep this relationship?
Keeping the Relationship - GIVE
G Gentle manner without attack or threat
I Interest in the other person
V Validate the other person without judging
E Easy manner (with a little humour?)
31
SELF-RESPECT
 What do I want to feel about myself after this interaction?

 What do I have to do in order to feel that way about myself?
Keeping to your self-respect - FAST
F Fair to myself and others
A No Apologies for being alive
S Stick to values (not do anything I'll regret later)
T Truthful without excuses or exaggeration
32
Assertiveness
When communicating with other people, it helps to keep in mind not only what you are
experiencing (thoughts, feelings, behaviours) but also what they
might be experiencing, which might be similar, different, or
completely opposite to your experience (and anywhere in-
between!). Just because you believe they’re thinking something
about you, that doesn’t necessarily make it true – our minds are
continually trying to make sense of our world, but our minds do
not always get it right. Our thoughts and emotions can get in
the way of effective communication, and we end up making
things worse and messing things up. This awareness of our own
reactions, together with an understanding and awareness of how
the other person might be reacting (their thoughts, feelings and
responses) will give us important knowledge and help us to respond in a more helpful and
effective way.
It’s so easy to get things wrong, misunderstand what the other

person is saying, we react to what we think they mean, they
react to what they think we mean….and so it goes on
We can learn to be more assertive and effective in

communicating what we really want to say, without upsetting
the other person, and reduce misunderstandings on both sides.
The aim is to practice behaving and communicating more assertively, and to reduce acting and
communicating in passive and aggressive ways, which usually result in distress.
It can help to think about a person who you respect and who you believe acts and communicates
effectively and assertively, respecting others and themselves, who is warm and friendly. This can
be a person who is known personally to you, or a famous person, or perhaps a fictional character.
You can model yourself on that person – imagine them dealing with particular situations and how
they would do it, what that would look like. Then imagine yourself acting in a similar way – and
do it. Practice it often. Initially, it doesn’t matter if you don’t feel like being assertive, just
practice it anyway. When you notice yourself acting aggressively or passively, just notice, then
change your posture, expression and behaviour to as though you were being assertive. It works!
33
Communication Styles
Passive Assertive Aggressive
General Compliant, submissive, Actions and expressions Sarcastic, harsh, always

talks little, vague non- fit with words spoken, right, superior, know it all,
committal firm but polite and clear interrupts, talks over
communication, puts messages, respectful of others, critical, put-
self down, praises self and others downs, patronising,
others disrespectful of others
“That’s a good idea, and
“I don’t mind…that’s how about if we did this “This is what we’re doing,
fine….yes alright” too…” or “I can see that, if you don’t like it, tough”
but I’d really like...”
Beliefs You’re okay, I’m not I’m okay, you’re okay I’m okay, you’re not
Has no opinion other Believes or acts as if all Believe they are entitled
than that the other the individuals involved to have things done their
person/s are always are equal, each way, the way they want it
more important, so it deserving of respect, to be done, because they
doesn’t matter what and no more entitled are right, and others (and
they think anyway than the other to have their needs) are less
things done their way important
Eyes Avoids eye contact, Warm, welcoming, Narrow, emotion-less,

looks down, teary, friendly, comfortable eye staring, expressionless
pleading contact
Posture Makes body smaller – Relaxed, open, Makes body bigger –

stooped, leaning, welcoming upright, head high,
hunched shoulders shoulders out, hands on
hips, feet apart
Hands Together, fidgety, Open, friendly and Pointing fingers, making

clammy appropriate gestures fists, clenched, hands on
hips
Consequences Give in to others, don’t Good relationships with Make enemies, upset
get what we want or others, happy with others and self, feel angry
need, self-critical outcome and to and resentful
thoughts, miserable compromise
34
Handling Criticism
When we hear others being critical of something we‟ve done, we tend to believe that they are
being critical of „us‟ rather than our actions. This may be because we‟ve been criticised in an
unhelpful way in the past, which resulted in feeling blamed, rejected or unwanted. However, very
often the person offering criticism is intending the criticism to be helpful to us – pointing out the
affect of our actions. If we were able to accept that criticism in the spirit in which it was intended,
then we could make positive helpful changes.
“That was very good, but it

might have been better if
you had…..”
PASSIVE PASSIVE-AGGRESSIVE AGGRESSIVE
“I’m so sorry – you’re “Sorry”. “What?! You can talk!

right, it’s all my fault. I’m (Thinks: “Huh. It’s not my How dare you”
so stupid and useless” fault! I’ll get you back
later”)
Whereas, if we were able to consider the criticism in a different way, then maybe something
positive could come out of it. When you receive criticism, consider whether the criticism is:
 True
 Not true
 Partly true
35
We also need to bear in mind how important the relationship is to us.
 How important is this relationship for me?

 What do I want this person to feel about me after this interaction?
 What do I need to do, in order to keep this relationship?
Keeping the Relationship – GIVE (acronym)
G Gentle manner without attack or threat
I Interest in the other person
V Validate the other person without judging
E Easy manner (with a little humour?)
Whilst also remaining our self-respect
 What do I want to feel about myself after this interaction?

 What do I have to do in order to feel that way about myself?
Keeping to your self-respect - FAST
F Fair to myself and others
A No Apologies for being alive
S Stick to values (not do anything I'll regret later)
T Truthful without excuses or exaggeration
Assertive response to criticism
Criticism is true Criticism is not true Criticism partly true
Agree Disagree Partially agree
Yes, I can be like that I disagree, I don’t think that’s I accept that I didn’t do that
sometimes. How has that right, and I feel a bit upset well. I made a mistake, but I
affected you? What would that you can say that. Can disagree with your
have been a more helpful you explain what you mean comments about me
way of doing things? I’m a bit more? personally. Can you explain
sorry if it upset you. what you mean a bit more?
36
Saying “No”
It can very often be difficult to say no to people who make demands of us, and if we say no, we
can get caught up in self-critical thoughts leading us to feel guilty. To avoid feeling guilty, we just
keep on saying “yes” to every request.
Someone asks us to do something:
We can learn ways of saying “No” that don‟t lead us to think self-critically or feel guilty. For
example:
 I‟m sorry but I really can‟t take on anything else at the moment.
 I‟m quite busy right now. Perhaps another time.
 I‟d like to help you out, but I just don‟t feel up to it at the
moment. No…
 I don‟t need a new roof (double glazing, vacuum
cleaner etc). I‟m happy with what I have thank you.
 Thank you for asking me. You‟re a nice person, but I
don‟t want to go out with you.
If the person seems to have trouble accepting your “No”, then just keep repeating yourself, over
and over if necessary. You might have to add the word “No” to the beginning of those statements,
perhaps with some emphasis on that word. For example:
 No. I‟m sorry but I really can‟t at the moment.
Be wary of those self-critical thoughts afterwards. Practice challenging and/or dismissing them, by
telling yourself:
 I explained to them why I couldn‟t do it

 It‟s not my responsibility
 It would only end up upsetting me if I agreed to it – this is best for me.
If I feel less tired and not resentful, then I might be a better position to
help them out next time
 They‟re just thoughts – I don‟t need to pay them any attention (then
put your focus of attention on something else)
37
Telling others what we want
When we want something, we use all sorts of messages to try to let others know, such as hints,
expressions and gestures, or hidden meanings in what we say.
But the only way to ensure that someone has really understood
what you want, is to be clear in what you say:
 I‟d like you to give me a hug

 I want to be your friend, but not your girlfriend
 I‟d like to talk to you about something…
 I want to leave now
Use the DEAR MAN acronym as a reminder:
D Describe the current situation
E Express your feelings and opinions
A Assert yourself by asking for what you want, or by saying no
R Reward the person - let them know what they will get out of it
M Mindful of objectives without distraction (broken record technique, ignoring attacks)
A Appear effective and competent (role play, use your acting skills)
N Negotiate alternative solutions
It may not always be possible to get what we want or feel we need,

perhaps because that would impact on other people. Having said
what you‟d like, then we need to consider the response according to
the rights of the other person too. It‟s often possible to compromise,
which can respect the rights of all those involved: Give and take.
If we are unable to change a situation or get want we want, even

using the Interpersonal Effectiveness skills, then we may need to use our Distress Tolerance skills
(page 3).
38
STOPP
Stop
Don‟t act immediately. Wait.
Take a Breath
Slowly breathe in and out a couple of times.
Observe
What am I thinking about?
What am I focusing on?
What am I reacting to?
What am I feeling in my body?
Pull Back
Zoom out!
See the bigger picture.
Is this fact or opinion?
Is there another way of looking at this?
What would someone else say about it?
How does this affect others?
What advice would I give a friend in this situation?
How important is this situation right now?
Practise what works

Consider the consequences.
What‟s the BEST thing to do?
Do what will help most!
Try not to react merely in the moment. Pull back from the situation. Take a wider
view: Compose yourself. Epictetus (AD 55 – 135)
39
The Helicopter View
When something is distressing us, we‟re so close to it, involved with it, part of it –
it‟s really hard to stand back from what‟s happening. We see the close up view,
but we can‟t see anything else. It‟s like the well-known saying: “We can‟t see
the wood for the trees”. If we could zoom out our view, like a helicopter hovering
above, we‟d be able to see the bigger picture. We could stand back, be less
emotionally involved, and see a different perspective.
SELF OTHERS
What am I What would this
reacting to? look like to
What does this others involved?
situation mean
to me?
SITUATION
STOPP!
Take a Breath
What‟s the bigger picture?
www.get.gg Vivyan 2009 www.getselfhelp.co.uk/perspectives.htm
OUTSIDER WISE MIND

How would this What would be the
seem to best thing to do –
someone for me, for others,
outside the for this situation?
situation – not
emotionally
involved?
Carol Vivyan 2009

www.getselfhelp.co.uk
40
Positive Steps to Wellbeing
Be kind to yourself Exercise regularly
Our culture, genes, religion, Being active helps lift our mood,
upbringing, education, gender, reduces stress and anxiety,
sexuality, beliefs, and life improves physical health, and
experiences make us who we are. gives us more energy.
We all have bad days.
Get outside, preferably in a green
Be kind to yourself. Encourage space or near water.
rather than criticise yourself. Treat yourself the
way you would treat a friend in the same Find an activity you enjoy doing, and just do it.
situation.
Take up a hobby and/or Have some fun and/or be creative

learn a new skill
Having fun or being creative helps us
Increase your confidence and feel better and increases our
interest, meet others, or prepare confidence.
for finding work.
Enjoy yourself!
Help others Relax

Get involved with a community Make time for yourself. Allow
project, charity work, or simply help yourself to chill out and relax.
out someone you know. Find something that suits you –
different things work for different
As well as benefiting others, you‟ll be
people.
doing something worthwhile which
will help you feel better about Breathe… (imagine a balloon in your belly,
yourself. inflating and deflating as you breathe in and out)
Eat healthily Balance sleep
Eat regularly, eat breakfast, Get into a healthy sleep routine –

eat healthily, eat fruit and including going to bed and getting
vegetables, drink water. up at the same time each day.
Connect with others Beware drink and drugs
Stay in touch with family and Avoid using alcohol (or non-prescribed
friends - make regular and drugs) to help you cope – it will only
frequent contact with them. add to your problems.
See the bigger picture Accepting: ‘It is as it is’
We all give different meanings to We tend to fight against

situations and see things from our distressing thoughts and
point of view. Broaden out your feelings, but we can learn to just
perspective and consider the bigger notice them and give up that
picture („the helicopter view‟) struggle.
What meaning am I giving this? Is Some situations we just can‟t change. We can
this fact or opinion? How would others see it? surf those waves rather than try to stop them.
Is there another way of looking at this? Allow those thoughts and sensations just to be –
How important is it, or will it be in a year‟s time? they will pass.
What can I do right now that will help most?
41

Dealing With Distress

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Dealing With Distress

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Dealing With Distress

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

What are some healthy coping strategies introduced in the document?

What are some healthy coping strategies introduced in the document?

What is distress tolerance and when should it be used?

What is distress tolerance and when should it be used?

Dealing with Distress

An introduction to healthy coping strategies

Further copies are available to freely download from www.get.gg

 Self-harm including cutting or taking „overdoses‟

This leaflet aims to suggest introductions to alternative, healthier ways of

What Radical Acceptance is NOT:

 Not judging the situation to be good

IMPROVE the moment

I Imagery – e.g. safe place visualisation (page 11)

M find Meaning in the situation

P Prayer – meditation, spirituality, affirmations (page 12)

O One thing at a time

E Encouragement – positive and calming self talk

Wise Mind ACCEPTS

A Activities (see distraction ideas below)

C Contributing – helping others

C Comparisons – comparing self with (better) self

E Emotions – generate different emotions by watching

P Pushing away – thinking about or putting our attention onto

T Thoughts - new thoughts. E.g. counting, playing 10 (10 colours in room,

S Sensations – use seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting and touching senses

Making contact with others

Relaxation is allowing physical and/or mental tension to be released.

Healthy living is a matter of balance. Relaxation is part of the balancing

How Relaxation helps

Relaxation and stress

Breathing and Relaxation

 Progressive Muscle Relaxation – tense/relax muscular relaxation

Simple Breathing Exercise

Make yourself totally comfortable. Close your eyes.

Progressive Muscle Relaxation

 Notice how your body feels as you begin to relax.

Start each visualisation with relaxation by getting comfortable in a quiet place

The primary focus in Mindfulness Meditation is the breathing. However, the

Breathing Meditation 1 (Kabat-Zinn 1996)

Close your eyes if it feels comfortable.

Breathing Meditation 2 (Kabat-Zinn 1996)

As we become more practised at using mindfulness for breathing, body

With mindfulness, even the most disturbing sensations, feelings, thoughts,

Jon Kabat-Zinn uses the example of waves to help explain mindfulness.

Emotion Mind Wise Mind Reasonable Mind

Thinking and behaviour Adds intuitive knowing to

 breathe in red for energy and vitality, strength and will-power.

Examples of emotions and their action urges:

EMOTION ACTION URGE OPPOSITE ACTION

PL treat Physical iLness

A Avoid mood-altering substances

DO ONE THING each day.

Be mindful of positive experiences

 Focus your attention on positive events as they happen

Emotion Thoughts Body reaction Behaviours

Angry Assume the worst Adrenaline response:  Fight

Anxious Threat: Overestimate danger Adrenaline response:  Avoid people or places

Depressed Negative focus. Themes of loss, Slowed down or agitated  Do less

Interpretation – What meaning was I giving the situation?

Body Sensations – What did I feel in my body?