Bruxism

So, Phil, what you're saying is that Violeta is on par with Rubin? There are a lot of giants in this world, aren't there?

What I'm saying, Tony, is that,

"we are all made of the same stuff as stars..."

What somebody else might say is,

"a good therapist might function as a catalyst from time to time, but it is always the person themselves that does the work."

And last night was not quite as good as the night before, but I am not discouraged. I just need to find the way to communicate better with myself about this problem...

Phil

I had a new and simple revelation about bruxism while have a conversation with my U/C at the bathroom sink this morning.

I enjoy it, plain and simple.

May sound strange, but that's what I got.

So, anyone have any suggestions about what to do with that?

Off to my day! More later.

Phil

Hi Phil,

You've found that your brux gives you a feeling of enjoyment whilst you are doing it. However this is a double edged sword because you feel sore the next morning!

Maybe you could suggest to yourself that it's a bit like gardening or eating chocolate or drinking for that matter done occasionally and in moderation it's fine but too much causes problems. I Know that when I've worked in the garden rock solid for 8 hours my whole body is aching the next day! Especially my back! So now I limit gardening bouts to a shorter time and less often! Even though I really do enjoy getting stuck in there!!

Who knows what might come of that?

Violeta

I could do that, Violeta, but quite honestly, I just think that my mind wishes to have something to do during sleep, which is why I thought the stress ball would work--it did for one night, but maybe my U/C didn't buy into it after one night, and discovered it was being tricked! Actually, this reveals to me a not so nice relationship with my U/C, doesn't it?

However, it is an interesting suggestion that you make.

I am looking at the problem, for instance, in the same way as someone who might wish to quit smoking would look at their problem. There is really very little difference in my mind. The only difference is that a person who smokes in generally in a waking state, and when I brux, I am generally in a sleeping state! I think that the compulsion is pretty much the same, though.

So, anyone, if you were helping someone to quit smoking, what would you do?

Phil

Phil,
If I were helping someone quit smoking I would find out why they want to quit smoking to find out their motivation and use that.

Tony,

I want to stop bruxing so that I no longer wake up in pain (replacing it with comfort), and so that I have better dental health.

So, where do we go from here?

Phil

Hi Phil,

Quitting the enjoyable brux = no pain in the morning and better dental health

You will feel calm relaxed and comfortable when you have quitted bruxing and realise that it is now part of an outdated you and not part of the now you!

And remember how wonderful it does feel to wake up like you did the other day calm relaxed and rested and that did and does feel good when you visualise it doesn't it?

Violeta

Phil,
Intensify the pain. Make it too painful to keep bruxing so that the only way out of the pain is to.....STOP.

So, Tony, if you were helping a friend quit smoking, you would tell them to just SMOKE WITHOUT STOPPING UNTIL THEY CAN'T STAND IT ANYMORE?

Is THAT what you are saying?

Hi Phil,

Interesting Post.

I also am a "Bruxor" and had broken several of my very costly Veneers because of it.

I now sleep with a mouth guard and refuse to sleep or even "nod off" without it (can be quite embarrassing when flying:-).

My Dentist is also a Bruxor and she is in the process of having some elaborate surgery which she recommended to me and costs thousands (of pounds).

I believe I have been doing it since childhood and didn't really notice until I had cosmetic dentistry and then had the burden of regularly replacing Veneers (which got my attention very quickly).

Apparently my Mother and Grandmother did same and both slept without mouth guards (perish the thought).

It does not wake me unless like in the past I nodded off without Mouth guard and then would awake after crunching one of my veneers loose (in a cold sweat).

And I sleep very well (with mouth guard on) and like a baby.

Why in particular is it suddenly bothering you, is it painful or tender in the morning.

Mine is not perhaps because of the plastic in between my teeth at sleep time.

I can also "catch myself" sliding and scraping molars in the day too if in "deep thought" (at least I think that is when).

What suddenly started your mission to "unbrux"

I sense your frustration.

from your fellow Bruxee,

Nadia.

Phil,
No, I would not encourage one to smoke until that can't take it anymore. This is not like when Erickson taught people they CAN control their weight. What I would do is ask, "Why do you want to quit smoking?" If they answer with, "Well. I want to be healthy and improve the quality of my life." Then, when I have them in hypnosis I focus on towards motivation when giving suggestions. If they answer, "I am afraid of dying/getting cancer, etc. I don't like the chronic bronchitis, etc." I focus on their away from motivation.
I like what Nadia has to say. Maybe the mouthguard is the best solution. Then it doesn't matter if you brux or not, because your teeth are protected.

On the other hand, Erickson did sometimes prescribe the symptom, by having the person do the behavior consciously for a set period of time every day. And a compulsion blow-out can be quite effective for using the pleasurable side of a habit against itself. Phil, I might suggest that there's a part of you that wants to brux, and another that wants to quit, dissociated from one another to the point that when you get in touch with the "quitting Phil" you're not even talking to the "I like it!" Phil. Something along the lines of a compulsion blow-out might engage "I like it!" and deal with "him" directly. A thought. But now I'm over my limit for the day .

Tony, I wouldn't recommend pointing someone towards an away-from motivation. I'd say let it stay behind them, pushing them from behind, but make sure they're pointed at what they DO want, or they may spend a lot of time getting in their own way. Another thought. Now I'm definitely running on empty!

Thanks to everyone for your great advice.

Bridget, I think that you have hit the nail on the head in regards to the two dissociated parts. Rubin eluded to that in my session, as he used Gestalt techniques to try to get to that (the "I like it" part wouldn't talk to anyone--the "I want to quit" part of me, or Rubin, or even itself).

Nadia, it's a long story as to why I am tackling this now, but basically I want to protect my teeth, and stop waking up sore in the morning. The problem became worse after my orthognathic surgeries in June and December of 2007. Basically, without going into details, when I do it now, it hurts much worse than it would have before my surgeries. Sigh.

My strategy tonight is to use the stress ball again (taped to my hand), and use some AT and EFT before bed. Sorry Jay, I just can't put myself through an HOUR of the Compulsion Blow Out again!!!

I'll let you all know how it goes!

Phil

It's going to be easier to get in touch with "I like it!" if you think about all the things that are GOOD about bruxing. The upsides are what that part's all about, I'd venture to say. Make a list. Rhapsodize.

Speak its language.

Stephen just helped me find the common ground between the two parts. Thank you Stephen!

Oh, and by the way, after doing so, I promptly went to the kitchen and ate half of a nice tart apple!

I anticipate that things will be good tonight!

Phil

Phil,

I am sorry to hear that.

I will continue to subscribe to this thread in hopes we may all learn something new.

Best of luck,

Nadia.

Nadia,

I'm learning all sorts of new things!

Who knows, maybe you will soon become an expert on this topic yourself!

Phil

Yes Phil,

For me thats is the great thing, each day I learn so much more than I knew yesterday....I find this very exciting, the day is not over yet I may have more to add to todays Catalogue!!

So many possibilities.

Nadia x

So, Nadia, I am wondering, even with your night guard, do you still brux?

Phil