Dr. Sabine Hoffmann's experience with therapy blankets
"These blankets can trigger a spontaneous feeling of calm, in short, 'everything is fine' on the physical and thus also psychological level."
How did you come across the therapy blanket concept?
For 21 years, I have worked as a Senior Psychologist in acute psychiatry, where the question often arises about a "safe place" in which a sense of security and protection can be immediately established even in the clinical setting despite acute crises. Therefore, simple blankets have long been part of our repertoire. However, a patient brought her own therapy blanket to the ward and told me about its positive effects. I accompanied her to her room and looked at this blanket, which aesthetically lying on the hospital bed already visually changed the atmosphere to be cozy and personal. She reported on its individual effects during sudden panic attacks; she was able to regulate states of hopelessness, despair, and uncontrollability of conditions with this blanket. Due to the weight and being wrapped up, she experienced an immediate positive influence on the central nervous system, also in the trauma therapeutic sense. Immediately after, I turned to the internet and read more about it.
How do you personally experience using a weighted blanket?
These blankets can trigger a spontaneous feeling of calm, not having to do anything anymore, in short "everything is fine" on the physical and thus also psychological level. Self-care, "recharging" energy, allowing oneself to be rewarded, serves to maintain work capacity and especially one's own resilience, the ability to stay healthy in work and private life. Mindfulness, relaxation, and a good relationship with oneself are immensely important for us psychotherapists!
In which medical areas do you think the use of therapy blankets makes sense? Where do you already use therapy blankets successfully? And where do you still see potential / need?
We now have therapy blankets on the wards, which can be washed well. Depending on mood / state of calm or tension, the weight is experienced as differently pleasant. By regulating the contact area, the assessment of the current condition and the answering of the question "what do I need right now?" is trained. Contact with one's own needs is supported.
The therapy blankets help our patients with
- Panic attacks, generalized anxiety, and worries.
- Depression, suicidality, and other acute crisis situations.
- In intrusions as echo memories of earlier traumas, the blanket strengthens the safety in the present "I have it behind me…".
- In the context of borderline disorder, minor triggers can cause a severe tension reaction in the body, which as an impulse control disorder can lead to self-injury. The blanket can be used as a "skill," tension is reduced, and even self-deprecating thoughts can be at least temporarily changed through the act of good self-care.
- In cases of intellectual disabilities, the blanket serves to calm.
- In dissociative states ("feeling detached…"), the weight of the blanket helps to better perceive one's own body boundaries (self-identity) again.
I see further potential and need for therapy coats; I have already ordered some. I have intended their use for internal collegial first aid. In acute stress states of the staff, in addition to a conversation, the blanket as a crisis intervention measure can reduce the development of a longer-term post-traumatic stress disorder. This happens when the acute stress situation and the body's alarm reaction are shut down as quickly as possible.
Your conclusion from a personal or medical perspective
I am very convinced and have already told some patients, as well as some psychotherapist friends, about this wonderful opportunity to treat yourself well and become your own caring therapist! A special benefit is given by using the blankets and calm instead of sedative medication; the experience of self-efficacy is strengthened! Thank you very much for that!