ASMR and PTSD

ASRM, Behind this term hides a method of relaxation by visual or auditory stimulation which will manifest itself by pleasant tingling or shivering, without involving any sexual or erotic implication, at the level of the top of the head and the peripheral zones of the body. This phenomenon has always existed but its existence and its practice really developed with the 2010s, in particular on the internet.

ASMR and PTSD

ASRM, Behind this term hides a method of relaxation by visual or auditory stimulation which will manifest itself by pleasant tingling or shivering, without involving any sexual or erotic implication, at the level of the top of the head and the peripheral zones of the body. This phenomenon has always existed but its existence and its practice really developed with the 2010s, in particular on the internet.

The main use of the ASMR is that of relaxation and to help find sleep serenely.

It should be noted that the effectiveness of the ASMR is highly dependent on the individuals and the stimulus employed. Indeed some will have a lot of effects on some people, while others will leave them of marble. And conversely, it really depends on the people. You can very well react positively to a long chewing noise while one of your loved ones will find it absolutely irritating, and you may end up in the opposite situation with, for example, the sound of pages you turn or whispers. There are no rules about what makes you feel good in the ASMR or a pre-established guide. So it’s up to you to do your own research and be curious.

ASMR is a sensation difficult to describe. However the scientific community brings it closer to better known mental states

According to the research of Barratt EL and Davis NJ, the sensation of ASMR would be correlated with a state of Flow! (Barratt EL, Davis NJ. 2015). Indeed, the same effects of concentration, well-being and letting go are described.

The ASMR is sometimes compared to a synaesthetic experience (MJ Banissy & al., 2014). Synesthesia represents the ability to describe a sensory stimulus with a different meaning.

Example: a blue note => the sound is associated with a color.

This sensation could also have therapeutic benefits similar to mindfulness meditation (Barratt EL, Davis

2015). In addition, the practice of mindfulness meditation promotes the initiation of ASMR (MA del Campo, TJ Kehle, 2016).
WHAT ARE THE TRIGGER ELEMENTS?

You say a sensory stimulus. But then, why when I look at a table, I do not shiver and the stimulus leaves me relatively impassive?

Only certain stimuli trigger the ASMR. Moreover, the senses are not equal. Visual and auditory stimuli are far ahead of other senses in their effectiveness in triggering these sensations.

What are the most effective triggers?

We followed in detail the study of Barratt EL and Davis NJ. They tested different triggers on cookies. Their results show that some people more easily trigger ASMR than others.

Results vary from person to person, so it’s important that you find what works for you, but this data gives you the idea of ​​a trend.

How Can ASMR Help in Healing Past Trauma?

PTSD can be charterised by :

  • Anxiety, insomnia and nightmares
  • Flashbacks of the traumatizing event even long time after it happened
  • Avoiding thinking about the event or anything that reminds us of it, such as places or situations
  • Hyper vigilance and being easily startled (others might feel like walking on an eggshell around you)
  • Feelings crazy and disconnected from others
  • Aloneness
  • Not expecting ‘normal’ future such as getting married or being ok.
  • Problems with maintaining a relationship
  • Feeling guilt and shame

Nothing has been proven yet but a lot of people claim that ASMR has helped them with their PTSD, some say that it depends on the type of symptoms they are having,  if PTSD is given you extreme stim sensitivity, and you get overwhelmed by crowds, loud noises, and bright lights, as well as rough textures. ASMR videos can help you control that aspect, by giving a way to calm down, or balance out the stressful stimulation.

People with sleeping issue due to PTSD also turn to ASMR as a way to relax instead of medication, and some patient say that it really helped them relax and sleep as they help let the mind wonder and not focus on what’s happening.

Results vary from person to person, so it’s important that you find what works for you, but this data gives you the idea of ​​a trend.

How Can ASMR Help in Healing Past Trauma?

PTSD can be charterised by :

  • Anxiety, insomnia and nightmares
  • Flashbacks of the traumatizing event even long time after it happened
  • Avoiding thinking about the event or anything that reminds us of it, such as places or situations
  • Hyper vigilance and being easily startled (others might feel like walking on an eggshell around you)
  • Feelings crazy and disconnected from others
  • Aloneness
  • Not expecting ‘normal’ future such as getting married or being ok.
  • Problems with maintaining a relationship
  • Feeling guilt and shame

Nothing has been proven yet but a lot of people claim that ASMR has helped them with their PTSD, some say that it depends on the type of symptoms they are having,  if PTSD is given you extreme stim sensitivity, and you get overwhelmed by crowds, loud noises, and bright lights, as well as rough textures. ASMR videos can help you control that aspect, by giving a way to calm down, or balance out the stressful stimulation.

People with sleeping issue due to PTSD also turn to ASMR as a way to relax instead of medication, and some patient say that it really helped them relax and sleep as they help let the mind wonder and not focus on what’s happening.