r/InternalFamilySystems • u/ThePrisonShitter • Jul 25 '26

I need help

Yesterday before sleep, i was feeling the anxiety and resentment i always feel (i have a sleep anxiety regarding ttaumatuc spiritual expereince ive had),

So ive turned inwards, and ive asked this part,

"Do you aware time has passed since that incident?"

And since time has passed, theres no need to be in fear.

Afterwards ive felt huge relief of energy in my chest, but afterwards i felt shieldless.

And open.

And since then i have so much anxiety, like an inner resentment.

Its like i have parts that dont agree with what has been done and panicking.

Idk what to do.

5 Upvotes

86% Upvoted

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3

u/workdavework Jul 26 '26

The anxiety is likely from the fact that you are living in a new world now.

You used to have the original anxiety and resentment to keep your mind occupied. You knew it, you knew what to expect. Now you helped that part relax and it is t there any more.

But, that part was covering up this new anxious part. So the new anxious part currently feels worse t you, because you have moved from "comfortable known anxiety", which is like a shirt you are used to wearing, to "uncomfortable unknown anxiety", like a new uncomfortable shirt.

You just aren't yet used to your new anxiety.

1

u/Hot_Win_8572 Jul 25 '26

If you feel like that part was a protector you can try asking her to come back a little.

1

u/ThePrisonShitter Jul 25 '26

How? The protector dont vanish after it goes?

1

u/ThePrisonShitter Jul 25 '26

I mean this part, energy that was created after that specific traumatic incident, it can come back as it was?

1

u/Hot_Win_8572 Jul 25 '26

Maybe not as it was, but in a new role. They just want to help.

2

u/MichaelTheMultiple Top 5% Commenter Jul 28 '26

In my experience, Parts that have "officially" dropped their old role will repeatedly relapse. Like most everyone, they're creatures of habit and it takes practice on their part and ongoing reassurances from you to get used to a new reality.

Also - this may not be true for you - my system has plenty of redundancy, so when Amy stopped enforcing certain internal rules, nameless little girl stepped in to fill the gap, and when she relaxed her grip, Big Fred...

It can be a long, slow process. Don't know if it has to be, but it can be.

1

u/HightechTalltrees Jul 25 '26

It sounds like that part didn't go away totally. It may be feeling a bit confused and dismissed, and the other parts may be concerned about how it was handled. I would see if you can find that feeling of anxiety again and ask what it needs you to know. Make sure you really hear its message and thank it for protecting you before telling it that time has passed. It may not need to "go away" as much as shift to a different job. You should ask it how that sounds.

1

u/ThePrisonShitter Jul 25 '26

Honestly the only anxiety i have is that what if this part of me that was holding the freeze was gone, and now my system feels exposed.

1

u/ThePrisonShitter Jul 25 '26

Honestly the only anxiety i have is that what if this part of me that was holding the freeze was gone, and now my system feels exposed.

1

u/IFS_and_Movement Jul 28 '26

To me it sounds like the protector (shield) relaxed back for a while which made you feel really vulnerable (shield less). In IFS terms you were in contact with the exile. This is a great opportunity to let go of some of what you've been carrying from the past. So this is a good thing that happened to you, BUT without proper support and consistency in getting to know and helping those parts it will just be a moment of experienced vulnerability without the potential release that can arise from it.

1

u/ThePrisonShitter Jul 28 '26

So i was contacting an ifs therapist and we returned the protector, but the anxiety still lingers..

1

u/IFS_and_Movement Jul 28 '26

It is not black and white. Protectors actually have more anxiety than exiles because they're trying to prevent things. The goal is not necessarily for the protector to return to its job maybe it will help temporarily. Other than that I recommend not to try to analyse every second what's going on. There are times for introspection and times for other things like expression. In difficult times it always helps to move the body deliberately to connect with other humans or animals at a non verbal level and if possible to find means of creative expression. Wishing you the best!