When I was about 10, I had a lovely deep pressure vest. I'm not sure if it was entirely the pressure, or if the compression involved in properly fastening it also was part of what I liked, I know that before I got the vest I tried a few improvised compression solutions (under my mum's supervision, I was careful), that were pleasant experiences. However, I am an AFAB individual, so that hug vest obviously fit preteen me reasonably for a lot less time than it might have continued to fit if I was AMAB. And as far as I can tell, no one makes pressure vests for sensory purposes in adult sizes (and anything labeled a sensory tool or disability aid tends to be at a premium, and I really couldn't afford it anyway). I've been looking for a replacement for that hug vest for over a decade now.
I've been asking everyone I know IRL to help me look for solutions, but most of them are NT individuals who've never worn a pressure vest ever, so, I thought it might be more productive to ask other neurodiverse folks for solutions.
infuziSporg [e/em/eir] - 4mon
Do you suppose a corset might have the same effect? I've heard several femme friends who do theater or cosplays complaining about how extra-tight and constraining lots of corsets are.
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alexei_1917 [mirror/your pronouns] - 4mon
That is exactly the suggestion I didn't want to hear. I came here and posted this to try to refuse to appease the part of me that's currently hyperfixated on the Victorian era. If I solve the compression and pressure problem by modern means, then I don't have the stories from neurodivergent women who do historical reenactment and love their stays taunting me.
(I need the deep pressure that vest gave, not the constricting effect from the more common compression vests, anyway.)
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1
ComradeOohAah [he/him, they/them] - 4mon
Have you tried looking at life preserver vests? Might be able to get the deep pressure without the constriction with the right model. A bit bulky though.
2
alexei_1917 [mirror/your pronouns] - 4mon
I don't think that will solve the deep pressure, but I know it works for compression without feeling constrained in a bad way, which is a delicate balancing act. Honestly, it's probably one reason why I really like going to the beach or out on my dad's boat. In that context, it's good safety practice and won't interfere with intended exercise. My hug vest was also pretty obtrusive, that's not a concern. Another thing I had as a kid, before the hug vest, was just a zip up sleeveless top, a couple sizes too small, that my mum and I bought at the charity shop, then she let the armseyes out a bit, it didn't accomplish the pressure but it did a nice job on the compression. I suspect that recreating that is more possible than the deep pressure vest, but would also be considerably more work now, because everything around these types of problems is harder when you have female secondary sex characteristics.
There are multiple accessible ways for me to get pure compression. It's the deeper pressure effect I'm struggling to find.
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I had to leave my weighted blanket when I moved overseas and I found that using a shoulder weight has been really helpful.
2
alexei_1917 [mirror/your pronouns] - 4mon
I have a weighted blanket! It's nice. Not the same, but nice. It helps me get to sleep easier. But the downside is it's harder to wake up when I want to for some reason, and I can only really use it when I want to be in bed, because the weights behave oddly if I try to use it in other positions you might use a blanket in.
A shoulder weight would probably do the opposite of help. I hate weight on my shoulders. I hate purses because you either have to carry it in your hands or on your shoulder.
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1
ComradeOohAah [he/him, they/them] - 4mon
This is not what you're looking for. However, knowing that there is a big crossover between Kink x NT, I'm simply passing it along as it may be something you'll find interesting. Also, may give you ideas to come up with a solution.
Huh. I wonder why that is. Doesn't make sense to me. (I don't want to open a NSFW website without specific warnings. What exactly are you passing along?)
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2
ComradeOohAah [he/him, they/them] - 4mon
Oh, it's a store for inflatable play. Like inflatable costumes. Much like with latex, I'm told one of the appeals is the application of pressure.
1
alexei_1917 [mirror/your pronouns] - 4mon
Ah. I definitely have less than zero interest in that. But thanks for trying to help.
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alexei_1917 in neurodiverse
Trying to replace my childhood hug vest.
When I was about 10, I had a lovely deep pressure vest. I'm not sure if it was entirely the pressure, or if the compression involved in properly fastening it also was part of what I liked, I know that before I got the vest I tried a few improvised compression solutions (under my mum's supervision, I was careful), that were pleasant experiences. However, I am an AFAB individual, so that hug vest obviously fit preteen me reasonably for a lot less time than it might have continued to fit if I was AMAB. And as far as I can tell, no one makes pressure vests for sensory purposes in adult sizes (and anything labeled a sensory tool or disability aid tends to be at a premium, and I really couldn't afford it anyway). I've been looking for a replacement for that hug vest for over a decade now.
I've been asking everyone I know IRL to help me look for solutions, but most of them are NT individuals who've never worn a pressure vest ever, so, I thought it might be more productive to ask other neurodiverse folks for solutions.
Do you suppose a corset might have the same effect? I've heard several femme friends who do theater or cosplays complaining about how extra-tight and constraining lots of corsets are.
That is exactly the suggestion I didn't want to hear. I came here and posted this to try to refuse to appease the part of me that's currently hyperfixated on the Victorian era. If I solve the compression and pressure problem by modern means, then I don't have the stories from neurodivergent women who do historical reenactment and love their stays taunting me.
(I need the deep pressure that vest gave, not the constricting effect from the more common compression vests, anyway.)
ⓘ This user is suspected of being a bear. Please report any suspawcious behaviour.
Have you tried looking at life preserver vests? Might be able to get the deep pressure without the constriction with the right model. A bit bulky though.
I don't think that will solve the deep pressure, but I know it works for compression without feeling constrained in a bad way, which is a delicate balancing act. Honestly, it's probably one reason why I really like going to the beach or out on my dad's boat. In that context, it's good safety practice and won't interfere with intended exercise. My hug vest was also pretty obtrusive, that's not a concern. Another thing I had as a kid, before the hug vest, was just a zip up sleeveless top, a couple sizes too small, that my mum and I bought at the charity shop, then she let the armseyes out a bit, it didn't accomplish the pressure but it did a nice job on the compression. I suspect that recreating that is more possible than the deep pressure vest, but would also be considerably more work now, because everything around these types of problems is harder when you have female secondary sex characteristics.
There are multiple accessible ways for me to get pure compression. It's the deeper pressure effect I'm struggling to find.
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A possible short term solution could be something like this: https://www.yixitextile.com/neck-and-shoulder-weighted-blanket.html
I had to leave my weighted blanket when I moved overseas and I found that using a shoulder weight has been really helpful.
I have a weighted blanket! It's nice. Not the same, but nice. It helps me get to sleep easier. But the downside is it's harder to wake up when I want to for some reason, and I can only really use it when I want to be in bed, because the weights behave oddly if I try to use it in other positions you might use a blanket in.
A shoulder weight would probably do the opposite of help. I hate weight on my shoulders. I hate purses because you either have to carry it in your hands or on your shoulder.
ⓘ This user is suspected of being a bear. Please report any suspawcious behaviour.
This is not what you're looking for. However, knowing that there is a big crossover between Kink x NT, I'm simply passing it along as it may be something you'll find interesting. Also, may give you ideas to come up with a solution.
[nsfw] https://candycoatedus.com/
Huh. I wonder why that is. Doesn't make sense to me. (I don't want to open a NSFW website without specific warnings. What exactly are you passing along?)
ⓘ This user is suspected of being a bear. Please report any suspawcious behaviour.
Oh, it's a store for inflatable play. Like inflatable costumes. Much like with latex, I'm told one of the appeals is the application of pressure.
Ah. I definitely have less than zero interest in that. But thanks for trying to help.
ⓘ This user is suspected of being a bear. Please report any suspawcious behaviour.