How Do You Cope With Your Triggers/streesors When...

[J_trustno1]

you have to work with them?

I am afraid of certain men and from a certain culture due to childhood sexual abuse and adulthood abuse. I tend to shut off or become numb or either get very frustrated around such men. I don't know what do i do? I don't want to keep running away from my fear but would rather face them.

What coping techniques do you use when you need to deal with your triggers?

 

[Ronin]

I turn them into something I can manage.

Or at least describe them in a language that conveys familiar & hence doable. Perhaps not less a cluster, but a cluster that's mine, chaos I know how to insert order to.

 

[ms spock]

I use all the techniques of DBT and I am working through this website step by step DBT Self Help - bit by bit it starts to settle down.

I also use the CBT book David Burns. Daily I work on my distorted cognitions.

I do Mindfulness. Body scans, mindful movement.

I do exercise.

I get to bed on time.

I do lots of Self Compassion from Kristin Neff's website. Self Compassion Break's are a big one for me.

I do Radical Acceptance.

I do lots of Self Soothing.

I work on not being in ruminations.

I work on not being in "What ifs"

I also break things down and reassure myself that those are feelings from the past and not th reality of today.

I do Peter Walkers "13 Steps of Emotional Flashback" Pete Walker, M.A. Psychotherapy

I practice Gratitude

Then I repeat and repeat and repeat and repeat and then I practice and practice and practice and I practice.

 

[Freedomfighter]

you have to work with them?

I am afraid of certain men and from a certain culture due to childhood...

View them in your mind as little boys in diapers, most of the time they are just that. And most of the time they behave like that too.

 

[Changing4Best]

I look around at things in the environment, take deep breaths, feel my seat or the floor under my feet, listen for sounds, leave the place where I am at if it becomes unbearable. (I know that last is not always possible)!

I talk it over with my therapist or write it in an email to her. Or if it is really bad, I call her. I rarely do that though, as she would most likely be with someone in session and I don't like to interrupt. However, if it is really intense, I have called her. And she has talked me through it.

Things I don't do are to eat something (which is something I would tend to do when I get upset). I do have a half a pill I can take called Clonazepam, which is only for emergencies. I rarely take it, but it is prescribed for those intense moment of panic or anxiety. It helps me when I do take it. However, in my opinion, it is my last resort.

 

[Ronin]

Then I repeat and repeat and repeat and repeat and then I practice and practice and practice and I practice.

This is beautiful. :D:ninja: Repeated Goals.