Trauma, Triggers And Dissociation

[wolfie205]

I have so many questions to ask about PTSD and I don't really know where this topic should go into, so I'm just posting it here. Sorry if it sounds like a lot of questions...

Firstly, what exactly is dissociation because I know it's different for everyone. I don't have DID, just some sort of derealisation or depersonalisation. I space out a lot, meaning I can be sitting there and talking one moment and the next thing I know, my friend is snapping her fingers at me to get my attention. Other times and this happens pretty often, I can be talking to someone and suddenly, I can't really hear what they're saying. I know they're talking because I can see their lips moving but I can't hear anything at all. Sometimes in therapy, I just turn and stare out the window and it's like I have no idea what's going on around me anymore. I started getting curious because my T asked me if things slowed down during the anxiety attacks that I have and I realise that things did go in slow motion or things got blurry during my anxiety attacks. I don't know what causes dissociation or if it's related to anxiety or trauma. Sometimes when I dissociate, it has nothing to do with my trauma at all. Is it just an anxiety thing? Or do you need to have trauma to have dissociation?

Secondly, how do you know when you are triggered? Sometimes I don't even know what triggers my symptoms and I feel like everything I'm going through is completely random. I feel as if the hypervigilance and not feeling safe or feeling like I can trust people must be because there's something wrong with me. Then this week, I realised that something that had happened really triggered me and that was why I was feeling anxious and hypervigilant the entire day. Is there a way to know when you're just triggered and how do you tell yourself that everything you feel is just in your head?

Lastly, does stress affect PTSD? My T seems to think that because I have been under a lot of stress lately that my symptoms have getting worse but I can cope just fine when I'm not under stress at all. Does stress increase the chances of you getting triggered and triggers all the other symptoms like the anxiety attacks and the hypervigilance? Now I'm starting to wonder if I really have PTSD or if I'm just really stressed out because all my symptoms seem to happen when I'm under a lot of stress.

Sorry for the long post, just wanted to know what's going on...

 

[LisawithPTSD]

There's a good book: PTSD SourceBook" That helped me to understand.I'm not a therapist but what you discribe is how I dissociate. Once I started getting serious treatment, this lessened. It can also be caused or exacerbated by hormonal issues so get that checked out as well.

I had a difficult time understanding my triggers as well. My PTSD was so complex that I've spent a few years to figger them out. I basically had to look for a common thread. I was taught to write it down--right (or dominant hand) asks questions and left (non-dominant) answers. Seemed to help.

Stress does make my PTSD worse. I work to eliminate stress and if I fell triggered or stressed, I try to take time to relax. Its eems to make triggers worse for me.

 

[TheGreaterPurpose]

LisawithPTSD,

That is an interesting concept of writing down triggers with your dominant hand and answering with your non-dominant hand. Did your T tell you about this? What is the reasoning behind this strategy if I might ask?

I'm going to try it. I have no idea what my stressors are. I've actually just learned about these concepts of stressors and triggers. They seem to happen at totally random times for me. Just last week I felt I was in a good place in my life and boom I went into a depression and stayed cooped up in my apartment for 4 days. Thx for the advice though. I'm definitely going to give it a shot.

 

[TheGreaterPurpose]

wolfie205,

Have you tried any stress reducing techniques? Exercise, yoga, reading or any other hobbies?

When I need to relieve some stress I love swimming, running, or lifting weights. I didn't always know what would relieve my stress. I experimented with a lot of different things. I've meditated, done yoga, and read spiritual scriptures. At the end of the day I found that physical activity reduced my stress the most.

Maybe you can try experimenting with things that will help you reduce some of your stress. Find out what you like.

Hope you feel better! :)

 

[franciemarnie]

There are a lot of great articles on the forum re: dissociation, etc.

That said - everyone dissociates. Daydreaming is a mild form. You have left present reality. The other end of the spectrum is DID.

I know I have been triggered when I go numb, dissociate or am in hypervigilant mode. Learning my triggers help, but unless I stay cooped up inside - I can't do much to prevent unexpected triggers out in the world - tho grounding techniques, etc. can do much to bring me back.

Even if I do stay isolated, if I am visualizing anything related to trauma, I might get triggered. I've spent many a weekend in a sort of frozen mode in my apartment.

Without a doubt, stress creates an inner environment conducive to exacerbating my PTSD characteristics.

 

[DharmaGirl]

I learned to recognize triggers by going over incidents, such as suicidal thoughts, flashbacks, increased hyperarousal, and going over the day before it looking for triggers. We eventually made a list of "red flags" that could push me over the edge. When I had 3 or more, I would set my emergency plan into effect. It really helped me identify stressors and triggers so I could use more self care when these things happened.

These are good questions, but they take time to understand. Therapy helps a lot. You can learn a great deal in therapy.

 

[LisawithPTSD]

That is an interesting concept of writing down triggers with your dominant hand and answering with your non-dominant hand. Did your T tell you about this? What is the reasoning behind this strategy if I might ask?

It's called "dialoguing." Part of the problem with trauma, as my T told me is that the left and right brain need to communicate. I think the concept is that when you go thru trauma--especially at an early age--your brain has trouble making the story for the emotions.

 

[Abstract]

Hi Wolfie,
I think most of the dissociation you describe seems to be dissociative trance and as you say depersonalisation/derealisation related. One way of looking at it is taking being fully awake and present and then at the other end of the spectrum being asleep. In some ways there can be levels of consciousness between the two which mean we are not fully there and interacting with world around us. Do you know about grounding?

I don't know what causes dissociation or if it's related to anxiety or trauma. Sometimes when I dissociate, it has nothing to do with my trauma at all. Is it just an anxiety thing? Or do you need to have trauma to have dissociation?

Actually with these types of dissociation it doesn't have to be about trauma at all. People who have depression and anxiety disorders experience it too. It's very common in PTSD though.

I find for me sometimes it seems to be directly related trauma and to re living and others it is to do with heightened anxiety. Yes, anxiety is often directly linked to increased dissociation. That's why it's better not to get stressed about dissociation if we can help it.

Increased stress and symptoms? This explains it really well. https://www.myptsd.com/threads/the-ptsd-cup-explanation.13737/

When the stress cup overflows then the PTSD symptoms come fast and strong.

 

[LisawithPTSD]

figger

Lol--My typos are funny. You can tell I'm a hillbilly.