Anyone around? i'm so triggered!

[EveHarrington]

Is anyone around, perhaps to message? Just need someone to talk to. So triggered. Thanks.

 

[Seasounds]

Hi, I'm around. How can I be of help?

I'll check back in about every 10 minutes for the next 40 minutes. Then I'll go to sleep. And meanwhile, if I you start a conversation with someone else, I won't interrupt.

In case I miss you, sorry that you got badly triggered.

I know you may know all that I am about to say. When I am in your situation, It helps me to make sure I'm safe, and use my anxiety meds if my relaxation tools don't calm me down enough to be comfortable. Making sure that I have drank enough fluids and have eaten within the past 4 hours, helps. Taking a long warm bath helps my brain shift gears; so does a 'body scanning' relaxation technique. And like your thread implies, connecting to the right person is the best. If you don't connect to anyone, feel free to call the crisis line.

 

[EveHarrington]

I'm just so triggered tonight. By something stupid! I feel ashamed. And my paranoia is kicking into overdrive. I just want to pass out. I shouldn't use my meds like that though

 

[Enaila]

Breathe....Deep Breaths.....name a few things you see or hear around you.

 

[EveHarrington]

Thank you. I'm trying to ground myself. Feel frozen.

 

[Enaila]

What are three things you see?

 

[Seasounds]

Yes, breathe, and use your idea, to take your meds. Are you safe? If you are, verbally remind yourself you are safe. Notice the space your are in, are the doors locked? Verbally invite yourself, each part of your body, to relax.

Can you do something to help you feel sensations that you like, like a heating pad, a bath, gently stroking your arms? Wrapping a sheet or blanket around you?

Playing music that soothes you, or (exploring the expressive way to work through a trigger--moving to the music, and using your voice; imagine/verbally say what boundaries you want, and move your body to set the boundary. (Maybe say, "get back". Then verbally support yourself, " I am good to set boundaries."

One thing I do when triggered is to slowly talk out loud, verbally engaging, and describing what I am doing when I move around to do daily tasks. It helps me associate.

I will ask myself, many times, and slowly follow what comes to mind, "What do I need?"

It is helpful for me to remind myself that the trigger cycle takes a while to wear off. The frozen part is normal and it will wind down in a few hours.

 

[Enaila]

Even simple everyday things can trigger. I froze and then had tears running down my face once at a restaurant having supper with my supportive friend. I'd asked for the marinara sauce on the side of the chicken dish I was having and the waitress had brought a full bowl of sauce triggering one of my earliest traumas.

I have also found as I work through some of the trauma, I have new triggers develop. It is definitely frustrating!

 

[EveHarrington]

I see the tv! It's helping to keep my mind from going to a bad place. (Distraction).

One of these weird beetle-y bugs that run around our basement.

Sports stuff. Man-cave lol.

 

[EveHarrington]

I am safe. I think the doors are locked. Live in the middle of nowhere so nothing much ever happens here. It's nice and quiet. I have activity books that help ground me. Might work on them.

 

[Enaila]

Lol. Hope it doesn't smell too much like a man cave. Are they rolly pollies? If not, no thank you on weird beetles. What's on tv?

 

[EveHarrington]

I'm watching my big fat fabulous life. I think Whitney is an inspiration but I worry about her health as her weight has caused health problems for her :(