Article In Magazine Sets Me Off For Over A Week~

[CabraVerde]

Hello, Raindownonme,
I can completely relate about the 'triggers' (articles, movies, the look in someone's eye, the scent of some specific cologne, etc.), although I have noticed with time, that the triggers are lessening. As I don't know your specific age, I can only just assume that you are about 15-20 years younger than me.
What I would personally advise a younger PTSD person:
1. Do not read triggering articles in the presense of another person (unless trusted), and particularly do not read something triggering which someone has suggested that you read, in front of him/her. I have found with time that some people are just not nice, and that they actually derive personally power off of subjecting a PTSD person to triggering materials. If you are curious, act disinterested, thank the person for the information, and then read in your own time and alone (or with your T). This may seem backwards, but given that we do want to learn/understand more about our own conditions, I think that one can only truly be triggered in having another party present while reading the information (and thus, being judged 'twice'). No one can force you to read an article, though sitting down with your BF to watch Caligula (his choice) and not knowing about Caligula, to only learn about Caligula as the film progresses; yes, that's an questionable person, with a questionable agenda, who's only really looking to trigger 'triggers' and thus, sadistically inflict pain. I can watch all sorts of movies now, read all sorts of articles, etc., now that I know that some SOB sadist is not looking over my shoulder and feeding off of my emotions, good or bad.
2) Who are your support persons? If you are getting bad vibes from an article in the presense of a certain person, likewise consider that your subconscious is being more triggered by the present person than the article itself. I have learned that a lot more of my supposed triggers were more about certain persons that objects or situations. It might not be valid in your depicted case, but reflect, and consider the possibility.

Basically, since points 1) and 2) are the same things said, just rewritten, check out the people around you...family, friends, and significant others. My triggers have basically gone away since I got rid of the questionable people...though women of my mother's age, who have attitudes outside of 'nice', still tend to rub me the wrong way.

Just my 2 cents on the matter. Nevertheless, an article can't hurt you so much as a person...so who's the person behind the article? Deal with him/her, and you won't be triggered so much anymore.

Peace, Love, and Prosperity!
Hang in there, Hon!

 

[Deaf Global Nomad]

This is such an important topic, Raindownonme. Thank you very much for posting it! Your post and others responses really have made me think.

I know myself pretty well and what triggers me. However, it still happens again and again. Some things are not predictable. I am interested in finding out what is going on in the world. So, I generally am interested in the news. A week ago they explained a detailed domestic violence situation between a football player and his wife. A specific word triggered me and I was gone until the afternoon of the next day. It took a while for me to figure out what happened. This was a short dissociation episode in my book.

I can often go for days or weeks in one dissociation episode. I am usually not immobile. I know my dog comes to let me know when it's feeding time and when to let him outside. I tend to be able to still go to appointments (e.g. therapy). My responsiveness is lowered or non-existent. So the other person usually realizes what's up. As I don't leave my house much otherwise, I can keep myself pretty safe. It does feel spooky though.

I have finally found a wonderful therapist and a psychiatrist after years of searching. They are independent of one another, which makes it safer for me. I have previously had both people working in the same clinic, which meant if I lost one, I automatically lost both. I also have a handful of other professionals who work with me: case manager, an ILS worker (both of these specialize in Deaf people), a rehabilitative mental health worker (from my research a position which is only available in Minnesota (U.S.), and a home maker. They all work together and communicate as needed with each other and the therapist and psychiatrist. This has helped keep me out of the hospital since 2007, which is not a place I want to visit again. The county, waivers, and medicaid pay for these services. None of these people make me do anything. I am in charge of what I want to work on as main goals as well as on a daily basis.

As for meds, a consulting psychiatrist for my family physician suggested a combo of meds that work really well for me. It did take some tweaking on the amounts of meds because I am a wimp. My family physician and I played as a combo of doctor/patient, chemists, and researchers to see if it helped without overwhelming my system. I now take Prozac, Klonopin (if needed), Ambien at night. I have no side effects and the way my body works I guess I don't build up a tolerance to any meds or dependent upon them.

I really hope that you can locate services that meet your needs.

 

[CabraVerde]

Thank YOU for sharing, DGN!

It's true that 'triggers' are not only an interesting discussion, but likewise a very relevant discussion for those of us here, dealing with PTSD. Again, I may be a lot older than a lot of others who are now posting, so perhaps that influences my postings consequentially...as I don't personally get so tripped out about my 'triggers' anymore. I guess that if one lives with the 'triggers' long enough, one learns to recognize them as being more like friends than enemies.

I know that probably sounds strange, but I am most often 'triggered' by persons anymore...and like a determined tap on my back shoulder, I learn to take notice and observe with my 'triggers.' I had a recent situation in which a man was trying to prey upon my emotions, manipulating me with religion, so on and so forth...and I got the 'tap' again. Today, this man shows up again at my WP, and has the audacity to say to me, "I should get a whole week's rent free for my therapy sessions!" It was incredulous, really, that statement!!! But instead of getting angry, I just thanked myself for having got that 'funky feeling' about this guy...three days before.

To me, 'triggers' are trying to tell me something, be it persons or situations. Triggers don't scare me anymore. Even this viral video on the web now about Hillary Adams, well, yes, it triggered me, but I just realized that it was about my own emotions about my own physical abuse. So, no, I am not scared of my 'triggers'. If we are all going to proceed and grow in our lives, move forward, etc., then I think that the 'triggers' serve a point, honestly. It's a matter of not only faith/spirituality, but of biology/evolution as well.

At this point in my life, I am not going to freak out about a trigger; instead, I am going to take a step back, breathe deeply, observe and learn. It's a connection in my own brain which is trying to tell me something; some associations are relevant (to be dealt with), and others need to be rerouted...because not every guy wearing motor grease is an A$$hole. Ultimately, the brain is a funny thing; we needed some things to survive our childhoods, but beyond that, those same things can become self-damaging/inhibiting, and thus obsolete. A magazine article is not going to freak me out, and the viral video is not going to freak me out, because at some point, like now, I am just going to have to 'own' my own feelings, process my own feelings, and more forward. Turn it inward? No, turn it out! If it bothers me so much, then I need to say something, and I did. I don't agree with corporal punishment; irrespective of my own personal background, I still believe that modeling appropriate adult behavior, along with giving love and respect, makes better kids and makes better eventual adults.

Some guy told me this last week at the WP, "You can't be abused unless you allow yourself to be abused." This is 85% appropriate for the majority of adults, YES, but not children (different dynamics); and yet, I can see how the same thing can be applied to negative self-talk and 'triggers.' The suggestion always is that 'triggers' happen to us, but that's not true; at some point, we have to take ownership of our own inner emotional/thinking landscapes if we want to get better, and move forward. Own it, feel it, process it! Otherwise, really, that's pretty high thinking...that the whole world is out to get you by SPECIFICALLY 'triggering' YOU!

If you understand it 'that way', then you can perhaps understand that your prior coping mechanism aren't working anymore. I don't mean to be harsh here at all, just honest...because I really want to see us all succeed!

Again, Thank YOU, DGF, because yes, this is a topic that needs to be discussed, honestly and in a safe forum.

Peace, Love, and Prosperity! (((HUGS)))