How Long Is Your Recovery Time After A Big Trigger Incident?

[cupfish]

My husband and I both have PTSD and there are times when we trigger each other. When that happens we typically have a crazy fight where we both are hyper defensive, angry and the whole situation is just overcharged with emotion and anxiety. What happens is that hubby builds up fears/anxieties and discharges all this emotion in a single event -- a fight with his wife. I tend to address my various PTSD-related worries more daily, I can't let it build up. So, after he has what we call an "episode" he feels pretty great the next day -- like blowing out the carburetor in your car, clean and a fresh start. We always make up, there is no abuse, but for me the recovery time takes DAYS. It takes all of my will on a good day to stay out of my deep, dark hole of depression and these "episodes" push me back into that black thinking. Husband is working hard not to let his anxiety build up so we no longer have episodes, but that is a long road, bless his heart. It's Thursday and I am still not over Sunday's blow-up. So, how long does it take others to bounce back to whatever you call "normal" after taking a major trigger incident?

 

[Anarchy]

Like you, I'm still adrenalized today (Thursday) from a row on Sunday.

 

[arfie]

My hubs and I have a similar domestic pattern. We call it, "The Eggshell Waltz." I have no doubt our individual psychological baggage bring certain elements to the dance, but I think it is a marital issue. It is the chemistry between us which fuels this one. When that chemistry starts going, "BOOM!" it literally rocks my world. All of it. Ouch on top of ouch.

How long does it take me to get over it??? Our early rounds were over 30 years ago and I am still not over some of them. Others I can blow off easily. I don't think I have an accurate measure for that healing timeline. Hubs and I keep the focus on the preventative measures. Neither one of us really enjoys The Eggshell Waltz. We're trying to learn new dances...

Good loving takes time to learn, cupfish. It's okay if it takes a lifetime.

 

[gingerbrdgrl]

Hi Cupfish,
I've had ptsd for 12 years and it used to take me weeks to recover or even months. Now, its more like days when something happens. Right now I have insomnia and something happened yesterday, so here I am still awake. It's important to take care of yourself and just be kind to yourself. Meditation, warm baths, tea, and my cat, always help me. I have used relaxation cd's or I go to the beach and sit in the sand. Whatever helps to make you feel grounded. It gets better over time...I think. I hope you bounce back soon. : )

 

[Lucycat]

It used to take me weeks but has certainly got shorter and shorter over the years. Now a day and I see it all differently.

 

[TLight]

Takes me about 4-5 days now. I get so exhausted and have to hide under my covers for awhile to regain strength. After flashbacks, it can be longer, as my flashbacks are more like horrendous seizures.

 

[Nam]

It kind of depends. If it's a new memory, it might take me a good week or more. First is the anxiety for at least two days, then I crash into depression for a few days. The recovery always takes the same theme but it varies on the length and intensity depending on what it is. Other flashbacks might set me back for a few days. The sleeping thing is so hard. If I too loose much sleep during the anxiety phase, the harder it is to crawl out of the depression stage.

 

[Fruitl00ps]

It depends on the trigger for my husband, but for him it seems to be anywhere from days to a week or more :( Right now things are so chaotic in our lives that he seems to be triggering almost daily and just not sure how long it'll take him to come out of this once we get some stability back in our lives. Good luck to you both!

 

[Friday]

Depends on the type.

Military stuff & Im still messed up over a week later. We'll see how long this one goes for. In the past it's gone anywhere from days to years. Shrug. We'll see.

My kid? Ugh. I just slept myself around the clock. Again. Lost 2 days this week because I had to re-bury him in my mind. Other times I'm spun the f*ck out and reeling for weeks on end.

 

[TonyG]

I had a detailed flashback three weeks ago on a Saturday and woke up not knowing where I was, as in present day or 30 years ago when my trauma happened, I'm back to normal now so this time it was three weeks of anxiety some time off work and some long therapy sessions, and medication.

 

[cupfish]

Husb and I start with the fight, which used to be up to 8 days, now we are down to 1/2 day (yay!). Then recovery starts with my being catatonic for 48 hours, moving in slo mo. Lots of sleeping and my body hurts. Then I get quiet and still tired 2 more days. Day 5 is better, still fragile. If husband and I had a fight tonight I would be a mess all through Xmas. Not likely to happen, he is still feeling great post-battle. I am trying to catch some of his energy and get back to an even keel.

It AMAZES me how similar we all are. Incredible. Bless you all, no triggers!!

 

[RussH]

A regular trigger; a couple of hours to days. A major trigger? I had one a year ago in October and it took months, and if not for my anti anxiety medication I would not be over it still.