Question About Stressors

[MisterCatLady]

This may be a dumb question but does a stressor have to directly pertain to your trauma to be labeled as a "stressor"? I'm composing a list of my stressors and triggers. Some items on my list could potentially have been developed by my trauma but I really don't have the energy to think about it just yet. I suppose I could treat them as such until I get to that point in my recovery. Any opinions and view points would be helpful.

 

[Bliss]

This may be a dumb question but does a stressor have to directly pertain to your trauma to be lab...

I have found many things I didn't think we're related to trauma were, it is hard to always know for sure. I would say anything you see as a stressor is a stressor, not sure the context of this though, good luck!

 

[Deleted member 541]

I have had and do have stressors that send me into a world of shit, but I don't "think" they are related to my trauma. They could be, but maybe I just haven't found the connection yet.

 

[Enaila]

Stressors for me (usually everyday stress magnified by my ptsd...see PTSD article on Cup Overflowing): work deadlines, miscommunication with others, running behind on an appointment, forgetting something, feeling overwhelmed by requests for others, lack of sleep, feeling taken advantage of, noisy crowds, etc.

Triggers (related directly to my traumas and "trigger" flashbacks): guns, police, abuse shows, loud noises, men who look like my father, etc.

Hope this helps.

 

[Muted]

Thank you for clarifying that @Enaila , I've probably been overusing the word trigger:)!

 

[Enaila]

I will say the more stressed I am, the easier I am "triggered" which is why self-care is so important to managing the stress. When I acknowledge and calm my stress, I have an easier time grounding myself if a flashback is triggered. I hope this isn't more confusing to you. Bottom line is to manage stress and not let things build up or be "buried" as I have a habit of doing when I avoid. I can have some control over stressors (yeah, I like to be in control), but triggers I have little say in outside of maybe avoiding known ones and learning to desensitize to them.

 

[Arebas]

This topic is so interesting to me. I was also quite confused about these. Sorry if I am deviating a bit from it but, is it weird that sometimes when I have too many stressors I actually go to find something that would trigger me? Like I have way to much on my plate and then I go read an old entry on my journal or think about something traumatic on purpose so that I get into the whole emotional big thing and force me to dissociate so I can go on with my day? That's probably not a healthy way to cope, isn't it?

 

[MisterCatLady]

This topic is so interesting to me. I was also quite confused about these. Sorry if I am deviating a bit...

I know exactly what you mean! For me, it's hard to resist that urge once it's there. Like I know something will trigger me and I know that avoiding triggers is in alignment with my life goals but the pull is sometimes too strong. Doesn't happen as often as it used to.

 

[Arebas]

I know exactly what you mean! For me, it's hard to resist that urge once it's there. Like I know...

Healthy or not, at least I'm glad I'm not the only one! :hug:

 

[joeylittle]

@MisterCatLady -
You might find this piece useful: Stressor vs. Trigger - What Is A Trigger?