Quick Way To Explain You May Be Triggered?

[ellienad]

I'm curious, does anyone have something quick and to the point that they say to let someone know they may be triggered? For example, if I were to go to an exercise class (yoga, pilates, etc) there are aspects that would be very triggering. I would want to let the instructor know ahead of time so I could stop if I needed to, but I'm at a loss on what to say. Same goes for a doctor's appointment or dentist appointment. It causes anxiety having to think about how I'm going to explain that I could be triggered, so I would love to have something to say that fills them in quickly and I can move on quickly. Any ideas?

 

[The Albatross]

Rather than adapt the world to your circumstance, why don't you goal/challenge yourself to normalize these situations? My own primary shrink was adamant and astute. He told me quite frankly, "It is not up to the world to adapt to your circumstances, it is up to you to learn how to cope and adapt yourself to the world."

I agreed then, and still do. It spurred me on to seek out and find coping strategies.

 

[Reds]

I agree with The albertros, when I am with people who know about my condition I normally just stop talking completely then they would know that I am not ok with the particular thing. With my therapist I use colors so when I say black she knows we have to change the subject immediately, when I say red then we need to be careful and sensitive around the matter. I find this works for me.

 

[ellienad]

@The Albatross To me, "normalizing" these situations would be the exact same thing I did when my original trauma happened. It would put me in a position of being uncomfortable and unwilling, but trying to normalize and rationalize that it's okay. Speaking up IS a coping strategy for me. I understand that the world can't adapt to my circumstances, and I wouldn't expect that. However, in learning how to cope and adapt myself to the world, that means letting someone know if something is triggering or is a problem. There's empowerment that comes with speaking up.

@Reds

when I am with people who know about my condition I normally just stop talking completely

I'm the same way, that's why I'm trying to think of something simple to say without going into detail. You're technique with the colors is a great example of that.

 

[BloomInWinter]

I've found it easier to explain up front that there will be times that I may need to pause, or stop what I'm doing, or leave. I ask them to please go on with what they are doing and allow me to handle it myself.

This seems to work, for me, in all situations. It's always ok to do what we need to do for ourselves.

 

[The Albatross]

I do not go into world situations expecting or asking for accommodations. Period. I do not tend to extract assistance either. I do it, or I attempt to do it often going back to the drawing board.

 

[The Albatross]

Why do you think it is important for people to know when you are in difficulty? I can tell you that it would be helpful perhaps to me but 9/10ths of the time in real life people are actualizing their own wants/needs/desires. I do not expect nor encourage accommodation. It is my onus and better if I manage it.

 

[Lucycat]

I do not go into world situations expecting or asking for accommodations.

Me too. My T has encouraged me to push myself to the limit and not ask for excuses. I understand saying that May offend some people, but he knows that I have always risen to a challenge. In my current studies I could have declared my CPTSD to get extra help but chose not to. I have already faced triggers from the course work but have dealt with this in therapy not in studies.

 

[Changing4Best]

To the exercise instructor, instead of mentioning your PTSD, you might just say that there are some moves that you may not be able to do on your bad days, and if she asks for any further details, just say that you wanted her to know that, but that you would not care to discuss it further. As to your dentist, most of them know that folks feel on edge or have strange reactions to them, so don't bother saying anything. As to your Doctor, the fact that you have PTSD should be in your records, but I think it would be OK to say, "You know I have PTSD from my records, so in case I get triggered or something, please don't be shocked".

For most other folks, it is my opinion that it is none of their business, so don't bring it up.

And yes, we have to adapt to the world, not vice versa, but I know that after a person is recently having been diagnosed and just having started therapy, this is hard. I was kicked out of a church once (permanently) for having emotional outbursts. This is part of the liability of being PTSD, and I guess we just have to deal with it. I see no other way.

I hope this is helpful.

 

[ellienad]

@The Albatross and @Lucycat I respect your opinions and thank you for sharing your two cents. Each of us are unique individuals and handle things differently.

 

[Springer80]

Id just say you have a medical condition and at times you need to go at your own pace. You dont need to justify yourself anymore than that.

 

[The Albatross]

Hmmm. Okay. You do though realize that that's just another way to ask for an accommodation though right?