Sexual Assault Random new trigger

[SinkorSwim]

The other day I was driving home from therapy and we focused a lot on my sexual abuse during that session. I was thankfully only a block from home but I was triggered by a shirtless man mowing the lawn while I was driving by. My vision started to narrow and I got really cold and had the chills. Thankfully I was only a block from home so I was able to get myself home somehow. Getting cold is something new to me, is it common to happen when you get triggered? I felt like I have no control over getting cold what are somethings I can do to ground myself when I am cold?

 

[NoWhereKnowWhere]

Sounds kinda like a panic attack I can get cold and sweaty with them sometimes. Tunnel vision too and even hearing loss. Panic attacks can be different every time. Breathing exercises are actually really helpful with panic and anxiety attacks. 7/11 (in for 7 counts out for 11) helps as does box breathing (in for 4 hold 4 out 4 hold 4) there's some scientific reason it works but I can't possibly do the explanation justice so I'd google it.

As for a new trigger is it possible it was a one off? Due to circumstances? Having just done some heavy shit in therapy and unexpectedly seeing a shirtless dude was it more circumstantial maybe? I'd only call something a trigger if I had the reaction you described every time. Perhaps more stressor than trigger? Only time and repeated exposure will tell.

 

[Deleted member 37474]

Reminds me, a while back I drove by a guy who was zipping up his fly. I couldn't stop thinking about it for a week. Thank God I didn't freeze. Just emotions poured in.

 

[Sideways]

I get hot. Along with other more typical responses like nausea & a tremor, I often get a hot flush.

The grounding I use doesn't change from my ordinary techniques though, because rather than targeting those symptoms, I need to bring my mind's focus back ti engaging in the right-here-and-now. In the car, that can include flipping the radio on, because the music and chatter is spontaneous and can sometimes engage me.

 

[SinkorSwim]

Interesting I didn't think it was a panic attack because normally when I have panic attacks I hyperventilate and cry hysterically. So getting cold thing is new to me. Well I know I am extremely triggered by guys, but mostly strangers. I am fine with the guys I work with but if it's a guy I don't know then it becomes a trigger.

 

[Friday]

That's your blood being sucked into your core, adrenaline response. When it comes on suddenly it can feel like icewater in your veins. When it's a slower creep arms and legs, hands and feet get goosebumps, & face pales... as first the blood deserts the skin (protects you from bleeding if cut), then bone deep as it holds for longer, if you're not moving and forcing blood into your muscles. <<< That's the trick right there.

As a runner you probably aren't used to getting cold because you're burning off adrenaline as fast as you can make it, and ditto, forcing blood into your large muscle groups (which is one of the other ways this response can go, feeding super oxygenated blood directly to large muscle groups, if they're in use). Since you were sitting at the time, first in therapy with your stress up, and then driving, when you spiked... Voila. Brrr.

Movement & hot showers.

 

[8888]

I get cold when triggered sometimes.