Texas trigger - hoping harvey wipes it off the map.

[Nuni]

Not helpful. Really. Usually I don't say things like this, but REALLY? The OP is seriously struggling and you just decide...

I apologize that you feel this way. Just heard the 16 th tornado alarm in the last two days. The flood warnings are so ever present that we all just ignore them now. And we are all f*cking trapped and could actually die. People already have. I thought that my suggestion and empathy about emdr was being kind and helpful. Also helping the op see the reality of the situation. These are innocent people. They aren't the op's abusers. I am glad the op is trying to work through this. But whatever. I have a lot more on my mind right now than fighting with your judgements. The timing of this post was triggering and I shouldn't have read it. That is on me. That is not a guilt statement to op. FFS

 

[Jenog]

Excuse me? Why? Opinions are permitted.

 

[Jenog]

If neither of you is the original poster, knock it off.

"knock it off" ?

 

[Unuduf]

Would it help to put it in context?

There's plenty of pics around about hurricanes, cyclones and catastrophic flooding events around the world, and they're all pretty tragic.

Being displaced from your home is a devastating event for people to experience. Would it help to try and picture what's that's been like for people in other places, without all the localised triggers, so that you could maybe reset your mind: innocent people, people you've never met, losing their homes, is a tragic and devastating experience. And that's what's happening here. To countless people you've never met.

The people you are legitimately angry at? Aren't the only ones suffering.

If not? Then I'd switch off the news. Quite seriously, if it's triggering you, find ways to avoid it while you deal with your stuff.

 

[Ujul]

The OP is seriously struggling and you just decide to run him/her over the coals for it.

I'm sorry to get involved with this, BUT this whole thread stinks! I wish someone would please shut it down!

Am I being cruel to the OP, no I'm not. Am I minimizing their pain, abuse, lifelong scars? No, I'm not.

I suffer just as everyone else does. Last I checked, this forum was to encourage and come alongside those who live the life of ptsd.

I applaud op for recognizing and verbalizing that there is no ill will intended on those suffering in the real world. The innocent people loosing their livelihood and may actually end up with ptsd themselves for the horror they're witnessing at this moment. The op should be supported and encouraged in that step of healing. End the story there.

Others don't need attacks and bullies to tear them down simply because of where they live. Please don't forget that they too have lived a horror and despite the triggers and pain, they are now blessed with this on top of everything else.

Yes, I'm angry. Speaking out of place...maybe. I just care a lot for the person who tried hard to bring some real world reality into this thread and didn't deserve to be further hurt because of it.

Attack me if that's what will help. I beg you to leave the victim of the nightmare being called Harvey alone.

 

[Jenog]

Others don't need attacks and bullies to tear them down simply because of where they live. Please don't forget that they too have lived a horror and despite the triggers and pain, they are now blessed with this on top of everything else.

Agreed

 

[Pibo]

Ummm I guess I should apologize for starting this.....debate? What I was hoping for were some suggestion for handling the extreme reactions I was having to the trigger. I know i sounded like a monster..and how I was feeling was scaring the crap out of me.

I guess I was hoping that maybe talking about it would help me see that I ...........well honestly I guess I don't know what I was hoping for. But I didn't intend for it to go like it did. I'm sorry for creating such a mess -it certainly wasnt my intention. @ugul is right. Its time to shut this down

@pinum thanks for the link. It helped

 

[Jicav]

I see it hasn't been shut down yet -
Just wanted to say, I think you don't need to worry or feel bad about yourself for your "extreme" reaction. It is probably not out of proportion to your suffering. And it doesn't mean you want millions of innocent people to die!
Rage is indiscriminate. It's also not connected to rationality, as far as I know. If your rational mind was convinced that the death of all Texans would make you feel better, I'd be concerned in a way I'm not right now. The thought, "Go on Harvey, wipe Texas off the map!" gives vent to your rage, without endangering anyone.
If you associate Texas with the people who caused your suffering and those who turned their backs on you, then maybe the news reports trigger a feeling of, "I'm supposed to feel sorry for/concerned about Texas? No way!", for example.
And: it might be a good idea to not watch any news for a while. Give yourself a break; the world will still be there when you switch it back on again.

 

[Edapo]

I see it hasn't been shut down yet -
Just wanted to say, I think you don't need to worry or feel bad about yourself for...

How weird - why did that post as anonymous? I'm logged in! Oh well.

 

[Nuni]

How weird - why did that post as anonymous? I'm logged in! Oh well.

Because this is an anonymous thread. Everyone turns so when writing, I quite honestly wish it wasn't. There are a few people I wish that I could honestly dialogue with from this post.

 

[Mihef]

In AA recovery they have the self examination in their step 4. In step 4 where you chronicle in depth all wrongs real or perceived on the part of others or yourself. One of those areas when you get to step 5 which is disclosure with a mentor is "institutions". To me, the opening poster being angry and wanting Texas wiped off the map is really no different - it is the state/place where something traumatic occurred.

Other people do it with other institutions as well like doctors (I had a bad experience with a doctor, or several - now I don't go to the doctor), dentists, law enforcement, etc. Just some examples. It is a hyper-instinct gone awry... that is a maladaptive over generalization and can and does occur for some people. The opening poster is acknowledging their disturbance, their anger/rage... and is wise to realize that this is an area they needed some feedback on.

There are also a number of cognitive distortions involved... and the core belief to be dealt with is that "wiping Texas off the map would relieve the mental/emotional pain" (it wouldn't). It is hard to talk candidly about stuff like this even in an anonymous forum area especially during a catastrophic event in that state where obviously the poster has had so much hurt and pain and trauma.

The anger article I put up is very long and some things don't really apply... however it is a deeply comprehensive look at the emotion and the feelings that it may be covering up from the standpoint of a traumatized person. I hope you give it a read. I had to step back myself for a while before posting more than the article link because like someone or a couple someone's did... I couldn't get past the idea that what was occurring there was "karma" considering the estimated 10 million people not even counting pets and livestock that are being affected during this natural disaster.

Threads here and elsewhere often dissolve into crosstalk nit picking and that bugs the heck out of me. Anyways, those were my thoughts and don't be apologetic for starting the thread... honesty is best for your healing in order to get past the anger and thoughts of fantasy thinking or karma because of what "they" did to you and get down to the issues underneath.

 

[Bavajo]

I think the article on anger was very helpful to me and for myself in a totally different situation I can see that I have undealt with anger. So I am glad for the poster who put that article up. I am not the OP.