fin said:
---I am not trying to wind you up---to avoid facing what triggers you---would like to point out that if you don't know what it is that triggers you and where it came from, then how can you guard against being triggered?
A good question fin, so here's my answer! It's a little bit involved! It's a List!
I don't wind up, never have, never will, and I choose to read what I read and I assume that the opinions written are those of the writer. If I don't want to read something I don't read it, I may choose to come back at a later date to see why I don't want to read it, and that would be for my own learning process. I do not read everything.
I don't consider that I avoid facing what triggers me, I consider a trigger as a simple warning sign that something is going on that needs my attention.
I am aware that noise triggers me, possibly from a car accident. The only thing that I can work with is what is going on right now at this moment. The accident is over I can't change that, but it left some unfinished business in my brain which apparently needs some attention, I can't take care of the trigger in one shot so I process it, this is how I do it:
An example: noise triggers me, so I'm at a store and there is some noise - music or something on the speaker systerm
1. I am aware that I'm becoming triggered
2. I check to see what I'm feeling
3. I check to see that am I safe
4. I make a point of breathing and just being aware of my body sensations which also helps to distract the thoughts somewhat and it helps to take my pulse, another distraction which has a calming effect, something to do with the beat, I don't count the pulse I feel it.
5. I consentrate on breathing and 'listening' to what else is with the trigger, that is, what does it remind me of
6. I allow the trigger to be there, accepting it and acknowledging it's existence allows it to flow until it recedes on it's own
7. It is the trigger that I work with, I let it be there, as soon as I figured out how to do this the triggers got less frequent and less scary
8. I know now what they are, so the real fear is not necessary, they are very temporary, even though I may have a different one that gets to me before I realize it, I am aware that the next time I can process it properly.
The noise example is very common, the first time I had it I ran, scared, now I am less reactive, I say ah this one again and I allow it, process it and it disintigrates, I'm also able to function and think and be aware all at the same time and let the 'easy ones' just pass, perhaps with a sigh which signifies it's complete.
The really heavy duty one's happen because I'm not processing them and I get triggered first before I realize what's going on.
To find my triggers I carry a tape recorder and make a note of them as they role in, some days none, some days many.
All this takes the emotion out of it so I'm dealing with facts, which are easier.
So the big thing for me is that I don't guard against being triggered, I work with it.
When the big emotional issue is reduced, which happens if I put it in the back of my mind without working on it, but I remain aware ot it, it tends to calm down over a period of about two weeks, then I can write about it, just write and listen as I write, I don't plan what I write, it just comes up and that is what I deal with, I don't really think about it, I just notice what is on my mind.
I think this is fourpence worth, :thumbs-up
Heather
