What's Your Initial Reaction To A Trigger?

[Jade-]

I have finally realized that when something triggers me I feel it in my gut first.It literally feels like a punch to the gut and then I instantly feel physically ill.Then it radiates throughout my body like an explosion and then I react. Sometimes I react with anger and rage and other times it's instant anxiety,panic, depression and bad thoughts about myself that cause me to spiral down to the depths of hell and I want to die.Either way,it usually lasts anywhere from a few days to a week and sometimes much longer.

Sometimes it's really hard to pull myself out of that rage and I feel so bad about myself afterwards.Sometimes it's hard to pull myself out of the depression and I just spiral down deeper and deeper.Both always pass eventually even though they feel like they never will while they're happening.But now that I am aware of what happens right after I'm hoping that instead of getting lost in it I can somehow gradually learn to control my reactions,even if just a little.That would be ideal rather than not being able to pause,breathe and think and then suffering the consequences.It all seemed so senseless before,I couldn't understand how it all could happen so fast and go from bam,there's the trigger to now I'm in the aftermath.Many times I haven't even been able to recognize that I've been triggered until after the days of rage have subsided and then think to myself "oh,I see,I got triggered by that and then flew into a rage all those days". or "oh wow,I can't believe I was actually thinking and planning how to kill myself,I can't believe I didn't recognize I had been triggered". I hate not knowing/realizing until after the fact.And I'm hoping that will change.

Have you been able to figure out what your initial reactions to triggers are?Has it helped you,does just having that awareness help you in any way?

 

[Jade-]

I just experienced what I talked about above.And although my entire body is shaky I have done pretty well at controlling my reaction so far.

I see that I can't prevent being triggered and symptoms but it is possible to recognize what's happening instead of automatically reacting.

 

[Rani G2]

@JadeB.

Have you been able to figure out what your initial reactions to triggers are?Has it helped you,does just having that awareness help you in any way?

I‘m yet far away from realization, putting it into context, analyzing and then taking „appropriate“(Whatever that means) action. It’s extremely hard (From my own experience) To step into that selfawareness state.
Only through realizing inner states, voices and doing the work to integrate them, was I able to reduce the aftermath effects.

 

[Jade-]

I agree that it's extremely hard.I have been working on this for at least 9 years and just now have gained a bit of awareness.

 

[Ronin]

Depends what it is, how hard I worked on the sucker before, and what mindset I was in before it happened. As in operating out of different headspaces, things hit differently, or do not hit at all, because I processed them... for that particular mode.

 

[EveHarrington]

Every trigger is different.

 

[KimmyO]

It is good that you are realizing what triggers you and wanting to change your reactions! That is the beginning. I have found that taking magnesium (magnesium malate is best) and ginseng helped me a lot w emotions, they calm the mind body and spirit and get rid of sticky negative thoughts the loop around in the mind. Also, getting outside, laying on the grass to get grounded and breathe in fresh air, looking at stars, these things help a lot too. Our environment help or hurt our mental health and physical health. Speak aloud positive truths to counteract the negative thoughts and things said to us. Hope this helps you too! =)

 

[MrMoonlight]

(fire) When I get triggered hard I run, like I'm out. My chest feels like it's going to explode there is a huge jolt to my system like I've been shocked by an electrical outlet. There is no time to think, just straight panic and fear. I'm not here anymore, I'm back there. Sometimes I run room to room multiple times looking for fire/smoke, I will run around until I'm convinced. When I come back I crash hard emotionally, for days.

 

[Hayleigh]

The first thing I do is hold my breathe then I freeze, cry or rage. Then I am in a depressive state and emotionally exhausted for several days.