Triggers when not expected...why they are called triggers.

[jackiesj]

I an seldom get out anymore. after 3 weeks my only dear friend picked me up and took me for a drive...Sitting with her friend at a dinning table...her friend a real sweetheart started talking some medical issues and as i sat there events seemed to trigger my surgeries and extremes.Triggers are out of nowhere..one cannot prepare for them. How to live ones life of worth. Someone told me that Jesus accepts what you are here and now. that does help. As a saying goes..tie a knot in the end of your rope and start climbing back up.....very slow climb...

[Nathalie99 Partner]

I am very sorry, jackiesj.

I know...it's unavoidable after trauma.

I used to have ways of better dealing with triggers but I lost those methods.

My other medical condition and treatment impacts ptsd and I think it is tough to manage health issues at the same time as ptsd.

I hope you find safe places and safe people. Maybe it was wrong time of day, maybe the place or could be the surroundings.

Sometimes we don't know what triggered us.

I like what you said abtying a knot at the end of a rope...

I am feeling like that right now. Thank you for sharing hope...it is very precious...

[hypercat54]

Yes I understand that Jackiesj. The same has happened to me a few times and even cost me friends in the past.

You are not alone.

[Dolphin14 Moderator]

jackiesj

I understand what you are saying. Unexpected triggers can pull the rug right out from under us. I'm very sorry this happened to you.

A " normal" conversation for someone else can send us escalating. This makes it very hard to engage, the fear of being set off and reacting produces so much anxiety.

I love the statement about the rope! I've never heard it before. We need to keep reading that. We can save ourselves. As you said, it's a very slow climb.

Thank you for your post

🐬

[Mamamichl]

The reason I believe that they are called triggers, makes me think of a gun. A small thing (moving your finger a mm or two) can create a big bang of the bullet going off and making a big impact.

Take some time to explore why that situation triggered you. Was it the topic, was it the words that were said, or was it something in the environment? I have learned in the past 20 years that it helps to explore this since then I could be open with my friends on what my triggers are and they can help steer situations. I can also make a plan on how I want to react when triggered or avoid the trigger whenever possible. Write a list of ideas around your triggers and when you’ve learned a bit about them, talk to close friends about it. You dont have to tell about the past situation, but just saying that you need help with a trigger, they could probably do that.

[012703060610]

You literally never know on any given day. Even if we can identify our triggers and avoid if needed, that's not the real world. I am with my family as my Mom is close to the end after 25 plus years of parkinsons. Seeing certain family members and having to engage when I'm not mentally well or physically well. Then someone says....are you worried darling that you'll get the Parkinson's too? I just stood and stared. I had a flashback episode that lasted several hours. I have no recollection other than snapping back covered sweat. My poor husband thought I was mad and ignoring him. I guess I was just sitting and sobbing for hours.

[SavingGrace Administrator]

"Someone told me that Jesus accepts what you are here and now."

Thank you - that resonates just now - having also just gone through a weekend of 'triggers' and feeling, well..... as if I just didn't fit any life mould any more

since I was a long-time PTSD sufferer... It made me feel really low about how to ever feel 'back/good' again.

But your words are right: small and little.....

start climbing and gently make your way, right back up if you can.

We have all come so, so far in life.... let us not give up now on ..... our-selves......