I remember when I first got into trauma stuff that it seemed IMPOSSIBLE to slow it down.

I can tell you some things that have worked for me...

I guess the main thing that helps ME is a promise that I will get to it later. I think I have these younger parts that are screaming to be heard, and that need reassurance that they WILL be heard, just not now. Can you tell the parts of you that are pushing at you that you hear them, and that what they have to say is important, and that they will have all the time they need to express themselves...but that right now you need to be grown up and you need time to work on feeling a little better?

Another thing that helps is to literally say "STOP" to the thoughts when they come. And to say to myself "I am here and I am safe now". And to really ground myself in the present. I like to use aromatherapy or simmer water with oranges and cloves...smells seem to help me get present.

Another thing that helps me is simply not talking about it in therapy. I go, and we talk about other things, things in the present. The more I do that, the more grounded I get in NOW, and the more the trauma stuff fades into the background...at least temporarily.

And finally - it really helps me to have things to keep busy with that are kind of mindless and fun. I played so much guitar hero when I started therapy that I could beat ALL of my son's tween/teen friends - for REAL Cooking is good. I played a lot of board games with my kids. Read non-triggery books (have you read Ann Lamott? I her).

It's hard, but it's worth it to try to reground yourself in the present.

Do you meditate? That helped me too.

BIG hugs to you...