Ok, Fairy take deep breaths. I certainly cant blame you for being triggered by that man. But you have to realize something about the group you are in, other people in that group are troubled too and they are learning new coping methods as well. You are trying to overcome being a victim and that takes time and your slowly going to learn methods in self soothing and also how you interact with others that will give you ways of establishing boundaries. Victims of abuse never really learn that and as a result many victims struggle in relationships and feeling confident in themselves as they interact with others.

Right now you cant help but react to certain situations. And you can get triggered, but now is when you want to learn what triggers you and let it out so you can address it and learn ways to overcome it.

Listen, when you go to these therapy sessions you have to truely think about these sessions as a workshop where you are protected and if something triggers you it should be addressed and overcome in the workshop. I think it would be a good idea to plan on discussing in the workshop that you were triggered by this man and you reacted and then see if the group can help you slowly find comfort with the other members and allow yourself to work out your fears.

No one can take away or change your past, but you can find ways to put it in its place and find self calming soothing ways to help yourself recover from your past. No one has helped you do that yet, now you are going to learn and it is going to take time.
That is exactly what this group is for, slowly getting more and more confident and comfortable around other people and developing new ways to do this better.

It is good that you also joined PC because this is a supportive site and as you are dealing with group and therapy you can come here just as you did here and be able to talk it out. Writing your feelings out is good because it helps you get these thoughts out rather than hold them in to continue to worry you.

You are welcome to come here anytime for this, there are many others here that are so very supportive. And though we may have different experiences we all know how it feels and we all have our triggers as well. Your not alone, getting therapy and being in a support group will make a difference in time. (((((Hugs))))))

Open Eyes