Wow! Thanks to everyone who responded! it feels good to know that people care.
I will try some of your ideas.
My problem is that I get argumentative and my thoughts start racing when I am triggered. Like I will say to myself "See, I told you that no one or he or she does not care about you!" condemning myself for having let down my guard. I am very hard on myself and I have convinced myself that allowing others "in" is folly and I must stay detached and alone. So if I let someone in and they disappoint me in the slightest then I become angry with myself.
I cannot seem to stop this from happening as it happens very quickly. I could however go somewhere and listen to music or tell myself that I am only human and needing to have people in my life is ok. Touching an object is a good idea and I will identify one to keep close by.
Animals are a trigger for me unfortunately and the feel of fur is frightening, even stuffed animals sometimes but thanks, I know it helps some.
Open Eyes wrote:
Quote:
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"You need to realize that these "triggers" are reminding you of an experience and what you "felt" at the time. These triggers are not meant to say, "you need to feel this way now" too. That is what "confuses" people who struggle with PTSD. They begin to think about triggers as "how they have to keep feeling and responding to certain situations". No, that is not the case, instead, what you need to do is "talk them out with a good T who can "validate that "yes" something wrong happened and comfort you and help you to finally get the "attention and help you needed before but did not get". You can also come here and talk out your triggers too, that way you will have access to others who can "validate you, how the trigger feels, and also comfort you and help you get to a point where you can finally do "now" what you were not able to do "then". You need to help that "part of you, or child in you" to finally be able to "express whatever is needed and this time see that you "get what you need from others and even yourself"."
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Yes, I have been telling myself that I need to feel this way in order to feel safe! That if I am not always on guard I will be taken advantage of.
Being on guard is helpful if in imminent danger but I am not ALWAYS in danger. Thanks.
Red Panda you are correct that thoughts cannot hurt me.
So, although I still do not have all of the answers...I have some ideas.
Thanks again