I have started to dissociate when things got too intense, but usually I say something like, "no, I can't go there right now" if I feel like I won't be able to handle it. Or sometimes I just stop talking.

I have had to leave group though. It wasn't a trauma group or anything and something someone said was really triggering and I felt like I just couldn't stay. The T went to open up a room that I could stay in until he could talk to me. While he was gone, one of the group members looked at me and said, "I really wish you would try to stay." It really meant a lot to me because I always expect everyone's first reaction, when I leave, to be relief that they don't have to deal with me acting strange and making everyone uncomfortable.

Unfotunately, after trying for a couple of years, I still couldn't handle getting unexpectedly triggered and decided I was just getting retruamatized and I had to leave the group. I still miss them.

I get the same sort of supportive feeling from these forums but I feel safe here.