So... how do you deal with strong negative emotions where you just feel crappy even though you're trying not to think of the painful event?

I can't avoid the brother who traumatised me and he's also one of those guys who likes to rant about "everyone is so effing politically correct these days."

I walk away when he comes up to me with his rants but my brain plays what he did to me for hours upon hours afterwards even when I've removed myself from his presence.