I originally posted this in the Other Mental Health forum because I felt this information is not just for those who may struggle with PTSD, but also depression and anxiety.

One of the things I have noticed a lot lately is how the WORDS others choose to say to me do trigger me. When I experience a flashback be it emotional or visual and I find a need to talk about it, I have found the one thing that can trigger me even more is "that happened years ago you should not be thinking about that now".

What I have noticed is how "now" an individuals behaviors towards me and what they say can trigger me to remembering a past situation where this same individual hurt me and when I said something the person was dismissive with me and invalidated me in some way.

I have just noticed different members wanting to write a letter to individuals that neglected or abused them in some way. Often it's a family member or a parent even who would turn things around to blame them instead of listening and just continues to respond in the same dysfunctional manner. I am sorry these individuals continue to "want' to stand up to this toxic behavior and yet they tend to get the same dysfunctional responses.