The fact that one realizes, even after the fact, that they have been triggered is progress in itself! It took me years to realize this, that I was being triggered and dissociative over things that related to my injury.

A few times of late I have been able to realize that I am being triggered WHILE it's happening, and if it's anger I'm feeling (like over the incompetence of cashiers etc) I have been able to verbalize it to them: I'm not angry at you, I'm having a tough day.

Yes, my entire family left me. All my friends disappeared because they can not STILL understand PTSD. My two sons and spouse left, each separately, saying "I can't live with YOUR disability." My friends left because they didn't understand, and also could not live with my pain and the treatment I was receiving. Oh well. One has returned, and I wonder if at times it because of her own guilt of leaving, and not a real understanding. I take her friendship just as well!

My psychologist continues to explain to me that he explains PTSD to his patients' families all the time: these are ppl who LIVE with those who have PTSD, the families that SEE and maybe FEEL the effects on the patient, and STILL do not understand... what hope do I have of those who haven't a clue to begin with of understanding?
SInce I have very few constant contacts with anyone in particular, I have learned to not bother with explanations for the most part. It happens. Whatever it is, it happens, and I am not to "blame" for it, therefore I don't owe any apologies. If someone whose path crosses mine chooses to share how I might have negatively affected them, I am more than happy to to share my sadness of the hurt with them. I can try and explain the automaticity of it all. I can't expect them to understand such a beast as PTSD. (For really, it is part of their problem if they have given me such power to hurt them. It is part of their need for improvement if they allow one of my negative experiences to influence how happy they are... understand?)