[innocentjoy]

My case worker is trying to help me learn to stick up for myself when someone is triggering me. Not by purposely triggering me, but when she notices I'm dissociating or upset, she's been trying to help me to stop it/let her know before it gets to be too much. Unfortunately this is extremely difficult for me.

She was trying to desensitize me to the name of my uncle, and I was triggered. I switched to my 7/8 year old self, and when she saw that I was upset she coached me by reminding me what to say: Please stop saying his name. I did what she asked because the little one always does what she is told, even though it was a huge trigger. I think when I was young I would get "in trouble" (whatever that means, I still don't know) and so I was sure "he" (an abuser) was going to be mad. Anyways, after a little bit, my 9 year old protector came out and spoke to my case worker.

Eventually she helped bring me back, and I ended up leaving feeling okay about things. However, later that night it all came back, leaving me feeling like just giving up on everything. I spoke to her today about it, and she said that we will find another way for me to tell her to stop, without actually using that word. It is only when I'm triggered that I can't seem to say it.

I've been trying to think of other words, like 'no', or 'don't' but I don't know if I would be able to say them.

Which brings me to my question: What are some ways you can tell your t when they are getting too close to issues? Like, other ways of saying that you are upset by the topic? She's never triggered me like this before, and she really didn't realize how hard that would be for me (I didn't even really know).

[innocentjoy]

Also that was the first time I've switched between multiple alters/ages in front of her, so that in itself was hard, as I never know if I will be completely accepted or not. Luckily she was amazing about it.

[Claritytoo]

Do you think you can raise your hand like in class. Like not have to say anything but just raise your hand when you are in trouble. Than your t will know that things might be hurting instead of helping.

[amandalouise]

Originally Posted by innocentjoy

My case worker is trying to help me learn to stick up for myself when someone is triggering me. Not by purposely triggering me, but when she notices I'm dissociating or upset, she's been trying to help me to stop it/let her know before it gets to be too much. Unfortunately this is extremely difficult for me.

She was trying to desensitize me to the name of my uncle, and I was triggered. I switched to my 7/8 year old self, and when she saw that I was upset she coached me by reminding me what to say: Please stop saying his name. I did what she asked because the little one always does what she is told, even though it was a huge trigger. I think when I was young I would get "in trouble" (whatever that means, I still don't know) and so I was sure "he" (an abuser) was going to be mad. Anyways, after a little bit, my 9 year old protector came out and spoke to my case worker.

Eventually she helped bring me back, and I ended up leaving feeling okay about things. However, later that night it all came back, leaving me feeling like just giving up on everything. I spoke to her today about it, and she said that we will find another way for me to tell her to stop, without actually using that word. It is only when I'm triggered that I can't seem to say it.

I've been trying to think of other words, like 'no', or 'don't' but I don't know if I would be able to say them.

Which brings me to my question: What are some ways you can tell your t when they are getting too close to issues? Like, other ways of saying that you are upset by the topic? She's never triggered me like this before, and she really didn't realize how hard that would be for me (I didn't even really know).

When I could not tell my therapist words like no, dont, stop, because for me those words had lost all meaning. my therapist and I came up with other words to use that would mean for her to stop, I was having a hard time. we used just normal every day words that I could say. .......flowers.......pickles.....smile.....red, green, yellow, gray,....

it doesnt matter what word you use as long as its a word that both you and your treatment provider agree that for therapy purposes that word will mean stop, dont, Im having a problem here....