[SongBirdandDaisy]

I have a question but wasn't sure if I should put it here or in DID. But, I think it belongs here.

When there is a trigger, I have trouble focusing. I start counting things, singing songs in my head, I can't remember if something really happened or not - like making a phone call to a sibling or paying a bill. Does that happen to anyone else?

How do you counteract that? I know about grounding techniques but the triggers get to be too strong and the emotions tht flood in.

[(JD)]

Sounds like it could go either place, song. That's what triggers do imo, they take us away and into a different time period (where the trigger is.)

Grounding is very important, if you can do it. Triggers result in dissociation... but what you are describing sounds like another part of you is coming forward and "doing" for you at those times?

That you realize you are being triggered is the first step in countering their effects. You can learn to know when you are likely to be triggered. Try writing down when it happens, and what you recall doing last, what music was playing or where you were or even, if you can, what you were talking or thinking about. Odds are, something in there triggered you.

SongBird and Daisy,
When I'm triggered I have a hard time staying in the present. I can completely block out what is going on in the present and won't remember --not even if someone else talks about it later. (then I feel so defective for not remembering what others tell me)

Lately-- the way I've been Trying (with a capital "T"- ) --to counteract it-- is telling myself that what I'm feeling is from long ago and is not happening right now--- it may "feel" similar but it is NOT the same thing.

I have reflex feelings that come so fast .....I really don't see how I can not have them..... but I am working on calming myself down in shorter and shorter time spans. -- (not too good at explaining)--- Hope I made some kind of sense.........

Hope you keep posting!

I'm wishing you well and inner peace.

mandy

Depends on the reason why I am having trouble focusing. I have alot of triggers and different things helps keep me grounded.

For example sometimes seeing a word on line will trigger a memory and the feelings that go with that memory. I could sit here and use all the grounding techniques in the word but that won't fix my reaction to the trigger - the word that I read. But what does fix that trigger and my reaction is changing my activity. I leave that thread and read something less triggering or I leave that thread and log into one of my on line games that I use for developing my focusing skills then I come back to this window where the main page is still up and I click on and read threads that I know won't trigger me.

Other ways I handle some of my triggers is that instead of running away from the trigger I pull out my note book and write about it. I have desensitized myself of alot of triggers just by writing about that trigger over and over again until it no longer bothers me.

Sometimes like when I was in the depression management group I would feel myself start to get that far away feeling. I would change my position so that I could rub one of my fingers on the different textured designs on my sneakers.

Other times when I start feeling that far away like feeling I look for the person that is talking and I pay attention to what they look like, what they are saying, the tone of voice they are using.

In classes and meetings I keep detailed notes to that I have something to do instead of just sitting there listening.

When I am out walking or biking I try to locate one thing that is different along the way from the last time I traveled that path, street. One time I was biking on my way to a depression management class down a street I always take to get there. I started feeling disconnected and far away so I stopped my bike and sat there looking for something that was different than the day before when I traveled that road to the library. Across the road from me was a kiddie swimming pool. no human children but there was a kitten about 5-6 months old playing by crouching down and jumping up over the side and into the water, splashing around at its reflection and then jumping out of the pool just to do it all over again. That in itself kept me focused and watching what was going on around me the rest of the way to class.

Other things I do -

the Nancy J Napeir weekly practices in Conscious living. These activitys help so much.

The courage to heal text and workbook activities and so on. Those books have alot of great ideas for making an emergency list of what to do to help yourself when experiencing a trigger.

keep paying attention to what makes you feel good when you do things and then use those things when you get triggered and you will find that it gets easier to remain aware.

[SongBirdandDaisy]

These are all good ideas. I hope I can manage to put them into practice. The touble is, when it gets like this, I have trouble helping myself, it's like a perpetual pit.

Thank you all for responding. Please keep them coming.
Songbird

[(JD)]

Yes, song, and it was for me too, at first. My T had to make me aware of when I would change the subject or "zone out".... I still haven't been able to discuss the accident fully with him! (And it's too depressing to tell you how many years I've been doing this!) TC

[SongBirdandDaisy]

I guess I should talk to T about that stuff. He does "bring me back" when I zone out in session. Thanks for the help. Time for bed. I long for the hours of nothingness to come but the dreams have been too active lately. Sometimes . . . . . . I just don't know..