[HD7970GHZ]

Hi all,

I hope everyone is doing okay.

I could use some suggestions about how to tolerate triggers and read through some self-help books about trauma.

Several professionals have suggested reading some said books about trauma in hopes that I can start the ball rolling in my recovery. I am really struggling to get through more than a few pages at a time. It triggers me, I get angry... I sometimes get really motivated to power through it because the subject matter is incredibly relevant and insightful. I find that as soon as I am emotional I cannot continue because my mind drifts off to intrusive memories... It is painful. Sometimes it leaves me in a state of anger all day.

Has anyone got suggestions for how to read when subject matter is so triggering? Is it still too early to do so? Any insight or methods which perhaps helped you or someone you know would be much appreciated.

Thanks,
HD7970ghz

[Open Eyes]

It sounds like you are too sensitive to read the books you are reading, do you see a therapist?

When I was struggling and began working on a workbook a therapist gave me I got severely triggered and started having too many flashbacks that confused me. I stopped looking at it and did not pick up anything written for a while and I did better working with a trauma therapist.

[Lolina]

Open eyes is right, if it triggers you that much maybe you should stop or take a step back. When I was suffering from anxiety just reading about the word stress would trigger me, but I soothed myself and continue, researching about anxiety has helped me tremendously, I did find a lot of tools and I am really well these days. Nobody could imagine that I went through that.
Find whats working for you and don't force yourself. Some methods will be good, some others less. You have to try.
Hugs

[HD7970GHZ]

Thank you Open Eyes and Lolina. I appreciate the responses and I am sorry you both experienced similar things. It is truly horrible.

I will try to force myself to read. I feel really restless too so I go to sit down and then end up wanting to move around. I cannot relax and actually read...

Thanks,
HD7970ghz

[cucamelon]

Hi! I don't have any great advice, but I can relate and I hope you can get back to reading at some point. I just read an amazing book, The Body Keeps The Score by Bessel Van Der Kolk. Every morning ,( I was reading before bed)I started waking up with flash backs and nightmares. I really had to acknowledge each memory and write it down to sort of process. Then I stopped reading it for about a month, it had affected me so much. It was just like what you said in your post. The reading became so intense because I could relate to all of these traumas. Maybe journaling while you read and sharing your thoughts,expierences etc with someone else you trust.