[jai-jai]

My Therapist has asked me track what triggers me, but I'm having a hard time managing it. I feel like I'm stuck in a depression cycle right now, which makes everything really hard.

I'm currently just noting it down with date and time, but sometimes I don't always have pen and paper. I also struggle with knowing at the time if its going to trigger me later in the day.

Is this normal? This is all new to me and I feel like I'm drowning.

My husband got irritated at the dog, like he's done many times before, but it triggered my PTSD response and put me on high alert. This was super unsettling and I really don't know how to handle it.

[*Beth*]

Well, I don't mean to sound harsh, but if you're serious about tracking your triggers be sure you keep a pen with you all the time, and paper - even a small notebook.

[Open Eyes]

It takes time to figure out the things that can trigger you. It requires a lot of patience as it's a slow process. Most get confused and even frustrated. Try to do some reading about ptsd. Yes, depression is a symptom too.

[ShaneG]

Maybe being asked what triggers you by a pdoc is triggering!

[RollercoasterLover]

I'm doing this same process and its not easy. The other day I was folding laundry and looked up and I was hit with a hallucination of my ex husband. I've folded laundry 1000s of times without incident. I read somewhere (sorry I can't remember exactly) that keeping a journal doesn't mean just a pen and paper. I started keeping a trigger journal by texting myself regularly throughout the day. After I recovered from the laundry incident, I looked through my texts to myself and found 2 possible triggers from hours earlier. It works for me better than a pen and paper. The only time I can't find 30 seconds to send myself a quick text is when I'm driving. But I couldn't use a pen and paper then either.
I hope you find something that works for you to track triggers. **hugs**

[guy1111]

You are doing great so far! Connecting the trigger to your husband and the dog is good. Trust your gut. If your gut tells you something is wrong, jot it down, or make mental note of it. It doesn't matter how illogical the connection seems rationally, it's the feeling. Your brain will slowly begin to connect the dots on it's own. Don't give up! You are strong for tackling your emotional wounds!

Sent from my SM-G900P using Tapatalk

[jai-jai]

Originally Posted by RollercoasterLover

I'm doing this same process and its not easy. The other day I was folding laundry and looked up and I was hit with a hallucination of my ex husband. I've folded laundry 1000s of times without incident. I read somewhere (sorry I can't remember exactly) that keeping a journal doesn't mean just a pen and paper. I started keeping a trigger journal by texting myself regularly throughout the day. After I recovered from the laundry incident, I looked through my texts to myself and found 2 possible triggers from hours earlier. It works for me better than a pen and paper. The only time I can't find 30 seconds to send myself a quick text is when I'm driving. But I couldn't use a pen and paper then either.
I hope you find something that works for you to track triggers. **hugs**

Thank you! I appreciate this. Its so hard! Im trying, some days are better than others. I just want it all to stop sometimes.

I didn't even think about using my phone. I use that as a distraction device mostly, which isn't always good.

HUGS!

[jai-jai]

Originally Posted by BethRags

Well, I don't mean to sound harsh, but if you're serious about tracking your triggers be sure you keep a pen with you all the time, and paper - even a small notebook.

I've started using a journal app. I found that I usually always have my phone on me, so it made it easier. I just typically use pen and paper for everything else. So its been an adjustment.
Thank you.

[Ceara1010]

My T also suggested I start keeping a trigger log and I have trouble remembering to jot things down sometimes. I'd say I remember half the time to write them down.

[Alive99]

Originally Posted by jai-jai

My Therapist has asked me track what triggers me, but I'm having a hard time managing it. I feel like I'm stuck in a depression cycle right now, which makes everything really hard.

I'm currently just noting it down with date and time, but sometimes I don't always have pen and paper. I also struggle with knowing at the time if its going to trigger me later in the day.

Is this normal? This is all new to me and I feel like I'm drowning.

My husband got irritated at the dog, like he's done many times before, but it triggered my PTSD response and put me on high alert. This was super unsettling and I really don't know how to handle it.

Hey. Hm that's so interesting about your therapist's request. I don't know if my triggers can be categorised and tracked like that. They are too random and varied. Really anything about intimate / personal interactions can be a trigger. (But I have cPTSD tho)

Yes, the feeling of drowning bc there's so much of it, that's familiar. It will get better as you figure things out over time, I think.

I think I have one general tip for you. Anything from the situation or bunch of situations that caused you the trauma, will be capable of acting like a trigger (or also just an emotional flashback if you have cPTSD) later. And I think unravelling all the traumatic situations and reworking them is the real solution to it eventually. That is my understanding. Maybe it'll help with the categorising to track triggers more easily.

(That is the one way I've tried to do it but since for me it involves years of stuff, it's still too complex to categorise and track it all)

[jai-jai]

Originally Posted by Alive99

Hey. Hm that's so interesting about your therapist's request. I don't know if my triggers can be categorised and tracked like that. They are too random and varied. Really anything about intimate / personal interactions can be a trigger. (But I have cPTSD tho)

Yes, the feeling of drowning bc there's so much of it, that's familiar. It will get better as you figure things out over time, I think.

I think I have one general tip for you. Anything from the situation or bunch of situations that caused you the trauma, will be capable of acting like a trigger (or also just an emotional flashback if you have cPTSD) later. And I think unravelling all the traumatic situations and reworking them is the real solution to it eventually. That is my understanding. Maybe it'll help with the categorising to track triggers more easily.

(That is the one way I've tried to do it but since for me it involves years of stuff, it's still too complex to categorise and track it all)

Thanks Alive, this is curious, I will give it a try.

[jai-jai]

Originally Posted by guy1111

You are doing great so far! Connecting the trigger to your husband and the dog is good. Trust your gut. If your gut tells you something is wrong, jot it down, or make mental note of it. It doesn't matter how illogical the connection seems rationally, it's the feeling. Your brain will slowly begin to connect the dots on it's own. Don't give up! You are strong for tackling your emotional wounds!

Sent from my SM-G900P using Tapatalk

Thanks Guy! I feel like I'm climbing a mountain, and I'm not getting anywhere. Trusting my gut is my usual tactic, but because this has felt wildly out of my control, its been hard to even trust myself. Thank you.

[jai-jai]

Originally Posted by Ceara1010

My T also suggested I start keeping a trigger log and I have trouble remembering to jot things down sometimes. I'd say I remember half the time to write them down.

Thank you this is a helpful thought!
I appreciate it.