[Butterflies Are Free]

Well, I am hoping my T will call me back. I feel very anxious and triggered and cannot seem to get grounded. My house alarm went off last night at 1:30 a.m. and the police needed to come. It turns out that the wind blew open my back door but it triggered me nonetheless. When I was a teenager, two men broke into my house while I was home alone and then six months later, a man broke into the house where I was babysitting three children. So I guess I still have not worked through this trigger - I do not want it to ruin the rest of my day or run my life. I am posting to see what suggestions everyone might have... I am not sure if my T will be able to call me back or not... Thanks so much.

I wish I could help, but I can't. I'm sorry for what you have been through. Have you tried meditating? Sitting down in a dark room with a candle, staring at it, helps me.

[Sila]

Try walking around and taking mental inventory of everything that's "okay" right now. Doors shut and locked, windows are shut. Go through the house with a flashlight and go through each room, just letting yourself acknowledge you're safe and the house is safe. If needbe, do a walk around outside as well. Bring your keys, lock your doors, and from the outside jiggle the door knobs etc and reassure yourself that it's secure. Once you've mentally 'secured' the whole house, the nagging fear in the back of your mind should hopefully diminish a bit and grounding techniques etc would be more effective. Just an idea.

[mixedup_emotions]

I have experienced this as well, and it's difficult to work through the anxiety. My T has encouraged me to take some self-defense courses so that I can regain some of my power that I lost through past traumas.

Reminding yourself that you are safe NOW is important - but your body needs to be willing to listen. (( HUGS ))

[Butterflies Are Free]

Thanks so much - I tried at least one thing from everyone's posts and they seemed to help. It's just another reminder that I still can get triggered but I do have resources to pull on. I appreciate the support!