[lu2415]

I had a session last week where there was a specific noise that is a HUGE trigger for my PTSD. T was able to recognize that something was wrong and helped me do some grounding exercises, but it was physically and emotionally exhausting.

The noise was totally out of my or my T's control, but now I am terrified to go back there! I'm supposed to go back for another session this week, but I'm thinking about canceling - I'm extremely fearful that the noise will happen this week, and I don't want to be triggered like that again. I know avoiding it will only make the anxiety stronger, I'm just wondering if anyone else has had a similar situation, and how they were able to overcome it?

Many thanks.

[doogie]

Yes. My T practices out of her home and someone nearby shoots a gun in the distance for target practice. I don't like it at all and it is very triggering. As a man, I feel like it shouldn't bother me, but it does. My T uses it as an opportunity to keep me grounded in session. It's hard, though. I'm hoping that by hearing the shots in session every now and then and being calmed by T I will learn to handle the sounds of gunshots in my everyday life and not be so upset by it. But I do understand how disruptive and exhausting it is. Continue to talk to your T about about. Please don't be afraid to go back - your T can help.

[skeksi]

The sound of doors closing and footsteps are big triggers for me. And T's office is in a creaky old building that's been divided up into offices so in every session I hear doors and footsteps.

It used to really set me off and then we'd spend the rest of the session talking me down from the panic. It took a looooong time but now when I hear them, I still stop and listen--I'm still scared--but after a few moments I can go back to my session. I, glad that T and I worked through it, because it was helped me respond to similar triggers at work and at home.

Talk to your T. You can work through it.