topic Name your Trigger Points in Anxiety

Name your Trigger Points

geoff — Tue, 27 Apr 2021 20:14:23 GMT

Hi Everyone, interested to know what your trigger points are, and knowing the warning signs that may foreshadow a relapse, can help you to avoid it.

These may differ from day to day and in different situations but each one is important to know.

-moving house is never good for me, and that's just for starters.

All the best.

Geoff.

Name your Trigger Points

Ggrand — Wed, 28 Apr 2021 04:45:36 GMT

Hello Geoff..

This is a very important thread..thank you..

One of my trigger points is when I hear people yelling/ arguing or with raised voices at each other...using bad language heightens my trigger...

Unfortunately I have no warnings that I’m going down...I go down before I realise what’s happening to me...I avoid going out on my own as I’ve been brought down many times when I go out on my own...

My Ptsd was caused by physical, emotional and sexual abuse in my childhood and adult married life...

Triggers are around just about in everything and everywhere I go...most I can manage, some I cannot....

When there’s people around me, and all my mind is picking up the chatter of everyone around...I start to panic then I dissociate, hide inside myself, feeling trapped in a situation that is dangerous and I need to escape from....I get confused and feel like a frightened 3 year old and need to “run away”...to somewhere safe....my home...

One day dear Geoff...Hopefully we can put our PTSD to sleep and live a carefree and happy life...Without triggers putting us back in time to keep reliving our traumas...

I hope your having a good day...and enjoying the Autumn sunshine...if you have some sun...It’s a beautiful day here today..

My kindest thoughts dear Geoff..

Grandy..

Name your Trigger Points

geoff — Wed, 28 Apr 2021 17:17:50 GMT

Hello Ggrand, thank you for replying, I thought this topic might raise the attention of many people, but I may be wrong.

What you have said I totally concur with you and only wish we could protect you from this ever happening, it is most unpleasant.

Triggers may happen when we don't expect them to, or alternatively, they can slowly build up quite unexpectedly.

Always good talking with you.

Take care.

Geoff.

Name your Trigger Points

Quercus — Thu, 29 Apr 2021 09:20:12 GMT

Hi Geoff,

I'm surprised your thread hasn't been inundated with replies. It's an interesting and important topic.

I've two triggers that are pretty much guaranteed to send my mind off to a bad place.

One is people touching me when I don't know them well. I hated being pregnant and having random people just come up and touch. Yuck.

The other is being told what to do about my weight, what to eat etc. That always sends me downhill badly.

Thank you for creating this thread. I wonder what others find difficult.

Name your Trigger Points

white knight — Thu, 29 Apr 2021 09:39:43 GMT

Hi Geoff and two lovely ladies in ggrand and quercus.

A good thread Geoff.

I have triggers, bad moods, snappy reactions etc and after many years of self evaluation (bipolar) and observance from my wife we concluded 2 years ago that the extent of my triggering was directly related to how much sleep I get.

Currently on our caravan holiday triggers/moods are non existent as each afternoon I sleep for an hour or more.

Lack of sleep and too much stress is a bad recipe.

TonyWK

Name your Trigger Points

Boudica — Thu, 29 Apr 2021 09:56:05 GMT

Hi Geoff,

It is a very thoughtful topic Geoff, which likely is relevant to many. Maybe the reason not so many replies is that triggers are not that easy to talk about, and maybe people tend to avoid. Those that I still struggle with I don't really want to talk about, but I will mention one that I think I have mostly overcome now, but was an issue for me for a long time: it is when someone kind of looms over me blocking the light. eg. if I am seated lower and they are standing in front of me (if I am laying down and they are standing near me then x100)

Name your Trigger Points

Boudica — Thu, 29 Apr 2021 10:07:40 GMT

Geoff,

Re: moving house

I actually like moving house, I find it exciting! I like the sense of change and escape (I do like my home though). I also love to clean things out and organise and start fresh. I know lots of people really hate moving though.

Name your Trigger Points

Harpbird — Thu, 29 Apr 2021 11:51:08 GMT

Didn’t know wether to post here but here goes. I have a few triggers. As a 15 year old I was staying with my sister and her husband in the school holidays. This was the first time I witnessed her getting bashed by him. I was sworn to secrecy and even given a horse to keep my quiet. I was stuck there for two weeks and lived three hours away from her home. I hate conflict and arguments. My biggest red flag is like today , picking up my 6 month old grandchild and putting her in the car seat. I have to keep stopping the car and making sure she is still breathing . Then am crying all the way home reliving the loss off my grandson. Also now my daughter has gone back to work so I also have bubs all Thursday over night and till late tomorrow. I stay up in front of the telly in recliner so I can keep checking on her. I am petrified she will stop breathing in my care. It’s killing me .

Name your Trigger Points

Giraffe — Thu, 29 Apr 2021 12:55:06 GMT

My trigger points are ..

feeling like I’m getting abandoned

witnessing violence

being around people I think are narcissistic

and being alone for too long

Name your Trigger Points

blondguy — Thu, 29 Apr 2021 13:14:19 GMT

Hi Geoff

Thanks for the helpful thread!

I understand many people on and off the forums use the 'trigger' word...and good on them. Just as per my own experience after having chronic anxiety I find the 'trigger' word has a sense of 'permanence' to it... I think this is the 1st time I have used it in a post....yet its only personal preference

Moving house may be overwhelming for me...Good point there Geoff

my kind thoughts

Paul

Name your Trigger Points

Ggrand — Fri, 30 Apr 2021 03:22:11 GMT

Hi Geoff and everyone.....🤗..

Thank you Geoff...There is no excuse for fighting or swearing in public...I feel they should keep it all at home...Being respectful to everyone including spouses and children when out in public..should not be hard for anyone..

Tony...my Dr. counsellor and Psychiatrist always stresses how important sleep is for both our mental and physical health...In hospital the first question the nurses and peer workers ask is...how did you sleep?....

Lack of sleep makes us more vulnerable and emotional which causes our triggers to down us a lot quicker and deeper..

My kind thoughts lovely people..

Grandy..

Name your Trigger Points

geoff — Fri, 30 Apr 2021 16:48:50 GMT

Hello Ggrand, and everyone else who has replied, but I agree a lack of sleep can open the door for many problems that could range from family, work and/or social issues as well as lack of confidence and self esteem.

The problem is if we are beginning to feel sad which starts into becoming depressed then these trigger points are much more susceptible than they usually would be, we aren't able to fight them off or avoid the strength they have to overtake us.

Hi Harpbird, just curious if you have looked at 'intrusive thoughts' which people may have, especially if they're suffering from OCD, that's what happens to me.

Best wishes.

Geoff.

Name your Trigger Points

Harpbird — Fri, 30 Apr 2021 23:01:14 GMT

Hey Geoff,

intrusive thoughts. ?
Not sure what it means 🤦🏻‍♀️ But if you mean by friends family arguing and not getting on makes me go into myself or worrying about my grandchildren dying on me then that all consuming me as I really do wish I wasn’t here anymore then that would be my intrusive thoughts.

Name your Trigger Points

Boudica — Fri, 30 Apr 2021 23:14:04 GMT

Hey Harpbird,

It sounds like you are an amazing Grandma, and doing so much to help your daughter. Your daughter and grandkids are very lucky to have you. I'm sorry for the loss of your Grandson. It is saddest when those who have not yet had a chance at life are lost. Your triggers must really be making day to day functioning really hard, I hope you find something that can help you.

Name your Trigger Points

geoff — Sat, 01 May 2021 20:06:58 GMT

Hello Harpbird, 'intrusive thoughts' seem to become stuck in our mind and can cause distress since the thought might be upsetting and can reoccur frequently, making the situation worse.

Other people can also have these thoughts but if they have no desire or reason why they should act on them and it doesn't persist then that's normally, but if they keep on annoying you then anxiety and/or OCD may be the reason why.

If the thought of worrying about your grandchildren keeps on persisting and you can't find a solution then talking with a psychologist would help you understand what they mean, but the more you try and dismiss these thoughts the more they will annoy you.

I hope that helps you but would certainly love to hear back from you.

Geoff.

Name your Trigger Points

geoff — Tue, 04 May 2021 00:22:18 GMT

I am sure there are many triggers that people with an addiction have

-facing an awkward day

-disagreement with your partner and/or spouse

-a situation you were trying to avoid or one you were forced to do by a partner and/or family members for a family gathering

-being called an alcoholic can be a reason why you start once again, who cares.

The list goes on.

Geoff.

Name your Trigger Points

Harpbird — Thu, 06 May 2021 13:09:22 GMT

Thanks Geoff, I sit up again all night watching my grandchild. I have been meaning to ring my psychologist for an appointment, my osteopath told me to ring her again. ( he has been through this with our family, he treats most of us and knows that I am still blaming myself) I WILL ring for an appointment tomorrow. XX

Name your Trigger Points

geoff — Thu, 06 May 2021 16:18:50 GMT

Hello Harpbird, we can blame ourselves for what's happened or the problem it's caused or we feel responsible for what a person actually does and tend to make us believe that it's our fault they have done this and then take the unnecessary blame, this may be incorrect.

Let us know if you have made an appointment.

Best wishes.

Geoff.

Name your Trigger Points

Harpbird — Thu, 06 May 2021 21:27:15 GMT

You see Geoff, it is my fault. I was nursing our bub for 4 hours trying to settle him, I should have woke his mum and decided to take him to hospital then , not letting him almost die in my arms . I can never forgive myself for that. Yes he did have a heart defect but if only I was more conscious and read the signs .

Name your Trigger Points

Boudica — Wed, 12 May 2021 00:58:35 GMT

Hello Harpbird,

How devastating for you to lose a beloved grandchild in those circumstances. With children we are always making judgement calls. No doubt you were trying your best to let your daughter have rest by settling an unsettled child. You acted on what you knew at the time, and likely did the same as most people would do with the information you had. We can't know the future, and hindsight can be so painful after tragedy. I hope you are receiving support to help you through this.