topic Re: When you can’t avoid your triggers in PTSD and trauma

When you can’t avoid your triggers

WishyBee — Sun, 22 Jun 2025 03:55:51 GMT

I know that in 24 hours I will have to be at the scene that triggered a trauma response. I’m anticipating that I will be triggered again and that it will add to the current trauma response I am experiencing.
Has anyone been in a similar situation or had to regularly do something that triggers them?
I am concerned that even the most minor thing will send my spiralling.
Has this been anyone’s experience?

Re: When you can’t avoid your triggers

white knight — Sun, 22 Jun 2025 10:32:53 GMT

Hi, welcome

I'm of the view Triggers are common gor so many people they can almost be considered "normal". If someone has a highly strung upbringing or develops anxiety or has had trauma... its almost a given Triggers will present themselves as a surprise symptom.

One trick is to anticipate a trigger by saying to yourself "OK Tony, you're going to drive past your old family home but my ex is no longer living there so... its only a brick house"

Another activity is turning on music.

But the best step forward is acceptance because life is full of irregularities, distortions and mental scars for us that end up on a forum. So, I take some deep breaths, say to myself "let's face this" , be bold and once I've passed that house I begin working on any distractions that work. Usually stopping for a bag of mixed lollies works as I'm concentrating on searching for the best lollies, seriously such distractions work.

So here is a couple if links that cover these topics.

I hope you do OK.

https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/staying-well/triggers-that-down-you-triggers-that-lift-you/td-p/103266

https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/staying-well/depression-distraction-and-variety/td-p/275790

Reply anytime

TonyWK

Re: When you can’t avoid your triggers

WishyBee — Mon, 23 Jun 2025 03:09:15 GMT

Thanks for your reply white knight.

I have avoided the triggering place for now, however I will have to go there in the near future. You have given me an idea to have the distraction at hand rather than anticipating the trauma response, lollies will work I hope.

Thanks for your insight, it’s much appreciated.

WishyBee

Re: When you can’t avoid your triggers

Dig — Thu, 13 Nov 2025 04:41:09 GMT

Yes, I have had a few triggers that activated shock & stress

It is tuff trying to control the emotional when it happens,

Re: When you can’t avoid your triggers

quirkywords — Thu, 13 Nov 2025 09:18:04 GMT

Wishybee I don’t watch news or anything that may trigger me. Avoidance works for me. I like Tony’s advice and suggestions. I can avoid my trigger maybe that is not a good idea but it works, .

Re: When you can’t avoid your triggers

Halecia — Thu, 13 Nov 2025 11:02:17 GMT

Hey Yes. Going to hospitals triggers me. All because of the confusion of my diagnosis. I’ve been wrongfully treated. I find and this may sound silly to some. But AirPods or ear phones with no sound helps. It just helps calm me down listening to my own thoughts. And Breathe