PTSD triggers and stigma

[PamelaR]

Hi all

There have been a couple of posts recently about negativity towards people who are triggered by events and go into a PTSD response which results in anxiety.

I think there is a view out there by people who do not understand what Post Traumatic Stress that 'an industry is being promoted' by psychologists and others.

How awful is that! The same can be said about a range of illness that have been diagnosed over the past 50 years or more. The scientific evidence and research that has happened in the past 50 years is so advanced that IMO people are afraid.

IMO, it's much easier for people to live 'in ignorance' than to really look at what's happening in their environment. I truly believe PTSD falls in this category.

It is so easy to say, it's 'all in your head'. Well, yeah, that maybe but that does not devalue what is happening for people. Nor does it mean that it's 'stupid', 'not real', 'not happening' etc. Yes, things do happen in your head, they can be good or not so good. That's why we have mental health plans.

What I really want to debunk here is - that PTSD and it's triggers are STUPID. PTSD and triggers are real and have lasting effects both for the person who is experiencing them as do people who provide support to those people.

You will find some talk about complex PTSD along with 'normal' PTSD. I'm not making any distinctions between the two, though from what I've read in the forums there is a difference. This thread is for people who get triggered and go into anxiety. Doesn't matter what the trigger is.

Your triggers are real. They occur at times when you least expect them. No one else can say to you that you are stupid. Responses to triggers do happen. Triggers can:

• set off body responses, e.g. heart palpitations, sweating.
• be through sight, smell, sound, touch, feelings
• bring back memories of trauma
• cause intense physical and emotional reactions
• cause muscle tension.

Would love to hear what others think. Please have your say. My words are only from my experience. What is your experience?

Kind regards

PamelaR

[Guest_922]

Thanks Pam

I thing with my bones feeling cold it is a physical response that mirrors what happened at the hospital when they just could warm me up. I was icy and tense.

The choices weren’t obvious ones when I was going through it. More that I felt unwell for a week prior and had moment that I probably should have said no I need to go to a doctor now etc and didn’t until it got too late. Once my waters broke there was nothing they could do and I was septic.

interestingly two of my superiors have been struggling with mental health of late and I did tell one of them who was struggling with high blood pressure, anxiety etc that they should see a psychologist, that I do and it has improved my wellbeing and functionality at work.

I think mental health in general carry’s a lot of stigma and the only way to reduce that is for people to talk about it more. acknowledge that it does not discriminate between, sexes, class, age, cultures, orientation, employed or non employed individuals. Anyone and many will be impacted at sometime during their life span.

[PamelaR]

Hello Elaria

Thank you for sharing more of your story. My heart goes out to you. I have lost many babies. Each one is so painful.

You're right there still is a stigma out there, though, in part I think for myself anxiety it is in part of my own thinking. I.e. my thoughts what I think others are thinking is very present and when I challenge these thoughts I see that it really is my own thoughts creating the stigma.

Kind regards

PamelaR

[PamelaR]

Hi all

I've been thinking how to progress this thread. Firstly I've looked at what's happening globally, then I thought about how I'd like to be treated. So here are my thoughts.

Feel free to add your thoughts. I'd like to see more participation here on how you think stigma can be reduced.

There is a lot of evidence around to show that stigmatising attitudes to mental disorders are responsible for:

• substantial distress
• reluctance to seek help
• reduced employment, social and accommodation opportunities among people with a mental illness.

Governments and policy makers are acknowledging the importance of stigma as a public health problem and the need to implement strategies for addressing it.

Also the World Health Organisation is calling for action amongst its member nations to reduce stigma and several activities in this area have been implemented by the World Psychiatric Association.

But what can we do individually to help ourselves and others in our community?

The way we behave around our family, friends and colleagues living with mental illness can impact on our lives and recovery. Talk about mental illness openly - it is surprising how many people are affected by mental illness, particularly the highly prevalent disorders of depression and anxiety. I know there are some who have posted who feel reluctant to do this. I understand this isn’t for everyone.

To make a real difference, I think we need to help people in our community become aware of the issues and disadvantages people face.
We also need to voice that those with mental illness are entitled to the same rights and opportunities as everyone else.

It's often the everyday things that make a difference. I want them to know having a mental illness is difficult, and sometimes risky, to talk about my situation or problems.

I’d like people to:

• be sensitive to changes they may notice in me.
• be there, listen and be non-judgemental. Make me feel I am not alone and that my issue is important. Encourage me to seek help
• choose the right time and place to approach the issue
• acknowledge what I’m sharing and don’t brush it off
• give me information they have on available resources or support.
• be respectful and think about the words you use. For example know that words like nutter, crazy and psycho are offensive and hurtful to me.
• use body language that shows me, they are here for me
• be relaxed and open.

What would you like to see to help you not feel so triggered?

Kind regards

PamelaR

[startingnew]

Hi Pammy

Ive been reading along and noticed your last post, its a really great post! i really dont have anything to do to it, i agree with all the points youve written down in how others could help with feeling less triggerred.

A big one i find is being 'heard', so many people like to brush things off or use those lines of get over it or youll be right, that makes me feel really invalidated and enhances those triggerred emotions where just listening to the concern i find is really quite helpful.

I try my best to do that even if i cant help to much due to lack of experience so i try to say something like ' im not to sure how to help as i havent experienced this before but maybe this or that would help or contacting this person may be helpful for you' so trying to share a service or a suggestion as well as listening.

[PamelaR]

Hiya Beautiful butterfly wings and everyone else

Thank you for popping by. So good to see you are around and always there to put in a positive word. I do like how you help when you don't think you have the experience by just saying that.That's so good!

So what's new for me - well, last weekend I took a leap of faith and told someone who I'd only met twice before that I had PTSD, anxiety and depression. I was gobbsmacked with myself and it was out before I could stop my tongue from talking. Well, once I started I had to progress of course, couldn't just leave it up in the air like that, so I talked about how 'we need to start talking about it'. The response - nodding of the head. Poor person didn't know what to say. But that's okay.She was still speaking to me by the end of the night. That was a positive.

And then during the week, I revealed to another friend. This person knew good things to say and was very supportive.

Wow, so I am feeling a little triggered of course. But it's all under control. It's a start for me - to not feel scared, fearful, afraid of talking about my PTSD with people who are not so close to me.

I did it to get the conversations started out there. Both these people I talked to come from completely different circles. Both have large circles of interest. So I'm just doing a bit to make a difference if I can....

Everyone - What do you think?

[Idkme]

Hi PamelaR,

that’s very brave if you to do and I guess it means you’re getting used to that feeling of being you....

i am in no way ready to disclose to people at my work... I’ve considered telling my boss on occasions, but the possibility of them looking at me with sympathy absolutely makes me feel sick. I think I’ll have to wait until I know what kind of reaction I am looking for so I can tell them in a way that they could respond the way I would like. There is a lot more positve conversation happening around the place now but I also thing there’s an absolute stigma too.

There is of course another possibility that they already know because, after all, not everyone is stupid and they probably read the signs.... however I guess it’s one of those things that if you wanna know then ask me.

One thing for sure is that your an absolute asset on this site PamelaR and I love your positiveness, but also your down to earth, that’s a refreshing breath of air.

[PamelaR]

Awww thank you Idkme. Such lovely words. It made me feel very good about myself. Thanks. I must say that I also think all Community Champions have so much to offer and are also awesome assets to BB. Of course, we couldn't do it as well as we do without the help from our Valued Contributors, our regular Contributors and newbies. The community is made up of many people from all different walks of life. Everyone gives from their experiences, knowledge and their passions.

You've been marvellous since being on here. I love your posts.

Okay to respond to some of your post.

I probably wouldn't look at me being brave, but I do totally agree it is me becoming comfortable with who I am emerging into. It's almost like a chrysalis turning into a butterfly. I've been stagnate for so long.

Disclosing is very difficult. Took me years and years before I could do it with people I'd known for ages. Having said that, when I say disclose, I didn't go into the detail. It was more quite clinical - I have PTSD, anxiety and depression and this is what happens when I am triggered. Didn't explain why. Neither person asked. (Thankfully 🙂 )

to disclose to people at work takes a lot of fortitude. If you're anything like me - I had an image (role) to live up to. One of being confident, out there, in control. But of course, my boss who was married to someone with severe anxiety and depression picked it in me. She never said anything, though she always had the right words to say and then I had no choice but to tell her after having my breakdown. She gave nothing but complete and whole hearted support. It was a real blessing to have her as my boss. Several years later I told select couple of colleagues.

Good to have you here DKME.

Kind regards

PamelaR

[startingnew]

Hi Pammy

sorry its taken me abit to get back here, ive had some big days esp yesterday with a surgical consult for my upcoming surgury, most of the info came as a shock so havent been in a thinking sort of headspace.

You were really brave to open up like you did, well done. im glad that although that person wasnt to sure what to do or how to respond she did try to listen and understand abit. the second person you spoke to does sound really understanding and perhaps they have some experience themselves. i find those who have had some kind of mental health troubles have better understanding and advice becasue theyve been/going through it themselves.

How are you going since talking openly like you have? you mentioned you were triggerred but you have it under control? is that still the case or could you perhaps do with some support with it?

thank you for starting this thread. i hope others who are reading might be ok with sharing some of their views as well.

Much love and hugs 💐🦋💕

[labradoodle]

Hi Pamela it's good that you feel more comfortable to talk to people about what you are going through. I have had a really crap week like a lot of people Christmas is a really difficult time for me and am just feeling down. Went and visited some friends yesterday just to try to get me out of this funk. Went well they know my PTSD history so it was good being around friends. Just feeling a little overwhelmed at the moment would appreciate any advice Thanks Labradoodle

[Elizabeth CP]

I haven't posted on this thread for a while because in the cooler weather my PTSD isn't a big issue & my situation is different to most other people. I don't know anyone else with similar issues which is hard because I can't really get ideas to deal with it.

Yesterday I had to turn off the radio because I was triggered by the discussion. re the anniversary of Black Saturday. The original traumatic event was in my childhood when I was caught in a bushfire which destroyed our house. I had to learn to cope on my own as talking about it was too upsetting. My family avoided the topic to avoid bringing up painful memories. Some of the strategies I used was self talk to reassure myself I was safe. Black Saturday & the aftermath destroyed that. There were 4 separate fires around that time which had a potential impact on our home. I have since been diagnosed with PTSD. My concern is how to deal with the constant reminders of Black Saturday as we approach the 10th anniversary , combined with the hotter than normal weather & increased fire danger this summer.