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

[PamelaR]

Hi Startingnew

Thank you for getting back to me. You're always there with your support. I love that. Thanks.

So sorry to hear about your surgery. Hope your pre appointment went okay and that all goes well with the surgery. That can be frightening I know. Let us know how things go.

How do I feel now after disclosing? Good actually. I'm never so good the next day, but a week later and all is well. In fact I'm getting gamer and gamer. Have been disclosing a little here and a little there every now and then to different people.

The biggest disclosure was last Sunday when I talked about how I came to have PTSD. That's something I don't generally do. It was with friends I've known for 18 months now. They were shocked, but shocked for me and very caring. Felt it the next day, but have moved on already. I feel it's really starting to help me. I have nothing to be ashamed of, nothing to feel guilty about.

I guess I don't look at it as being brave, more about learning that being triggered is valid. It's not something to hide away from. It helps to explain my behaviour. Generally, I start to sweat, get up and walk away, and usually leave the company I'm in. The reason I disclosed to this couple was they thought I was 'hyperactive'. So I started to explain it was anxiety and where the anxiety came from .... couldn't stop me then.

Hope all goes okay Beautiful Butterfly Wings.... Love and hugs back to you too.

Pammy

[PamelaR]

Hiya Labradoodle and welcome back. It's always good to see you.

Sorry to hear you're feeling overwhelmed at the moment. My thoughts are - the festive season can do that. Along with disclosing or talking to your friends.

Just take a little time to relax, to breath slowly, and to reflect. Has anything happened recently to set things off for you? How's work been? Any incidents that may have set things off for you?

You've been doing so well. I'm very proud of you. Hang in there Labradoodle. Remember - it's okay to feel overwhelmed at times when things happen. It is normal. Do you have anyone who you can talk to about how you're feeling?

Thanks for being here to for me. Disclosing is hard, though I'm beginning to think it's really good for me too. I don't have anything to be frightened about.

Keep reaching out when you want to Labradoodle. It's good to have you around.

Kind regards

PamelaR

[PamelaR]

Hi Elizabeth CP, great to have you here again.

Oh, yes, it is that time of year again that truly sets off your triggers. My heart goes out to you. I'm not sure what things will help. Be prepared, change those reminders into something tangible for yourself. Maybe:

prepare for fire (gutters cleared, house debris cleared away, bag packed with vital records, e.g. photographs, personal papers etc)

write out your plan for evacuation if and when necessary. Have it readily available for everyone.

talk to the family about what everyone needs to do, when and how. Feel like you are taking control of the situation. Don't let it take control of you.

turn off your radio, tv. Don't listen to reports of weather and news. Get a trusted friend, family member to call you if and when you need to do something.

Something else to think about - can you go on a holiday?

It truly is a very difficult time Elizabeth and it is not easy. My thoughts are with you during this season of heat. Take care. You are much stronger than you think or believe.

Kind regards

PamelaR

[Elizabeth CP]

Thanks Pam, One of the issues is we no longer live in a bushfire zone so we should be safe. Problem is logic doesn't stop the emotional response. It also leaves me feeling out of control because actively preparing is irrational given our location but doing nothing leaves me thinking 'what if ember blew over from the nearby national park & started a fire near us. It seems acceptable to worry if there is actual danger but I now get triggered by reports of fires in other states & the sight of charred trees burnt years before.

I had planned to visit my son in the UK now for my grandson's birthday. Unfortunately my husband can no longer cope with the cold. This last winter the cold affected his ability to speak, eat & use his hands so traveling to England for the winter was not appropriate. Previously we both enjoyed snow & cold weather adventures so I miss that. Holidays in Australia this time of year don't work because of the heat & risk of fires.

'

[PamelaR]

Hi Elizabeth - so true, logic doesn't stop the emotional responses. Though trying to change thinking patterns that in turn change the neurotransmitters response will help in the long run. It won't happen over night. It takes a lot of work, time and effort to make these changes in our minds.

Ok, so holidays in Aussie aren't the go. Get that now! I'm really pleased to hear you are taking yourself off to the UK for your grandson's birthday. Excellent tactics. Sorry to hear though hubby won't be joining you. I guess that all must be a bit worrying for you.

Kind regards

PamelaR

[Elizabeth CP]

Sorry we changed the plans to go to the UK. It wouldn't be fair for me to go alone. We will go in May when it is warmer over there unfortunately doesn't help me escape.

The other issue is that escaping can make things worse. We lived in England for a year in 2009 after Black Saturday fires. We had already planned it so it wasn't a deliberate escape. When we came back the following autumn I was shocked to find myself triggered by burnt trees even when it was pouring so no danger at all. This had never happened before. According to my psych being away subconciously taught me that I was safe OS not in Australia. I've had to work hard with exposure therapy to manage this.

[labradoodle]

Hi Pam thanks for your response. The festive season was a trigger for me spoke to my psychologist she explained it well; as echoes/reminders of how I was this time last year. Still struggling but at least functioning. Have a good circle of friends but really feel like I am putting on an act showing a brave face. Will keep you posted Thanks Labradoodle

[PamelaR]

Hi Elizabeth CP

Thanks for explaining. Yes, I understand now, it probably isn't the best to 'escape'. Exposure therapy is difficult hey? I did that and it triggered me all the more. It wasn't well managed though. If you have a good psych I'm sure it should help.

I also see how you must feel safe overseas and not in Australia. Though, in Australia, it's learning what you need to do to make yourself safe. It can be safe and it is safe. It's trying to change those stories in your head when the media is trying to tell you otherwise. I find that incredibly difficult at times. Glad to hear you're working with your psych through this.

What my psych taught me was to bring those thoughts out of the subconscious so the thoughts can be examined, challenged, and replaced with more helpful thoughts. It is really hard work I know, though I found once I started it became easier.

My thoughts are with you during this season Elizabeth. Keep reaching out when you need to.

Kind regards

PamelaR

[PamelaR]

Hi Labradoodle

You've come a very long way since last year. Isn't it good that you're able to now see what is happening. Such an achievement for you.

One thing I find with triggers is - they don't disappear, it's just becomes easier to manage them now that I know what they are. Just like seeing check shirts in the shopping centres - as soon as I see them now, I say - it's okay. You're safe, then mentally set fire to shirts and let them disintegrate. My body responses now are 3/4 of what they used to be.

So, it will get easier as time passes. Being prepared helps. Knowing what to expect of yourself is half the battle I find.

Pleased to hear you have good friends around you. Putting on a brave face is good. I used to do this all the time. I still do I think. In a way that is me lets me feel in control. I'm too old now to change this - more particularly I don't want to change. Being happy is very important to me and expressing that is even more important. I want to be happy even when I'm not feeling that way. Sure the psych would have a field day with that. LOL.

Yes, please do keep me posted Labradoodle. I like hearing from you.

Kind regards

PamelaR

[Recuperandi]

Hello everyone, I am new to BB forums and it looks like a very supportive environment. PTSD and Stigma, I was medically retired from Victoria Police after 29 years of service. I still often wonder if my disclosure that I was struggling with past traumas and with the policing environment was the best decision. I know deep in my heart it was the best decision for me and my family. There is still a undertone of disapproval and stigma in Victoria Police for anyone who discloses a mental health challenge. After two and a half years of intensive treatment, which is still ongoing, I know that disclosing my mental health challenges to management was the bravest thing I have ever done, because if I didn't disclose, the outcome may have been disastrous and all the other police officers who followed me and disclosed their own challenges may have remained silent and suffered in silence. Regardless of what anyone says be proud of your decision to seek help. Of course there are days when I think that all of Victoria Police is talking about me in a negative way and I know that is anxiety talking but on my good days I know it was a decision that saved my life.