PTSD and triggers

Ronni

Ronni

Well-known Member
Location
Nashville TN
As a result of the 30+ years of abuse in my marriage, and the 15+ years of one of my son’s drug addiction, I continue to deal with PTSD and all kinds of triggers.

There was a time when I simply couldn’t have a male dentist, a male doctor, couldn’t be in a checkout line where there was a male checker, wasn’t able to deal well with interactions with males at all other than with my sons and my brother. I would get very agitated, shake, hyperventilate, my heart would race, Od feel like I was going to pass out.

Similarly when my son was deep in the throes of his addiction there were things that triggered me so badly I couldn’t function. The sight of a red truck, homeless people, certain neighborhoods, one chain of gas stations, would have me pulled over because I was crying and short of breath.

I was medicated twice over several years to deal with the triggers and PTSD. It was not a fun time in my life.

These days, though I still suffer with PTSD and triggers, I’m able to function without medication. I have a very understanding husband, and family members who get the issue and allow me the loving space to deal with these issues

I’m very lucky they no longer have the power over me they they used to, and that I have supportive family! ❤️
 

I can relate to PTSD and "triggers." I have had multiple PTSD events in my life - from falling down a flight of stairs to being in an emotionally abusive relationship to becoming suddenly widowed. For me, a trigger could be from watching a movie and crying for no apparent reason, or being fearful when I watch certain movies. I think there should be a law that has the following written next to the "G" or "PG" or "R" ratings. "Warning - PTSD triggers." This would help me a lot because then I would be prepared when I watch the movies. Same thing with books. I cannot read certain fiction that is violent (I get sick to my stomach) or the plot is about messed-up lives. Over time, however, I have learned to reason through the thoughts and emotions and have distanced myself from these feelings. If I overreact to something, I am sure that it's a PTSD trigger.

On the positive side, I have somehow learned to take the PTSD handed to me and spin it around and make it into a positive outcome. For example, after my late husband died, I pursued many charitable functions and helped many causes.
 
PeppermintPatty said:
I’m sorry you have had to deal with this horrific disorder Ronnie . It’s a disorder that can affect every single aspect of a persons life. I’ve also got PTSD which I was diagnosed with back in 1987. PTSD is something many veterans deal with after serving and protecting their country yet are often forgotten about. Many of them turning to drugs and alcohol.

There is a now a new category listed in the DSM -5 called complex post traumatic stress disorder which basically is a diagnose given to those who have had multiple traumatic events over a period of time or their entire life.This new listing has been added in the Canadian DSM - 5 but might not be recognized elsewhere. It is what I deal with.

https://www.healthline.com/health/cptsd


https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-complex-ptsd-2797491

It’s a difficult disorder to deal with since it literally changes your brain and how it functions. Someone with this can become hypersensitive, hyper vigilant , be hyper aroused , are often over reactive, have intense flashbacks , nightmares, insomnia, difficulties with relationships, have anger issues, self esteem issues, have disassociation as well as memory loss of events too traumatic to recall . The list is extensive and unfortunately those suffering from this often get labelled as toxic personalities which only stigmatizes those with this debilitating disorder which then can result in these individuals to isolate themselves in feelings of more shame and guilt , being the last thing they need.

Sharing the trauma that’s caused this isn’t something I’m willing to do for various reasons but am grateful that it has been added to our mental health section. My hope is that this mental health section will not only help those who need it but also educate those who might not know or understand about these devastating illnesses.
Click to expand...
I believe our @Shalimar suffers from CPTSD.

My heart goes out to you @PeppermintPatty. It’s a difficult disorder to deal with. ❤️
 
Ronni said:
I believe our @Shalimar suffers from CPTSD.

My heart goes out to you @PeppermintPatty. It’s a difficult disorder to deal with. ❤️
Click to expand...
Thank you. Yes! Shalimar deals with CPTSD also. From what you’ve shared with us regarding all the traumas you’ve been through, it’s quite possible you might have it also. It’s recently recognized in the Canadian DSM-5 but isn’t in the American DSM-5. This however doesn’t me it doesn’t exist. I was trying to explain that in my other post but did a terrible job of doing so.

There’s an excellent book out about CPTSD called Complex PTSD - from surviving to thriving by Pete Walker MA. He’s a therapist who has this disorder and counsels those with it. This book is like the Bible of CPTSD and so very helpful. Not that it replaces therapy but certainly is a very useful tool.
I thought that you might want to check it out for your own recovery. It’s probably the most popular book on this topic and understandably why.
 
@PeppermintPatty I think I had that Complex PTSD book in my Amazon cart but removed it for some reason. Does it ever make apologies for the abuser or want to force the victim to see things from the abusers side? I'm not without empathy. But my mother, IMO, lost her own trauma card when she abused others.
 
Remy said:
@PeppermintPatty I think I had that Complex PTSD book in my Amazon cart but removed it for some reason. Does it ever make apologies for the abuser or want to force the victim to see things from the abusers side? I'm not without empathy. But my mother, IMO, lost her own trauma card when she abused others.
Click to expand...
I’m unsure of the question Remy. Does the ever make apologies for the abuser(s)?
Not that I am aware of and I wasn’t aware there was such thing as a trauma card, or an anxiety card or a depression card or an OCD card etc., etc., etc., The book explains about what complex stress disorder is, how people get it, what the signs and symptoms are and how it gets treated.

It explains how CPTSD is often misdiagnosed. There is no trauma card
 

You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top