Hello,

I have a diagnosis of PTSD and I have been partaking in emdr for almost 18 months which has been incredibly helpful. Over the last few months I have been doing really well and generally feeling good.
On Saturday I heard a particular sound while at a cafe that triggered me. My hands were so shaky that i split bpiling hot tea down my front and created a right old scene 🤦‍♀️.Two days later I feel irritable, withdrawn, confusedand I have had two nights of unpleasant dreams. I understand why I feel this way, I guess I just need to get it off my chest. I'm trying not to believe that I have gone "backwards" per say, though easier said than done ! Thanks for reading, I just needed to vent :).

Hello Dear Sun_Rain..

We are sorry that you were triggered into your PTSD..it’s horrible and we go down so quickly without even knowing it..I also have PTSD as well as many of our lovely community here...I am undergoing therapy for it, and it’s cause....

I don’t think you have backwards, triggers sometimes happen and takes us back to that time...That’s when we need to try to bring us back to the present...the here and now..and tell ourself that we are safe....I have a small grounding box I carry in my handbag... to ground myself as soon as I can...,You can make one..if you feel you might need one....Thread title”Grounding yourself..what is and how do we””...There are many ideas on grounding yourself when your triggered..

Night seems to bring the thoughts cycling around our minds..and makes it hard to have a good sleep...Maybe a gentle sleep story read to you by a calming voice on You tube as you lay down to sleep.....If we listen to the story , our mind can have a rest and calm down before we sleep....

Sun_Rain...are you still under professional care..if so..would you feel up to talking to your psych about your trigger...They will help you also with some coping tools, and grounding techniques....

Talk here anytime..We are here for you to try to help you..

Kind thoughts..

Grandy..

Good morning grandy,

Thankyou for taking the time to reply, it's appreciated !

I do have regular engagement with my psychologist and definitely intend to mention it to her. My next appointment is a week away which feels like a really long time at the moment.

In terms of feeling like I have gone backwards, I seem to think that I shouldn't have these reactions.. because I've been doing emdr for so long it feels like I should be better. I know this is not reasonable, however it's what my mind likes to tell me. It frightens me when I experience such a reaction after months of managing well. Do you know what I mean ?

Thankyou for talking with me, it feels good :).

Hello Dear Sun_Rain..

I am really pleased to hear that you have an appointment next week with your psychologist...It might seem far away darl but it will get here soon enough....My appointments are 3 weeks apart..and I try not to think about the time in between....

I think that PTSD stays with us...it’s the way we’re taught to manage those triggered downs is so important to do so ASAP....I still get them, some times I can get passed them quicker then other times...My psych told me that my past cannot physically hurt me now...and when I go down...To tell myself that and bring myself into the here and now...Easy to say but with a damaged soul and mind..it’s very hard...

I have learnt for me, that if I go outside and feel the weather, listen to birds and watch them playing around in the trees they bring me back to the now...

Yes Sun_Rain...I really do know what you’re talking about..but please...remember that you are doing your best to help yourself, you have the want to heal you...and it will happen in time...It doesn’t matter how long you need therapy to get well, it’s always baby steps with the mentally challenged, some times we do fall, and it really doesn’t matter how many times we fall..as long as we get up each time, dust ourselves down and try again....You have been and still are doing a really great job....and we are all proud of you...

Talk anytime you feel up to it..We are near listening Sun_Rain....and care for you...

kind and caring thoughts..

Grandy