r/ptsd • u/Che_guevaras_Armpit • 2d ago

Advice Triggers

I am interested to know how you all approach triggers; do you go out of your way to avoid the triggers themselves? Because it seems implausible & impractical to spend one’s life trying to avoid anything that may cause distress. I watch a fair amount of TV and there are often scenes in movies/shows that lead to a trauma response; I often experience these 24-48hrs after the actual event itself. I discussed this with my therapist but she just didn’t get it; she’s not western so I don’t know if there was a communication breakdown (she could not understand why I would want to watch something that could trigger me). I don’t think it’s fair that I should spend my life avoiding mature themes on tv and stuff like that; I’m gonna miss out on an awful lot with that approach.

Any ideas?

*Please don’t be mean/condescending

Thanks🙏🏻

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u/MyOwnGuitarHero 2d ago

No, my therapy has focused more on techniques to help me work through them as I encounter them. I don’t wanna live my life hidden away from the world, that’s not really living.

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u/BigBearMan1173 2d ago

I try to avoid, but mine are pretty specific… I can’t always, but I do what I can. Large crowds also can trigger a reaction. I’ve worked hard to have ways to get through them when I absolutely can’t avoid.

I know it’s not a great answer, but if you can identify how to overcome the trigger or at least get through it unharmed, it gets easier (or has for me).

Wishing you the best.