I can never avoid my triggers.

[HalfJack]

I'm finding it really hard not to bump into triggers, especially when I'm watching TV or interacting with any kind of media.
It keeps ruining the rare good days I have and it's driving me crazy!

I won't go into what they are incase other people get upset but it's affecting my sleep and I'm struggling to relax after.

How do you guys deal with triggers? Is there anyway to stop yourself reacting badly to them?

[missalex]

My fiance always sits be down and says "imagine you are in a room and in that room with you is a giant hungry tiger coming towards you" do you have time to worry about the what ifs? well, no but easier said then done. My triggers are thinking about my mom being sick and new epidemics,
Try the tiger thing,

[TooMuchToLiveFor]

I don't really have things that are specific triggers for me, but from what I've learned CBT therapy and Exposure therapy are two of the best ways to lessen or delete the power these things have on you.

[HalfJack]

Thanks, guys.
I'll look into CBT. Exposure therapy sounds pretty heavy! But I won't rule anything out yet. Thanks again.

My main triggers are sexual assault scenes and general pornographic imagery which is EVERYWHERE!

[TooMuchToLiveFor]

Hmmmm….those triggers would be harder for exposure therapy as they are not very neutral subject matter.

Have you talked to a therapist at all?

You might be able to put some kind of block on your media that won't allow certain things to be displayed. I know there are many parental controls out there that allow you to do certain things like that.

[HalfJack]

I hadn't thought of doing that! Thanks!
I can't afford therapy, not at the moment anyway.

[MyNameIsTerry]

Did you mention you were in Burton On Trent in another thread?

There is a charity called Changes which has just started a new office over there. They offer group discussion sessions and various courses, mostly CBT based. It's all free and everyone involved is a service user as the charity was started decades ago but anxiety sufferers. There is no obligation to anything in it.

Also, Healthy Minds is now linked to Changes so they may operate your way. Healthy Minds are a charity who receive grants from the NHS to offer Level 2 (guided self help) and Level 3 (High Intensity Therapy - CBT, Exposure Therapy, etc) and your GP can refer you. You have to to Level 2 first, which is CBT based and 5 telephone sessions after initial consultation, but they see you within 30 days. Level 3 is the full face to therapy over about 12-14 sessions with later check ups on progress but there is usually a 3 months waiting list after Level 2 for this due to demand.

Thats all free.

Aside from that, what about a CBT book or course on here? Mindfulness Based CBT (MBCBT) is a new form which the NHS approves off being led in the UK by prof Mark Williams from Oxford uni. A lot of therapists are using this now as it blends CBT with Mindfulness meditation over an 8 week course. It's just CBT with a different meditation and progressive goals. It might be worth a look.

Any help?

All the best.


T

[Spondoolicks]

Where can I find the mindfulness cbt course on here please. I'm very interested.

[Ryan92]

Hi HalfJack, I feel the same when I see something sad or depressing on tv. I try and do something like a hobby to try and take my mind off of it :D Definitely have a look into cbt :) It could be just what you need to help you :D

---------- Post added at 18:36 ---------- Previous post was at 18:12 ----------

Hi Spondoolicks, Ive had a look and found this website through no more panic. The next course starts in May, its free and Ive noticed a lot of people are saying they've found it very helpful :)
https://sites.google.com/site/mindfulnessonlinecourse/Home

Theres also these found on google.
http://www.bangor.ac.uk/mindfulness/about.php.en
http://mbct.co.uk/
http://www.bemindfulonline.com/

[HalfJack]

I didn't expect so much good advice, wow!
Yeah CBT looks good, I'll definitely look into it more. I'm quite excited (and overwhelmed) haha x

[MyNameIsTerry]

Don't worry about the exposure therapy Halfjack but I would be careful typing it into Google!

What you said amount the imagery doesn't affect me, although I have intrusive thoughts about violence & sexual things at times, but I agree it's hard to avoid thesedays. Perhaps the CBT will help you understand it and change your perception of it e.g. acceptance in that it's out there but you won't let it bother you.

I have issues with TV programmes affecting me but I think it's just the anxiety doing it's usual trick of taking what is normal thought to everyone and push it further until it's out of context.

My experience with Health Minds was that the therapist always asked what I wanted to discuss and whether I was happy to discuss something. She would also ask if I was happy to do so with her as the relationship with a therapist/counsellor is very important. A guy that used to work for me had counselling and he never benefitted so changed counsellors and had his first breakthrough in years. So, don't be afraid to be honest woth them...I'm sure they have seen it all.

All the best.


T

[HalfJack]

I think even if it helped me a little that would be enough for it not to be something I'd consider a problem anymore.

I don't know if I would do OK in therapy but it's worth a thought. I spend all day trying to push it away and deal I'm not sure I even have the words to talk about it to someone else. Or the flood gates will open haha.