Join a Community That Understands You

Get answers from those who share your health journey

Left Image 1Middle Image 1Right Image 1

Explore Over 11,000+ Conditions, Medications, and Symptoms.

Get a personalized feed by signing up for free.

avatar

HBIC

Updated 10mo ago

Dealing with Trivialization of Triggers

How do you cope with people thinking your triggers are silly or stupid. I was in an abusive relationship and my abuser was addicted to a famous musician, so now every time I hear her on the radio I start having a panic attack. I've actually had people laugh at me for that.

Can you help? connect today

avatar

stephani1983

2y

Ignore them if they havent gone through it they will never understand so no matter how many times you try to explain it will be like explaining to a wall
avatar

DX

2y

I try to explain the depth of the distress (without going into detail because it can be exhausting and a little too vulnerable at times). I say something like "I know it's probably silly and nonconsequential to you because you don't have this experience; but for me my world shakes when I go through this and my body goes into terror mode. I can't help it." If they still don't respect that, then try to keep your distance as much as you can. Unfortunately I haven't seen one of my best friends for months because she couldn't respect my boundaries and thought they were silly or like I was being "too much." And it helps too to remember that being triggered means we survived something. We fought hard and made it to the other side, and we're still fighting and moving forward. People who minimize that are either people who have been privileged enough not to have to suffer, or people who have their own mess that they're not dealing with or being responsible for. In either case, you have the right to reassure yourself that you have immense power for being able to move through this and nobody can take that away from you.
avatar

HBIC

2y

thank you for this. This is so reassuring
avatar

Mop

2y

Know that you are not alone, once I was too scared to go into a room, and two people I considered friends were being very judgy about it, so I decided to explain, and they said "I have trauma too and I'm not a wimp like that" and "that happened 12 years ago, get over it." No matter how hard we try there will be people incapable of empathy. I try to help people understand, and if they still can't, I don't really like that kind of person. It still hurts to this day but I try to remind myself that *I* know that *I* had a good reason to be scared of going in that room, that my fear was valid, and that I am trying *my* best every day to overcome the things that have happened to me. Nobody else can define how strong I am being about a certain situation. I'm sort of just repeating what DX said, but big hugs out to you, there are so many other ways you have overcome your abuser that are so huge and nobody will ever truly understand that. Not liking a singer doesn't invalidate the Mount Everests you've already climbed.
avatar

ShoobyDoobyDoo91

2y

Triggers can be anything!! Everyone's triggers who have had traumatic things happen can be anything that relates to the situation! My papa who molested me drank Milwaukees best ice aka:the beast....I can't stand the smell the look nothing!! Trigger trigger trigger for me.
avatar

Riptide

2y

That's just mean. People are afraid of any mental health condition so most don't even try to understand it
avatar

MarySol

2y

I've had people do more of what triggers me just to laugh while I implode. Get rid of them! I am here. I understand.
avatar

Mop

2y

those people are the worst x_x My middle school life in a nutshell. Theres tons of other human beings that actually deserve our attention and care. I used to feel like there werent but I found them eventually! Here's to everyone here finding real friends
avatar

computerbird

2y

Ignore them instead of freaking out I yell in my head but I ignore them I think people like that have a superiority complex abuse that so they stop
avatar

MarySol

2y

They are bullies who need to feel powerful.
avatar

Laellaxe

2y

Honestly people are stupid. If you explain that something is painfully upsetting because it reminds you of traumatic experiences, and they blow it off or laugh ...then they don't deserve to be around you.
avatar

MarySol

2y

Brilliantly said!
avatar

Samanthaelise

2y

I understand how you feel. I won't go to a certain town because my ex lives there and the thought of running into him sends me into a panic attack. Is it silly to me heck no. To others maybe. Do I care. No. They haven't lived through the trauma I lived through with him. Emotional scars don't heal fast. It's been almost 9 years for me and I still get scared over it.
avatar

MarySol

2y

I would never laugh at your pain. Your experience is valid and the discomfort generated from it is real. You are a human being with emotions and needs and concerns. I would pounce on the radio to change the station to give you peace. If there was anything you wanted to face that caused you trauma response I would always tell you I would be there. I would never force anything on you to face. People I know have tried to force what they want in their timeline because they don't get it. I will never return to them. Never. No matter who.
avatar

E_belli

2y

Triggers suck. And they can be anything. One of my triggers is the smell of peanut butter that I've had for 26 years. It's definitely been awkward in some situations throughout childhood/adolescence and into adulthood when I start having a panic attacks. You deserve patience and understanding. They are not silly and you don't deserve to be laughed at, that's cruel. Just focus on what's happening in your body and try not to worry about them. You don't owe anyone an explanation. Unless you feel comfortable sharing and want to. You are strong and a survivor. Screw them.
avatar

Laellaxe

2y

What other people think about you is none of your business

The content in this post is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

feed-footer-0

Free unlimited access

to all community content

feed-footer-1

Find others who are

medically similar to you

feed-footer-2

Pose questions and join

meaningful discussions

pp-logo

Alike is a transformative platform that goes beyond just bringing together patients; it meticulously connects individuals based on multiple critical factors, such as age, gender, comorbidities, medications, diet, and more, fostering a community of knowledge, support and empathy.

appStoreBtngooglePlayBtn

© 2020-2024 Alike, Inc