Post Traumatic Stress Support Group

I go to these support meetings. They are not for PTSD. When a particular person shares in this group he quite often says things like "put a gun to someones head and shoot them". I get really weird when this happens and feel very uncomfortable, tears and terror. I dont know what to do. I can not change my group - it is home to me, I have been there 19 years. This has happened b4 and I start to hallucinate seeing - I wont share but it is very violent and terrifying. I dont want this to trigger this kind of response and am not sure how to handle it. When I hear him starting to share this way I usually get up and leave the room till he has finished sharing. Any suggestions. I dont know if I have the right to say something to him. I relate to PTSD although they say I am bipolar too. I still think if you seen what I seen with my kind of personality (sensitive) you would slip a cog in your brain too. It took me three years to come back into my body and dissociated for years. I do alot better these days but have to avoid all sorts of violence or reference to it. Am really scared and would appreciate any ideas........................

I can relate to the personal support groups. I belonged to a sexual support group for many years but no more. The counselor told us that we would end up just like our abusers and should go out and just do it. It to upset me very very much. It was just to get us in touch and to face our fears and was not intentional. I had found later that is was better for me to see my fears on paper. So i started journaling and coming up with solutions for my fears. Reading a good book or doing something you love like a hobby. Sticking to these things can help and to be very soothing to the mine and sole.

Scott

Yeah but how do I handle it when I am in the room and he is saying this stuff and I start to disintergrate. I am so use to removing myself and avoiding anything that triggers me. I can face my fears but I dont know how to face my terror. I dont believe I am bipolar and relate to ptsd so much more. Do I face this stuff or do I keep avoiding it.

I would definitely tell the supposed "good" leader of this group, and also, what you are doing is excellent. Leaving the room. If you can gain the courage, if the leader does not address this with that particular person, I suggest you say before leaving, "I'm sorry, but I get triggered with these topics, so pardon me, but I must leave while this subject is being spoken about.

Triggers are to be avoided, and you are doing just that, great work!!!

Thanks Donna, some people think I should face them but they dont have PTSD. Its not worth it what I could go thru.

To trigger are negative, not positive, like lighting a firework, thinking it's a firecracker, and it winds up being dynomite.

Nope,,,,,,,,,,,,always go with your gut instinct. We do not all have the same patterns, trust yours.

Post edited by: DonnaLynne, at: 03/15/2010 03:52 PM

Unless you believe that there is a good likelyhood that you could keep yourself grounded, there is no need to face a trigger. Unless it is unaviodable,there is no need to face a trigger at all. What purpose would facing it do? Triggers are not like fears that you can overcome.

Brenda

Brenda

Thanks Brenda. That explains alot. No wonder I cant get anywhere with my triggers. My fears I have and try to face but these triggers dont budge. I will continue to walk out when he shares - it is not worth what I will go thru. Thanks, you guys are so helpful.........