Messages

1. I use prescribed medication, I overeat, I check-out mentally - dissociate, I work, try to get away from what's triggered me, sleep, love on my animals, ask friends to keep me in touch with the reality of the here and now - who I am.

2. We moved away from my mother, the source of most of my triggers. Try to limit her visits (though she totally disrespects my requests), as an only child I've been unable to bring myself remove her entirely. Remaining in touch with my therapist even if I can't visit. Sending her a text, scheduling a visit, or just talking on the phone if it's hard to get away. Use cognitive tools as the others indicated - using my senses to bring me back to the present moment so I don't feel small and out of control.

Her visits. I survive until it's over, then I descend into a depression and thoughts of self-hatred. I'm only recently consciously aware of this trend after years of therapy and recovery. I didn't realize that I was triggered to a trauma loop.

Her touch, when she tries to hug me.
Her rage.
Seeing a mother yell at her crying child. Actually, just about any instance of inappropriate rage toward a child.

There are others but I'm very close to a recent visit of hers and in the middle of healing, those are the ones I'm in touch with.