Understanding Trauma Responses Caused by Combat Situations and Domestic Violence
photo credit
Lance Reis via unsplash
Triggers from traumatic experiences in our lives come in many forms. Trauma is a powerful thing, and survivor’s responses, or triggers, in relation to that trauma can be just as powerful. Survivors of domestic violence can be triggered by things they see or perceive, sounds, even smells and tastes can take someome back to a dark place. These triggers tend to be very personal and spontaneous in that there is no real predictability to them. Survivors may be fine for a day or two years after the trauma and seemingly out of nowhere they start having panic attacks around an anniversary, speciific location, or a new co worker that wears a certain perfume or cologne. How survivors respond to their triggers can also differ greatly, but there are common signs to look out for.
Here are some of the most common trauma trigger responses:
Irritability
Unhealthy coping (substance use/self medicating, oversleeping, isolation)
Sudden onset of physical symptoms (nausea, fatigue)
Flashbacks
Paranoia
Crying spells or crying for unknown reasons
Panic attacks or increased anxiety
Fear
I can think of a few times when I have experienced more than a few of the above symptoms. Most recently I was driving home from an unusually long day at my other job. It is a route I take every day, nothing unusual about it. Except this particular time I was driving after dark. I can usually drive after dark wthout issue. However, on this route there is a patch of forrest that when the moonlight catches the “skyline” of it just right; looks almost identical to certain areas of Iraq when I did my tours. This coupled with the trash that has been carelessly dumped along the highway, had me beginning to go into a panic attack. I pulled my vehicle over into a well lit gas station and stabilized myself enough to finish the journey home.
Things that can help when triggered:
Positive sensory experiences can help – I use this a lot with my clients. Grounding techniques are an excellent way to stabilize ourselves, in the moment without really needing to do anything except be present. Focus on the sights, sounds, smells, textures, and/or tastes of the present environment. Breathe deeply and slowly until your brain gets the message that you are safe and away from the traumatic experience.
Talk to someone – Family, a close friend, or a mental health professional can all help stabilize us. A lot of times, we tend to bottle our emotions up until something or someone “lights the fuse”, and we end up letting those emotions out in unhealthy ways and hurting innocent people.
Keep a journal – If you’re having a hard time identifying your triggers, keeping a journal of responses and events surrounding them might help. Identify the emotion you feel during a response. When you identify the emotion, pay attention to what it does to your body as well as what event or situation initiated the response. Over time, you may see a pattern begin to emerge that can help you understand your triggers.
If you or someone you know is experiencing any of this and needs help navigating these triggers or responses. Reach out, I can help.