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Do you ever wonder why some poor unfortunate souls become apathetic and bitter and don’t want to follow anyone’s advice? I can’t speak for other people, but maybe it’s because they’re told to do one thing and then they’re criticized when they do it. People tell you, “Face your fears! You can’t let phobia and trauma control your life! You have to take charge and show your fear who’s boss!” (and in some cases even attack those who have issues addressing their fears and trauma) and yet the second people with post-traumatic stress disorder (or a similar condition) expose themselves to a mild dose of one of their triggers to deal with it on their own terms and try to have some healing, they’re told, “No, you shouldn’t be doing that! You should avoid your triggers.” ~stares~

First off, do they really think they need to tell people with PTSD to avoid their triggers as much as possible? “You should avoid your triggers.” Oh, wow, you’re saying it might be best if I generally don’t actively seek out the things that leave my nervous system lit up like the dang Kuwaiti oil fields and my entire respiratory system strained from nerves? Gee, I never would have thought of that. -_- You’re full of insights that are way beyond ordinary human wisdom, aren’t you? I wonder if Damar Hamlin’s cardiologist gave him any helpful advice like, “You should avoid getting hit in the chest the wrong way again.” I get that it’s bad if people routinely seek out things that trigger them because it could make things worse and be a sign they’re dealing with their mental health issues in unhealthy ways, but A) how about addressing why they might be doing that and trying to be comforting & helpful instead of waving off the problem with pat advice and B) that’s different from what I’m talking about. If I try to avoid a trigger 99 times out of 100, but I purposely give myself a mild exposure to a trigger 1 time out of 100 to deal with what I’m dealing with on my own terms and try to handle it, is that so wrong? Is it so bad that I do a mild version of what these so-called experts want to charge big bucks for in order to help my own dang self? I can try to avoid my triggers, and I generally do, but I can’t just lock myself away in a tower and never expose myself to any form of media (even my own since I occasionally put one of my triggers in my work to address it and try to deal with it).

Yesterday I did that. I’m not advocating others to do the same thing because it might not be right for them; I can only share my experience. I let myself be exposed to a trigger on my own terms to keep it from controlling me. I did get mildly triggered, yes, but thank G-d I was feeling better later on (Doing things like working on a puzzle and trying not to dwell on things helped). I can’t say I didn’t have issues or that unpleasant things weren’t brought up, but I can say I’m fine. [Edit: I can report that over the next couple days I was a little more emotional and I had occasional flashes, uncomfortable moments, and more memorable dreams, but thankfully I really am fine. It was better than the full-blown, long-lasting attacks I get sometimes] I was tempted to give myself another exposure (because sometimes the mind is tempted to repeat things, even bad things), but thankfully I realized it wouldn’t help and held back, which I look at as progress. Will I expose myself today? Wait, that didn’t sound right… Will I give myself any intentional exposure to my trigger today? Probably not, but if I do, it’ll only be a mild dosage. [Edit: I didn't expose myself again. I try to gain an understanding of when something might help and when something might hurt, which admittedly isn't easy. I feel avoiding a second exposure/more exposure at this time is what's best for me] I did get triggered, yes, but you know what was worse than getting triggered? The thought of not being understood. People need to be treated with compassion and understanding. Generalizing and giving trite all or nothing at all advice doesn’t help people. The people who demand everyone face their fears head-on and the people who demand everyone never confront their triggers at all are both a-holes. You know what the difference is between the “advice” some people want to offer and the old joke, “I told my doctor, ‘It hurts when I do this,’ and he said, ‘Don’t do that!’” or The Dare Show on The Amanda Show? The only difference is the latter two are jokes while the former is expected to be taken as unshakeable truth. What helps me might not be best for others, and that’s okay. Now, the world don't move to the beat of just one drum. What might be right for you may not be right for some. A man is born, he's a- wait, now I’m just quoting the Diff'rent Strokes theme song… Well, the first part fits, doesn’t it?

Please don’t worry about me. I was fine last night, I was fine this morning, and I’ll be fine after I get this off my chest. This isn’t about me; it’s just to spread awareness about the need to be considerate of people & offer real support instead of offering pat advice without thought and being contradictory. Now, as part of the healing process, all rise for the “There, there! Just let it out; it’ll be okay” anthem- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1NfaXsSSVj8