Triggers that shouldn't be triggers *TW*

I find that I have strange triggers that don't make sense and shouldn't be triggers for me. I had to sit through a presentation on abortion today and had an extremely hard time remaining present when the pro-choice presenter was describing methods of abortion...but I've never had one and don't know anyone who's had one. Why should it upset my system so badly?

Another one is...

...TRIGGER WARNING...

...pedophilia and any instances of child molestation. I've known victims of that, but never was one myself to my knowledge. Yet, the mere mention of it sets my system off.

...END TRIGGER WARNING...

Do any of you guys have weird triggers that you don't understand?

certain kids cartoons or toys trigger me in a bad way for some weird reason.

The more I learn about my system and what we've gone through, the less surprised I am by our triggers. That said, some of them are still pretty weird.

*Trigger Warning*

Nausea - I'm told this is not overly unusual for people with DID.

Certain angles of light and time of day - no idea what's up with this.

Religion - no idea why this is a trigger

Mayonnaise - again, no idea

Loud banging noises - someone was fixing the door at the psychiatrist's and banging a hammer. It freaked me out.

Mouth noises - chewing, eating, etc.

*trigger warning*

Interesting thread!

LittleRedDogToo wrote:Mouth noises - chewing, eating, etc.

Same here. I have a pretty good idea why it's triggering for me.

It feels like there are more and more triggers all the time. The ones that seem odd are:

Sirens- I think because it means someone is suffering/in pain

Being offered anything (ie: help, snacks)- I think subconsciously I believe they will then feel like it'll be ok to yell or be mad at me if they give me things.

Traffic- Aside from the frustration, I feel trapped in traffic and it can be very triggering.

Shopping- Sometimes I feel overwhelmed when I'm at stores where the salespeople ask if we need help. This one can be debilitating. I suppose because it also involves the "being offered anything" trigger in a way.

Question: by triggers or triggering, do you mean things that will trigger the alters to switch? Or just trigger a reaction, response within the system, ie. something that means its sensitive to you.
If the first, wouldn't different alters have different triggers aswel? I'm unfamiliar still with the language.

Oh i just read that a trigger is something that would cause stress, panic etc, so im guessing you mean it in this way.
Thanks

Fightforlife wrote:Question: by triggers or triggering, do you mean things that will trigger the alters to switch? Or just trigger a reaction, response within the system, ie. something that means its sensitive to you.
If the first, wouldn't different alters have different triggers aswel? I'm unfamiliar still with the language.

Oh i just read that a trigger is something that would cause stress, panic etc, so im guessing you mean it in this way.
Thanks

Fightforlife brings up a very good point. Depending on the trigger, I can either get very dissociated or another alter will come out. Usually, it's the latter for me, but as we gain better communication and get closer to one another this doesn't always mean a blackout for me anymore.

If the trigger is one that brings out another alter, then to me, it literally feels like I've been shoved out of the way and the body gets a massive headache that usually lasts roughly a day and generally includes lots of spotty memories or happenings.

I can think of lots of logical triggers, ie. people standing too close to me, sends shivers down my spine and I feel like passing out. Or their body reactions in general, esp fast movements, unpredictability. But i guess that's not unusual. Can't go near knives easily.
Find rooms, beds weird etc

I feel trapped in traffic too, esp at red lights, I just don't like the colour red at all!

Clothes in a laundry pile, makes me think of crumpled bodies, but think that's just me being odd!

Fightforlife wrote:Question: by triggers or triggering, do you mean things that will trigger the alters to switch? Or just trigger a reaction, response within the system, ie. something that means its sensitive to you.
If the first, wouldn't different alters have different triggers aswel? I'm unfamiliar still with the language.

Oh i just read that a trigger is something that would cause stress, panic etc, so im guessing you mean it in this way.
Thanks

There are different triggers.

One type of trigger is the type that is most common, where it causes an alter to come out because that alter is reacting to the trigger.

Another type of trigger is the type that triggers the system as a whole, which is what feeling-empty's first post was about. It causes everyone to feel uneasy, instead of only causing specific alters to be uneasy (though the levels of uneasiness can still vary).

Yet another type of trigger is the type that triggers an alter, but does not trigger them to come "out". Instead, it triggers a reaction that is felt/noticed/experienced by the host or whoever is "out" at the time. Yet the triggered alter remains "inside" though their reactions are felt by the one that is "out".

There are also "good" triggers and "bad" triggers.

A "bad" trigger is one that causes unpleasant feelings, forced switches, flashbacks, etc.

A "good" trigger is one that is usually situational. It will either call an alter forward or completely "out", and this alter will be better equipped to handle the situation than whoever is out/was out previously.
For example: I don't like driving. Especially in traffic. I start to feel claustrophobic and anxious, and I get paranoid that I'm swerving even though I'm not (though the paranoia can cause me to over-correct and thus, swerve anyway). So if I don't feel like I can handle it, Kat will come out and drive for me (she has no problems whatsoever, and actually likes driving).
Another example: I don't like talking on the phone. Never have. However, Rain does not mind talking on the phone, and is better than me at it (I get nervous and stumble over words and forget things I was supposed to say and stuff. She doesn't). So whenever I have to talk on the phone, Rain comes out and does it for me, or at least helps me with it.

I hope this helped clear up stuff.

-Cassandra

Thanks Cassandra for answering,
It does clear it up.
Has helped me think a it more about good triggers and bad, I'm aware of both, I guess there are also reasons behind them usually, whether defensive, protective, or to use a skill or strength like you mentioned etc..

I believe whenever you feel triggered - by whatever definition - there is a reason. Our T said that once it took her months to figure out with another client why this other client was getting triggered on a particular street. She said 9 x out of 10 - she was fine, and sometimes she would get triggered (meaning - inexplicably anxious and sometimes an alter would come out) never knowing why... Until they uncovered a memory (bad) that involved a person who drove a red truck.

Well..the next time she was walking and felt that anxiety - she realized a red truck had just passed her. Then it made sense... once she realized what the root cause was, she was able to breathe and allow the effects go away much quicker... or maybe it was someone in a red shirt. Can't remember..but it was something with the color and that's why it was so sporadic seeming.