58 Triggers( trauma reminders) and flashbacks
TO THE TRAINER
PART II: THE TRAINING
Triggers( trauma reminders) and flashbacks
Aim. To clarify the nature of triggers( trauma reminders) and how survivors understand their own state of mind.
Trauma-reminders
Triggers, or trauma-reminders, are events or situations that remind victimised persons of their painful experiences and memories. Such reminders may elicit trauma reactions over and over again. We will call them‘ triggers’. They can be extremely distressing and create such anxiety that people are afraid to go out, see people, hear certain sounds or do many ordinary usual things.
Flashbacks are sudden, often strong and uncontrollable re-experiences of a traumatic event or elements of that event.
The story highlights the fear that many traumatised women experience. They do not trust anyone who approaches them. Everything they see and hear can feel threatening. In particular, formerly neutral events may become trauma-reminders – inspiring fear, repeated trauma-reactions and a feeling of losing oneself, not being in control. Some women feel that the traumatic event is happening again.
The following section of the story highlights how trauma reactions continue to recur long after the original trauma event.
For a survivor, it is empowering to learn that her reactions to this very serious and painful event are normal.
It is important to encourage the participants to observe the Butterfly Woman’ s immediate reactions carefully and think about what scares her. What troubles her thoughts, feelings, breathing, heart, and body? Do the things that scare her have common features? Do some things help her?
KEY POINT
The story shows that
• Suffering can be recognised in thoughts, feelings, breathing, heart and body.
• The responses are natural ones to an extremely serious and painful experience.