When you suffer from betrayal trauma and/or PTSD it can be very overwhelming to be in public places. There could be a million different things that can cause triggers that send you into a downward spiral that is hard to get out of. For a better description of what it is like click here. Below is another tool I use when I am at home or in a public place.
When I am out in a public place I can and will get triggered by lots of things. There are over a million things that can trigger me I learned to be a “Passenger on a Train”. I visualize my train down to every little detail. It is good to get a good visualization of your train before you are in a public place. Make sure your train has a window you can open so you can hear the noises too. It is also important to smell the smells as you travel on this train. When you are getting triggered you can put yourself as a “Passenger on a Train”. Watch the trigger go by from right to left or left to right. Smell the smells, hear the noises and feel them go by as you travel on your train. The idea is to train your brain to take your triggers and process them in a way where you acknowledge them but do not let the feelings send you into that dreadful downward spiral.
The hardest part about this tool and other tools is to remember you have them available. Make sure you keep a list of different tools and exercises that work for you. This list should always be handy.
“You will never be the same, but you can be better.” -Lauren Beth
