How to Recognize the PTSD Triggers [& Conquer Them] | MedCircle

Get access to EXCLUSIVE interviews with Dr. Judith Joseph here: bit.ly/3gfhhlO
Whether it was an accident, wartime, natural disaster, physical or sexual assault, or the death of a loved one, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can be a lasting consequence of witnessing traumatic ordeals. Certain triggers - no matter how small - bring back painful memories of the trauma. If you're caring for someone living with PTSD, recognizing the triggers is half the battle of conquering them. In this interview with New York-based psychologist and PTSD expert Dr. Judith Joseph, host Kyle Kittleson finds out how people with PTSD and their loved ones can recognize triggers, cope with them more effectively, and regain control over their lives.
Discussion highlights include:
00:00 Intro to PTSD vs acute stress
00:42 Triggers to be aware of
02:12 How triggers change over time
03:48 Exposure therapy
04:41 How to help a loved one with PTSD
06:32 PTSD and children
07:46 Final thoughts
Have PTSD from working as an EMT or first responder? Want to learn more about the warning signs and treatment options for PTSD? Watch the rest of our original series with Dr. Joseph, PTSD: Ending the Silent Epidemic, at medcircle.com to find out all this and more.
#PTSD #MentalHealth #MedCircle
PS: June is PTSD Awareness Month! Get educated on this important and relevant conversation with MedCircle educational videos - on both KZbin and MedCircle.com

[@chronic_payne5669]

Imagine thinking it’s about the “avoidable” triggers when it comes to PTSD. When in reality that shit just smacks you right in the face out of nowhere, for absolutely no reason at all. A smell can bring you to your knees, or a song that comes on while you’re just trying to get through your grocery shopping or footsteps running up behind you, you turn around ready to literally fight for your life and it’s just a couple of little kids playing. PTSD is a hell I wouldn’t wish on anyone.

[@Barbara_Banks_1]

I was/am a lot like you. I did some research as to what supplements would help ptsd. I found helpful information on web md. I am taking 3 of the four recommendations from there... I would explain more to you, but when I elaborate or post links, my comments are often blocked... Use a search engine to learn more. I hope this helps you. God bless.

[@lauragadille3384]

The grocery store is the worst for me

[@Thisismyaccount82]

I do that a lot but I have learnt to cope with my ptsd.

[@myleshardie1719]

Once I was at school and smelled a smell that triggered me and I couldn’t go back to that certain hallway, eventually I switched schools

[@sarahlamb2333]

@@lauragadille3384 I get mine delivered because of that

[@lauragadille3384]

PTSD isn't just for our vets and soldiers. Anyone can get this.

[@danavixen6274]

Exactly!

[@Thisismyaccount82]

Right. PTSD will only last for 5-6 weeks but that’s with treatment. Without treatment it can last till the client gets treatment. CPTSD (complex PTSD) is when a client has been retraumatised over and over. Someone having their house been broken into can be diagnosed with ptsd.

[@lauragadille3384]

@@Thisismyaccount82 I was just diagnosed with PTSD and never knew I had it until a month ago. I'm definitely getting help with a therapist

[@Thisismyaccount82]

@@lauragadille3384 that’s great your getting support. It will be a bumpy road but you will get there.

[@AmantraDesign]

When someone familiarises themselves with us in order to commit an act of terror; an act of war, we become the soldiers and veterans.

[@joanofarcxxi]

She is talking about just one aspect of PTSD. But PTSD manifests in so many ways. It is really difficult to grasp and to treat, and it might take years or a lifetime for a person to cope. It can flare up without any specific trigger. You can experience many symptoms, some of them subtle, and some of them bizarre. You may require hospitalization, medication, and therapy. PTSD is so complicated and devastating, that if you don't have it, you can't understand it. Only those who experience PTSD/CPTSD know how tormenting and debilitating it can be. Don't feel afraid or embarrassed to get help.

[@Gobliness_]

I have CPTSD and the part 2:07 where she talks about reassurance and saying "It's gonna be okay" every time someone says that to me, I want to kill them honestly. That sentence makes me so aggressive and mad. I absolutely HATE hearing it. And I know I'm not the only person who feels that way about that, so this is really bad advice. At least say that it differs from person to person.

[@lttlod1]

Oh I feel you! I think this Dr. is trying to be comforting in her statement however, when people say that to me it feels like I'm being gaslighted in a way. Like, you don't want to understand what's going on with me so you just say "it will be ok" and it glosses it over for them so they don't have to feel anything. All the while I'm feeling it big time! My "best friend" would say "your feelings are valid." It would send me flying off the rails inside because our conversations proved she didn't see my feelings as valid. I knew she was saying it because she just wanted to give me lip service but didn't want or know how to empathize. I think growing up with people not giving a crap about our feelings, we get very triggered by these seemingly harmless go to phrases. I just try to remember that everyone is doing the best they can and I try to comfort myself.

[@Gobliness_]

@@lttlod1 Omg yes! That's exactly what it feels like!! Sometimes it also feels like people are just trying to shut you down when you're having a bad day/moment by saying that, at least to me. Like you said, it does feel like my feelings are invalid. I hope you have other people around you who don't make you feel that way! 🖤🖤🖤

[@berthamirsky1914]

Totally understand you. I have the same reaction. Now I am meet with- you are here and you are safe. No promises of getting out of this is the best, as far as I feel. Wishing you all the best 🐣

[@lttlod1]

@@Gobliness_ Yes I've got my people and feel very blessed!!

[@sophie13.wright10]

In my experience when someone tells me that, I look at the genuineness of the person. Sometimes people just don’t get what I’m going through and that’s all they know to say or do. Then there are the people who are being condescending and inauthentic. I think those are the people who annoy me. I think that’s what’s triggering me to be angry. I wish they talked about support groups because it helps to talk to people who have an understanding of what it’s like.

[@LpsCandyofficial]

Idk if anyone else relates to this but I personally have PTSD and have been struggling for years with it. I’ve gone to two therapists and had to stop going due to the pandemic. So i have gone a long time, even before I got therapy, without anyone to talk to about these things. So watching videos like this sort of trigger me but also comfort me. I usually dissociate when I watch these because it takes me back to certain times. I eventually come back and realize I’ve missed the whole video because of it. But never have I ever snapped out of an episode because of something making me laugh so hard. The big ass lamp shade in the back caught me so off guard i couldn’t help but bust out laughing. Man whoever put that there is a legend. Thanks person

[@AmantraDesign]

Hey, yes! my c-ptsd is in remission and saving youtube vids that resonated with me in a playlist so that I could rewatch when less triggered or after releasing some of the trigger-associated trauma was very helpful. I wish you all the best on your journey to post traumatic growth. :)

[@denisealley9822]

I'm not any expert on your situation, but I went through 25+ years of talk therapy, & I got nowhere. Then covid came to play & everything shut down, & my therapist, actually closed my case, on me😑. But I see that, as something that happened, for the best. I now have tried, throughout covid though self pay and that suxs, LOL, Emdr, Brainspotting, Havenly and such.. Nothing has worked, until I went on a trip, to a retreat, (sounds weird, but it wasn't). It was a group of 9 women, with cpstd, various upbringing & lives, as adults. We had 2 Trauma Specialists, who set this up, lived it, too & their 1st 1, too, In the mountains with yoga, meditation, etc..All new to me, but Trauma Heart Centered Hypnosis. Changing my life, for the Absolute best. I fear everything, I isolated for 10 years & she called & I didn't have to "wait"=my anticipation anxiety. I was packed, on a plane & as soon as there, nobody knew me. I stayed a few days alone, then went. I came home so calm, to my triggers, too. I now do it weekly. Sometimes 2 x's a month. You do less as you heal. But that's linear. You can heal. I just believe that, ANDD my own opinion, talk therapy loops you. I almost lost my mind.. I seriously am triggered, still, by watching these videos Going onto IG, deactivated FB, bc of them. You learn what to handle..I think it Suxs, when someone tells me, "Get over it", "It's not going to be like this forever ", etc. Seriously though 😒

[@Cnsalmoni]

And there are 2 that don’t match!😂

[@shelldaniel6412]

@@denisealley9822 I wonder if you could share more about the retreat, I need something like this so bad . I don’t have therapy or people who understand or I can talk to, and don’t know how long I can even keep a job. I need help and helpers

[@fatymedabo3242]

The comments are so negative. It’s a 8 min video, of course it won’t heal your PTSD or explain the whole concept in depth. Her advice may not be adequate for your type of triggers but for some people it works..

[@kellymalicki2413]

Yes, ptsd is exhausting and scary. Thank you for sharing this encouraging and educational message ✅. Helpful. 🙏

[@mountainmama4133]

I was one of the Prolonged Exposure patients and I know it's good but it blew up in my face big time. I think it was b/c I was and am still in a dangerous situations at times. I just want to say that my trouble is from rape and decade + long stalking. I'm now suffering as a shut in. If I go out he could still be there. I tried.

[@Linda2]

That's so sad. Hugs and healing strength I pray for you 🙏

[@AmantraDesign]

Hey, I hear this...I think some therapists think that because the immediate threat isn't there, the risk has gone. I've questioned whether there needs to be a more effective screening process to decipher if someone is experiencing Acute Stress Disorder (they/or their child/ren are still in actual harms way) compared to PTSD trigger when there is no harm but a perceived threat. When framed in terms of a war veterans PTSD vs a Sexual/DV violence Stress Disorder, one can empathise that it is unlikely a war veteran will still be harmed by the same offender when they return home and when compared with sexual/DV violence where it is common for a victimised person who reports but then this doesn't results in a prosecution, and thus rehabilitation of the perp./ removal of the risk of harm, to then be at increased risk once the eyes of the law are off the situation and/or if their are children in shared care, then the child/ren might become the target of the offender to "punish" their mother. Sexual/DV violence is about power and control and without address, the perp. will continue to exert power and control. This is a very real threat and not enough is done to protect vulnerable people or diagnose accordingly. Best wishes! :)

[@annastone5624]

Totally agree!! It’s incredibly undermining to repeatedly be told that ptsd victims are feeling threats of something that’s now in the past! Therapists experienced in ptsd but who have no understanding of stalkers or violent controlling men, do this. It can really put a client in danger. I recommend the book ‘The Gift of Fear’ saved my sanity. Wish I’d read it 20 years earlier.

[@mountainmama4133]

@@annastone5624 I appreciate my therapist. She tried. The only person who investigated my claims (to prove me paranoid). She at least, called and apologized. I didn't know she was checking. She was adamant how sorry she was. In everyone's defense, it's hard to believe. That helped... just one person checking my story found out more than I know.

[@See_Life]

The issue with PTSD goes soo deep, making such videos about it kind of pointless. I love this channel and I have to be honest because the topic is too important to just be used as a commodity to attract viewers. It is sad that most psychotherapists and healers almost never address the mind control everywhere in this society, which triggers people with PTSD on a daily basis. That's in the core of this issue, the fact that we are in some ways forced to co-exist with evil. I do not consent to co-exist with evil. One day communities will be free of narcs, sociopaths and other aliens and abusers, and that is the only way people will heal from PTSD!!!

[@Jess-kn8vl]

Yes thank you I 100% agree with you. There is widespread narcisissm that triggers my PTSD!

[@See_Life]

@@Jess-kn8vl Yw! I find all the topics about ''how to recognize'' narcissism and similar much more beneficial because they actually help people to connect the dots and create neuro-mapping for exposing the issues in our society, the fact is real humans do have PTSD since we live in unnatural environment and still healing from a lot of trauma.

[@africanacity4865]

I think it was still quite informative

[@CapitanGatsby]

What are you on about? Could you explain to me what PTSD is in your words?

[@CapitanGatsby]

@@Jess-kn8vl What? I'm so confused, how does that affect your PTSD, please educate me idk what's going ooooonnnn.

[@Thisismyaccount82]

Remember the word Safe means differently to everyone.

[@Mushroom321-]

Yes!!, agreed!! 👏👏

[@littlewillowlinda]

I'm watching this after having a huge dissociative episode and crying in public and running home bc i couldn't keep going. It sucks bc now new friends have seen my panic and now I'm always going to have that first impression

[@irolygupta]

I can't imagine 'such supportive, caring and responsible parents', i said i can't even imagine.

[@DanaSimmons]

Thanks for this. I suffer from PTSD.

[@danavixen6274]

This is great. Thank you for contributing to the healing of so many. When you brought up the issue with the child who was traumatized in school, this reminded me of the troubled middle schooler I used to be. Being bullied can be dangerous. It took my loving mother's sacrifice to get me enrolled in a private school for me to graduate so I could become a high school freshman on time upon my expulsion from public middle schools. Parents and children NEED to realize bullying can cause PTSD.

[@urbanmusicgal]

Ongoing bullying can also cause C-PTSD, with permanent brain damage.

[@kimberlycoyle6865]

I have this actually...and anxiety..depression..yeah, I got it all..and I'm learning to cope with this every single day...one step at a time

[@joojimaikeru]

Proud of you ! I have all of them too (PTSD, anxiety & depression) I hope you make a fast and painless recovery

[@meganmalone4967]

You can't heal where you got sick. Sending that child back to the same school was retraumatizing her. Exposure therapy works very well but is grueling. There is peace on the other side.

[@schoolingdiana9086]

They didn’t send her back to the same school. She says several times that it was a different school.

[@ranchdubois6255]

I have PTSD. Thank you.

[@lydiaajohnson]

I was hoping for something more in-depth.

[@malkaa4287]

Your amazing med circle team thanks so much for your free video 😄

[@krystasmith7202]

The lamps in the background are a statement

[@leticiabv9580]

Ty from the bottom of my heart ❤

[@blancol4104]

This was really helpful and encouraging.

[@chathuranganijayasekera2995]

Thank goodness

[@tammyblount3910]

I have lived with Severe PTSD for over 15 years after several years of psychological as well as verbs and physical abuse. I was initially I became diagnosed after showing severe signs. The final break was having to get through a relationship with a sociopath who tried to murder me more than once, after finally taking his own life on the morning he tried getting to me and doing a murder suicide. I got out and ran down the stairs of my own apartment It took so much from me. But I never give up and always talk to God which helps.

[@valerieh5400]

I honestly think I have PTSD and probably need to seek help. I notice I get triggered and shut down when I hear loud noises, for instance slammed doors, something being dropped, any kind of verbal confrontation, screaming, arguing etc. it doesn’t even have to involve me and I’m already in a flight response. I ultimately think that growing up I just didn’t feel safe at home because my brother and mother were arguing and then I went to live with my cousin years ago, and her and her partner were doing the same thing.

[@sarahlamb2333]

When you have cptsd & going through a traumatic situation it all cycles...shut down sleep/overeating/anger in my case mainly then I remember to push through & get out walking my dog to get through high cortisol as bringing it down stops the cycles being as long or as harsh.. therapy won't work until safe

[@promisemaliwa3214]

This really hits hard,,,,,my life is no longer the same 😭😪

[@L0rdOfThePies]

I was watching a show and a character said "You're supposed to be my best friend" or something to that effect, it instantly gave me a pit in my stomach My "best friend" wouldn't let me have any other friends and would blame anything on them, she neglected me while saying i couldnt have friends and that i was supposed to be her best friend, threatening me as a child and i couldn't understand I let go of her in 2019, but i still feel broken up

[@jsmartinez07]

I love that huge lampshade, love this video too! ☺️

[@frauic1340]

interesting topic, especially the systemic approach. I would now be interested to know whether this is a new method or is practiced in American psychotherapies in particular. I don't know this overall view of all participants from the German health care system. But it makes a lot of sense.

[@MedCircle]

Did you know that June is PTSD Awareness Month? Start your free MedCircle trial NOW to get full access to our videos on PTSD with Dr. Joseph: bit.ly/3xbitha

[@acousticsoul2580]

The part about having to get therapy really made me just wanna give up because I can't afford it and to just think I'll never be healed unless is really sad for me

[@schoolingdiana9086]

Are there some cultural resources in your community? Many times, there are free group sessions. Those can be hard to go to sometimes, but it’s better than nothing.

[@delishme2]

I can't even link my triggers with an initial situation. I had years of abuse, it's like trying to untangle a huge ball of knotted fishing line.

[@gailremp8389]

Rethink the lamp... no it shouldn't matter. But that is a terrifying thing. And no PTSD. Just it's terrifying wow. Where did you find it? Was it on sale somewhere? Was it at the Goodwill?

[@marinemom7611]

I have ptsd and it isn't a happy life

[@richdiana3663]

After being trapped by a cold, narcissistic father for the first 18 yrs of my life it forced me into therapy. He never bothered to seek treatment for his PTSD from WWII as a bomb demolition expert he just bequeathed it to me.

[@meiguoren66]

I'm willing to bet that over 90% of the people that have PTSD or c-ptsd have never been anywhere near the military. I get so tired of people just blowing me off when they say what's your mental health issue when I tell them it's c-ptsd and I saved what branch of the military were you in and I say I wasn't too then they just look out the window like what?

[@soniasamivillin743]

But what if your triggers are family members? :/ So far I've decided to take a step back and work on myself but I'd love to be able to see them again without being triggered and mentally destroyed.

[@keirenstanden4577]

In uk it’s very hard to get on nhs waiting list for therapy on not affordable.

[@marcellasanchez497]

I feel like my behavior changes I act careless and put myself in bad situations my therapist told me I have ptsd but I tried looking up behavior changes and found nothing is this a symptom?

[@steviewilkes9506]

What if you do not have a therapy partner ? I have a couple friends on the opposite coast but know one here and my sister does not care to even be kind she does the opposite and damages me more

[@djjay-kay7636]

Exposure therapy, when done successfully, is like a real-life reframing of trauma association.

[@VoMFilms]

I wish mum had taken me, I wish she hadent seen me as the kid that didn't go through it. Now im the one who is struggling, and my sibling is doing better.

[@dianacrow7509]

Did you happen to incorporate DBT, as well?

[@dianacrow7509]

I ask bc, in my experience...DBT gave me coping skills allowing room for self esteem. A tool box full of tools, is most helpful. Thank you F~false E~evidence A~appearing R~real

[@paschetime787]

The sad part is you have to have supports to help …. God bless us all.

[@MrFire4effect]

I'm ok 😪

[@lauravgo]

hi guys :)

[@lupiewarrioritaliano7386]

I wish you were my doc.

[@auntieshugah9330]

👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@hadi-br5qy]

I suffer from ptsd

[@TrystonTX]

When?

[@sallylara1102]

Aghhhhhhh PTSD is the worst 😞

[@lauragadille3384]

Not all exposure works. Sorry I don't want to go back to my sexual assault for exposure therapy. No ty.

[@L0rdOfThePies]

Haha my parents said horrible shit to me and used the excuse that it was "exposure therapy"

[@LightintheDark2056]

👍💖

[@thomasrehder613]

The pain that comes with ptsd is not good and I've had bad experience with doctors abusing me with pills I've deviopled severe fear if docters would of just listened instead of throwing me pils I would be half way better by now..but now I feel like I dieing due to klonopin withdrwals who does thus shit to people I was in a explosion I survived that just t come hometo be poisoned to death

[@judyjudy01985yahoo]

As a young child not only was I physically and mentally abused but sex I ended up leaving my home that I was brought up in with my cousin and his wife she was horribly abusive mentally physically I know that I was between the age of four and seven and the sexual abuse happened it’s funny a Catholic priest will come down try to get me to go into his car I remember the smell of the cigar I would literally run into the woods hiding having dreams not being able to breathe hyperventilating I had epilepsy it was never treated properly I was actually told that I had learning disabilities dyslexia I had a severe head trauma a horse fell on top of me I went into a Rockwall the cousin took me back to his house I was ashamed I thought I broke the leg of the horse because they were so much blood that disgusting cousin‘s wife made me sit in the kitchen I kept blacking out and coming to my neurologist said why didn’t they call the ambulance do you have the right to sue the homeowners insurance you could’ve corrected your surgery from birth that you needed for your epilepsy the fact of the matter is these people embezzled my mothers estate my father‘s estate that was left to me. The Boston Attorney General‘s office is willing to take the case but every time I go through the paperwork I end up in severe convulsions. Age 7 going to a counselor being asked what do I wish would stop happening my cousins wife would put me in a car put me in the woods and make me stay in there telling me that men were going to come and do terrible things to me we’re talking multi millions of dollars not only in houses Fidelity investments I’m just taking the property is telling me because they were my power of attorney they had the right to do so I keep asking my friends to help me with the paperwork I wish I could find an attorney that could just help me so I didn’t have to see the paperwork anymore I never understood why I had such trouble in school I am a very intelligent woman I have numerous license for many things what did I do growing up the love of animals horses helping children was always a huge thing I actually ended up on the news in Boston because I was donating working dogs that were used for police protection etc. the idea of somebody molesting a child was something very severe a woman being in an abusive relationship just meant to me that a child was going to be abused yet again I did this for a very long time it was a sense of relief when I saw the woman when I saw the child placing them in with puppies and with adult dogs I knew deep down inside nobody was going to get near these people education this is what you do this is how you train if you need help, I will do it for free now that I’m completely handicapped I carry such guilt it’s absolutely ridiculous I cannot protect anybody else and this is where my problems come from Encanto counseling from the age of seven literally had counselors come to my home I actually had three children I spoil them so much but I always explained you have a new carriage of toys we have to donate these because they’re a children that are not treated well they do not have toys clothing food or a good family life it’s funny because my children grew up two out of three working in the mental health field dealing with abused kids adults very sadly they have to work with those gross sexual people that can’t go out in public but I would say more than half were severely abused I have been going through childhood abuse childhood trauma PTSD as well as CPTSD not one therapist ever explained any of this to me as a young child I felt as though nobody believed me even though I explained what I could remember as well as the abuse that I was going through at the time wealthy people can cover things up they need to have more programs for children in school I wish more people donated working dogs to battered women and children once an animal loves their family they can be taught every single thing that is needed sit stay lay down protection barking at hold in front of children and adult the word of release the word of attack It’s funny because when a canine knows that there’s something wrong it’s like they can smell Fear just like when you’re having seizures before you have a seizure they actually can save your life I aspirate on my vomit if it was not for my dog I would be dead I was so neurotic about my children purchasing my first dog watching the professional training paying $5000 a month just to know that my kids could play and I didn’t have to worry about somebody going near them that’s how I got into what I did remember abuse physical mental sexual does put you into this don’t be afraid to ask somebody if they’re a breeder of working dogs I suggest German shepherds I know woman that was from Massachusetts that did donations to help abuse people would you be willing to help my family there is no shame not many people are going to be able to come up with $5000 I purchase dogs from all over the place I was very particular I hope this helps you

[@beccabean5770]

O.42s ...Wait, she never actually mentioned triggers. Only reactions to being triggered.

[@ralfwashington1502]

Maybe ask your loved one what to say during a triggering moment. I absolutely HATE hearing "this is a safe space" or anything with the word "safe" in it. Or the obvious one's "relax, calm down, chill out". Any other time it's just annoying but don't say this when I'm down and out.

[@jay8992]

Everyone. Can. Benefit. From. Therapy. Yes. Yes. Yes.

[@heatherlee9880]

“Does that make sense?” No. She makes no sense. What a crank.

[@heatherlee9880]

Can’t finish this. She knows nothing.