YOU ARE NOT ALONE - A companion online community discussion board for The Mental Illness Happy Hour podcast with Paul Gilmartin

I was stretching my wrists while working and I felt a pull in my wrists which triggered a memory from my adolescence. I stretched it too much as a teenager one day and my wrist was locked. I was fearful because I couldn't get it unlocked and the only parent concerned and trying to curb my fear was my mother. My father didn't seem at all concerned and was actually annoyed that it was happening. My question is does this type of memory trigger have a specific name and is there a type of therapy incorporating these type of triggers that can be used in a therapy session to work through trauma? I hope this made sense. Thank you for your time.

I'd answer: "D - all of the above."

I guess if we're talking trauma, you could call it memories, triggers or flashbacks. My triggers are either waves of fear and discomfort or shame-based flashbacks. When a shameful memory is triggered, it can be is so intense, I have to disguise my shame by rubbing my eyebrows/nose, but other times it's so intense, I actually cover my face with both my hands in the middle of the supermarket/street, even if it's a memory from first grade.

After spending Christmas on my own for many years, this year I visited my parents for the holidays, while they were looking after my small nephews/nieces, I noticed my mother's constant attempt to get their attention/affirmation and my father constant annoyance and frustration. I felt like, I got an outside glimpse into my own early childhood. I felt great unease, but I also feel that, some of my early and insecure memories was confirmed and validated.

CBT and group therapy has been very beneficial for me, I don't know, if I've work through it all, but I've become better at identifying and understanding what happens, when my thoughts and feelings are triggered and starts snowballing. It's not always possible to control my anxiety, sometimes I can sooth and decrease it, few times I stop it. A big difference is, I no longer lash out in anger at myself for freezing up or being controlled by fear. I now understand why I do this and that makes a big difference to me.

Best of luck CR.