Triggers can be events, situations, sensory memories and /or circumstances that remind the partner of the betrayal; they send warning signals you might be in danger. Triggers can reflect a real or imagined threat but foremost are a learned response to the original trauma of discovery. Your feelings are overwhelming and often lead to acting in ways that are only hurtful to yourself or others. We explain what happens in a triggering moment and try to normalize such a reaction. At the same time we offer a variety of distraction strategies, imageries and grounding statements to lessen the emotional intensity and reactivity. Managing triggers may be one of the most challenging of all tasks in early recovery, and consequently it is pivotal to a partner’s recovery work. This is something that takes time, but realizing what is happening when it is happening is a start and quickly trying to identify and employ strategies to calm what is a trauma response will bring comfort to you at this incredibly painful time.
This blog post was written by Claudia Black, author of the book, Intimate Treason – Healing the Trauma for Partners Confronting Sex Addiction.