Colorado Tragedies

[grace5555]

Is anyone else getting triggered by the shootings in Colorado? I guess maybe it is just the church connections that are causing me to crumble but between that, assault anniversies, and flying to family soon I feel me falling and can't seem to grab hold anywhere to stop it. I can't fall apart now, I just can't...

Grace

[She Cat]

That one isn't bothering me. But the report today out of Australia and the 10 yr old little girl that was gang raped by 9 boys and they got OFF with out any punishment....Sent me into a crying fit for about an hour. Just not acceptable IMO!!!!!!

Sometimes the news is so frigging depressing, and yet I am a news junkie....

[baileysemt]

The VT shootings triggered me this past spring... hang in there, just ride the wave, it will pass. I promise :) it will pass !!!!!!!

*hug*

:) Bailey

[hodge]

I was triggered by the VT shootings, also, and had a thread on it here. This one bothers me, too, but I'm purposely trying to not read much about it. Try to occupy your mind with positive things. Bailey's right - it will pass.

[batgirl]

Shootings? There were more shootings? That's awful. I actually don't follow the news, that is the way I protect myself from this stuff.

[hodge]

Evie, I don't know how much you know, but there was one at a missionary training site and a second at a megachurch Sunday, both in Colorado, same shooter at both. But no more shootings than those. Ish, hope I didn't make you feel worse.

[batgirl]

No that's okay Hodge, I chose to write in here and I asked. I didn't know anything about it to be honest. Glad its over with though. I try to avoid hearing about that stuff because obviously being shot is the cause of my PTSD. I can still feel the physical pain and the terror, and it seems to come on if I ever watch the news. Hearing about it on a forum isn't quite as bad as long as there are no details.

Seriously though Grace, I really don't watch the news ever. To stay somewhat informed, I search topics I am interested in and read online. That way I can take a break whenever I need to. I never watch the TV news anymore. Too much information all at once. And so much of the news is so depressing and triggering. I really have felt a lot better in general since I quit watching it... ignorance really is bliss in some cases!

[grace5555]

Evie,

I am so sorry - I should have thought before I posted as has been pointed out around this forum lately.

Forgive me, please,
Grace

[grace5555]

Aww, hell - now it looks like I am looking for reassurance...open mouth, insert foot...Just ignore it all, please...

[Kathy]

No worries Grace, I know Evie very well, and honestly she would not have posted in here if she were triggered. As she mentioned, she chose to post and freely asked for the information. Additionally, you are permitted to post topics of all kinds here, as long as they fit within forum guidelines. Everyone here is an adult and has the option to read or not read.

[Linda]

I was.
It just felt as it is unsafe to go ahywhere unless you are in a bullet-proof car, with a machine gun and body-guards.
But it was only a feeling, pretty strong and bad in the beginning, though. But as Baileysempt mentioned right - it will pass.

[batgirl]

Grace, please don't worry, like I said I chose to write in here and a little bit of exposure / triggering is actually good for me. That's why I say I usually read about the news online in short bursts rather than have it all thrown at me on TV. Linda, I know what you mean, I've had that feeling you are describing. I don't seem to get it from these shootings stories though, even though I was shot. I think it's partially because they are happening in a foreign country. I don't live in the USA. When there were gang shootings in Toronto last Christmas, that frightened and triggered me... and some other shootings in Montreal I believe? But I've actually blocked those out and don't remember the details. Something about having it happen in a different country makes it not quite as "real" for me.

[Linda]

Evie, I thing you are right about worrying less about what is happening in the foreign country. What scares me after such news is recognising that you can be unsafe anywhere: in school, in mall, even in church. What makes me angry is that government does not take appropriate measures to increase the safety. I am keep telling to myself that I am safer than many people around the world and in the US, and will be in even safer place soon. But still pretty anxious, alert, angry and, most of all, scared for several days after hearing something like this.
Take good care,
Linda

[grace5555]

Thank you, everyone for your gracious and caring responses...I know it is not an easy topic. Evie, thanks for understanding.

I have a bit of a hard time knowing what is appropriate and what is not and I am feeling so exposed. I've posted more on here the last few days and everyone has been so kind and there has been no negative incidents, but I am in that "unsafe" place and just feel like I am drowning.

I am sorry if I seem "needy" or anything - I don't mean to give off that aura but I am spiraling and can't seem to stop it.

Thanks for listening, everyone,
Grace

[grace5555]

And Kathy? Thanks for understanding and explaining. Hurting another is the last thing I want to do on here.

Grace

[cactus_jack]

It's a bit more touchy for me as I live in Colorado. And the guy that was shot by the security guard also had PTSD. So all it does it makes it easier for the government to place more restrictions on folks like us. As for the shooter, there's a lot of details in that case that the general public doesn't have and quite frankly, none of you are ready for. The sad part is this is what we face anytime an election comes up. This is how desperate the politicians are in passing laws. They take advantage of the innocent and ill.

Enuff said.

[baileysemt]

but I am spiraling and can't seem to stop it.

Grace, when I spiral, I feel like I can't control or stop it either. You're not alone.

:) Bailey

[grace5555]

CJ,

Frankly, I find it condescending for you to state that there are details of this that we on this forum are not ready for. You do not know my history or my trauma and cannot speak to whether I am ready for those details. I know those details quite well.

[cactus_jack]

Oh well. Live with it. If you know them then apparently it doesn't include you.

Suffice it to say that we all know the media is going to distort the facts, no matter the real truth.

[grace5555]

You have no call to know what does or does not involve me so you live with it.

[becvan]

That is quite enough.

CJ, eluding to some conspiracy and then stating that "none of you are ready for" was rather rude. Either share the information or don't. Telling another member to "live with it" when that member is quite obviously struggling with this topic was uncalled for.

It is also obvious that you are struggling with the same incident. Rather than have a pissing match over who this is more touchy for, why not try to reach out and help each other through it.

The same goes for you too Grace. Despite the rudeness.. look underneath. I see two sufferers, being triggered and biting each other's heads off.. instead of doing what this forum was meant for.

bec

[cactus_jack]

That is quite enough.

CJ, eluding to some conspiracy and then stating that "none of you are ready for" was rather rude. Either share the information or don't. Telling another member to "live with it" when that member is quite obviously struggling with this topic was uncalled for.
Ok, I'll let it fly. The young man was on medication. Did the media mention that? Can't say I recall that. Is that an issue? Since from what I know of him he and his family have disputed these meds, but it's a requirement by the school (which I don't recall the name of) for him to be there. Are you guys ready for that? No. I know this too well Bec because I am in the very same situation. I have seen doctors, and they say there are no meds for my problem, that CBT is the way to go, so what happens? I'm told to go to more doctors to find WHAT medications will help.

I am going through the same crap that young man went through. He didn't need meds, and when they got him on them, look what came of it. He flipped out. People died. HE died.

It is also obvious that you are struggling with the same incident. Rather than have a pissing match over who this is more touchy for, why not try to reach out and help each other through it.
Am I struggling with it? Not really. I am struggling through the same mess he went through before he died, though. Grace and others, I have to ask how this affects them. Do they know him? Do they know the intimate details of his case? Do they live near by? That is what I fail to understand- how can anyone be traumatized by this when they have no ties or relation to it? That's where I start making enemies Bec, because I see people making something out of what I view as nothing. No ties or relation, no impact. It could be that I simply see it as different. But in the end, it's no one's business. And yes there's a lot more that is still no one's business and you can ban me if you want, because no one's gonna get it.

That is information no one needs. It's none of Grace's or anyones business. You think that's rude Bec? Exactly. It's very rude of those that have nothing to do with it to have a need for such details. It's called privacy. And until I find enough reason for Grace to validate her need for this info, I think she's nosy and it's none of her business.. And Bec I think it's rude of you to say what you said. Was I rude? Not then though I am now. Don't like the truth?

[veiled]

Bec, said this was quite enough and it is.

CJ, it is obvious this is triggering you due to you feel you are in the same boat.

How does it effect others? It effects them because they have PTSD. Many opt to not watch the news because reading and seeing bloodshed triggers their symptoms too. The fear is triggered and fear is a major component of PTSD. If you have PTSD you do not have to be in close proximity, have ties, or relations to him. For many simply it means the world is unsafe and that they could be hurt anywhere. It can make them ill and triggers them because of this.

It would not heavily effect "normal" people because it is just another news story and blow it off. Having PTSD many people are not capable of that. That is what makes PTSD what it is.

If privacy were such a huge issue for a dead person then you would not have come on to say I know things. Common sense dictates most people would say really? What? It seems to me if this was the end result of someone in our shoes you would want to let people know so people are once again made aware of what this does to people and how far it drives them.

I am closing the thread as I agree with bec, it has simply turned into a pissing match.