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BrokenheartedUK posted 7/31/2014 13:53 PM

At the end of next month I'm going to be at the start of several big dates that I'm 100% sure will be mega triggers for me so I have that fresh hell to look forward to! Anyway, we are trying really hard to keep things on track and I'm worried that these dates will derail that (and so frankly is my therapist).

What does your spouse do to help talk you off the ledge? I've worked so hard and my BS is trying but I think we could use some suggestions as to how he can help me, because if he wasn't so emotionally retarded he wouldn't have had an affair in the first place. Duh.

steadfast1973 posted 7/31/2014 14:12 PM

Usually... He's pretty good. Even recognizing triggers as they happen. We talk through it... Why it was a trigger, how I feel about it, etc.

FeelingMN posted 7/31/2014 14:57 PM

My triggers make me feel crazy, I hate them and hate how I feel when they happen. What I like to hear mostly is that FWW understands why I'm having a trigger. It validates me that I'm not actually crazy and it's ok that I'm having a trigger.

Sometimes I just need to talk it through and let her know something is triggering me. If it's something that she can do or not do then hopefully she makes that choice.

needfriendshere posted 7/31/2014 15:47 PM

Good question! My H has planned a vacation for us on the one-year anniversary of Dday (Valentine's Day). We both know that day is going to be rough for me since I was the one who discovered his A.

As for other triggers, when they hit spontaneously (like seeing or hearing something that triggers memories or brings pain), he can tell by looking at me and hugs me tight. When I have a nightmare, he will talk to me until I can go back to sleep. Last night was one of those nights and we talked until his alarm went off for work. He really has been quite wonderful...

BrokenheartedUK posted 7/31/2014 20:29 PM

That's great to hear. Thank you and all further responses welcome!

Morhurt posted 7/31/2014 20:47 PM

I'm in year two so I've been through all the significant dates. For me, the anticipated triggers tend to affect me less than the ones I'm not expecting.
What has worked for us with known trigger dates (places etc) is to talk a lot about them beforehand and have a thorough plan. I'm not sure what type of triggers you're anticipating but I'll give you some examples of things that we did last year.
1. Anniversary: it was two months after final DDay and I was a mess. H had to work and planned a whole day at the spa for me and dinner out. He texted me all day. It was still hard but his thoughtfullness helped a lot.
2. His birthday (I discovered an EA on his bday): we went out for lunch together, I made him a cake (stupid EAAP bought him one last year) and we had a nice family dinner. He also took the afternoon off and we talked and he listened (kids were at school)
3. Actual DDay: he stayed close by and available (while at work) and kept in close contact. Lots of talking and hugging and remorse.
I don't know if those type of things help at all. For me it's the plan itself that calms me down, and discussing in advance with H helps me feel supported and safe.
I hope yours end up being easier than you anticipate. :)

NaiveAgain posted 7/31/2014 20:55 PM

Mine holds me, comforts me, tells me he is sorry, and listens to anything I have to say. He will tell me that he is here for me, talk things thru with me, and tell me he loves me. The most important part for me, I think, is feeling validated and that he cares.

[This message edited by NaiveAgain at 8:56 PM, July 31st (Thursday)]

Scubachick posted 7/31/2014 21:06 PM

Mine doesn't help me really. He thinks I want to fight when I tell him something triggered me. Then he "reminds" me that I shouldn't let OW control my life. Nice huh? He thinks that is support.

rachelc posted 7/31/2014 21:19 PM

there is nothing he can do but say he's sorry. it doesn't help. i feel it's all up to me now to overcome triggers.
He can comfort me all he wants. IT doesn't take what happened away.

YooperLady posted 8/1/2014 20:38 PM

I don't say anything about triggers. Should I?