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What should you do if a loved one talking about their traumatic experience makes you feel uncomfortable ?

Profile: Katheryn
Katheryn on May 14, 2015
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I think in that situation it can be really rough. They're you're loved one, so you want to support them; however, they are also making you uncomfortable and could possibly trigger you. I'd say the best thing to do would be to talk to them about it and gently let them know that as much as you care about them, talking about this with them is something that you can't do at the moment. You can tell them that you can be there for them in other ways. Having a discussion about why you are uncomfortable might help them to understand and hopefully not put you in that position anymore , without ruining your relationship and still being able to support each other.
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Profile: Kimberly42
Kimberly42 on Apr 21, 2015
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If it's making me uncomfortable, I ask myself why, and then go from there. "Can I stay in this chat? Can I become comfortable?" If it is an obvious trigger for me, I will gently and swiftly refer them to someone else, being careful not to shame them.
Profile: TheFilipinoHeart
TheFilipinoHeart on Aug 10, 2015
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Tell him immediately that you do not want this conversation anymore. He must respect that if he loves you.
Profile: LauraMSW87
LauraMSW87 on Sep 7, 2015
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The best thing you can do is to steer them away from providing graphic details of the situation as they can be triggering to you. Discuss what s/he is doing for him/herself to manage flashbacks/memories/difficult emotions/ other symptoms. Ask about therapy. If they're already in therapy, ask if they've discussed (insert specific conversation topic) with the therapist, and what helpful responses has the therapist provided thus far? Ask how you can be helpful at that moment? You may even offer distractions such as an offer to go somewhere together, watch a movie, etc. It can be really difficult to say, "I can't handle discussing this topic in detail," though it may be helpful to find a way to say this to the person that is both gentle and firm. Remember to use "I" statements and to avoid making statements that are judgmental or shaming.
Profile: olimaar
olimaar on Oct 27, 2015
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Talk to your loved one about how you feel. If they love you, than they will understand how you feel. Try to find a new person for them to talk to.
Profile: Anonymous
Anonymous on Dec 29, 2015
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Don't let them know about it and be as empathic as possible. It's hard to talk about something like that, so if they do, it mean they trust you.
Profile: Anonymous
Anonymous on Dec 31, 2015
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Just support them but listening to them can trigger you so just tell them that you care about them and that you will always be there for them. Tell them gently that if they talk about this, it is making you feel uncomfortable and they will surely understand
Profile: beautifulGrace82
beautifulGrace82 on Feb 29, 2016
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Continue to listen patiently and lovingly anyway, regardless of your feelings about the event, person or surrounding circumstances.
Profile: Anonymous
Anonymous on Sep 20, 2016
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Give them a chance to talk and then be honest about how it makes you feel. Be understanding, but firm that maybe they should go to someone else.
Profile: Happy2help4u
Happy2help4u on Nov 6, 2017
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You should really try to listen to them as you don't know how much effort it has took for them to feel they can confide in you. If the experience is something you have no experience in helping with then look up and suggest advice lines for them even offer to be there at first for support
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