justaprinceofthegalaxy:

The thing about anxiety and panic disorders is that you usually know exactly how irrational your fears and triggers are. Typically, you’re completely aware that many of the things you fear happening are simply impossible. Yet you’re still terrified out of your mind, unable to shake off that sinking feeling as the thought of it comes back again and again.

Three years later, and tbh it’s still relevant.

I swear, my list of diagnoses is getting so long it may as well be a shopping list.

“Honey, I’m going to the store, do you need anything?”

“Oh, yeah! Can you get a couple packages of depression, and maybe a carton of anxiety? Also, if there’s a good price on them, pick up a pound of panic attacks. They’re in season right now, aren’t they?”

People who complain about have to trigger warning their posts make me really mad, honestly. And they usually give some ridiculous argument like,

“Well you can’t trigger warning real life so stop being sensitive and get used to it.”

But that’s just silly.
Yes you can. I do it every day just to keep me healthy and safe.

I wear earplugs at robotics competitions and other loud, crowded places because that level of loudness triggers my migraines and anxiety.

I avoid certain movies, shows, and books because I know they will set off my anxiety or PTSD.

I cut certain people out of my life if I know they say harmful things or make jokes at the expense of others, or they are associated with someone that caused me to have PTSD in the first place.

I make small adjustments all around my life because triggers are a legitimate concern to my safety. Being exposed to my triggers can cause me migraines, panic attacks, anxiety, or even trigger my syncope, as well as other unsavory side effects.

So when I ask you to tag your triggers, I’m not doing it to have you help me not see something that is mildly uncomfortable to me, I’m doing it because I expect you to take three seconds to help me stay safe in a place that’s much harder to avoid my triggers than in “real life”.

Fun Fact: My migraines are getting worse lately, and I’m not allowed to take painkillers for them.

I’m starting to get really paranoid because it’s only a matter of time before I have an anxiety attack from my migraines. I haven’t had one at school since May, and I’m hoping to keep it that way.

Stressing over this isn’t helping my anxiety, though.

Help.