I hate what's happened to the word "triggered" because a lot of people are Not very good at realizing when they're having a PTSD response and end up lashing out at strangers on the internet about it and even when you recognize that this is happening to someone else there is not a lot of language that can allow you to compassionately make them aware of what's happening without sounding like you're accusing them of being irrational and flipping out over nothing
If a text post makes you feel like your blood is rushing in your ears, you feel your gut drop, you get so angry you have a Physical Response, that is not normal. Do NOT respond by typing an angry comment. Take a second and breathe and ask yourself if this feeling is originating from somewhere elseā is this post about a topic you find upsetting? Does it remind you of someone you have a difficult history with? Are you remembering or feeling things that don't immediately connect to the post or its contents?
It is easy quick and simple to go "OP is DANGEROUSLY WRONG and I have to tell them why RIGHT NOW" but when you're having a PTSD response you are in an altered state of mind. There is a real risk that you aren't reading the post correctly, that you've missed words or phrases or context. Leaving a comment and starting an argument with stranger is also not going to make you feel betterā the reply may trigger you again, in fact, and if you were inflammatory you might have triggered the same response in the OP.
Try to take a second and breathe. You don't have to keep scrolling afterwards, some things are worth challenging, but make sure you know what's going on in your own head and the effect you might have on other people. Take care of yourself and take care of your community. And press a cool wet towel to your face it helps.











