One of my big triggers lately has been work – my work environment. I am attempting to change my work environment by drastically changing hours, which should help, but physically being in the building and “doing what I do”… triggers me. I work at a call center that helps deaf and hard of hearing people talk on the phone.
I know some of the reasons I feel triggered at work is because I believe my job is unstable. The management has gone through a lot of changes lately and many people who have worked there for years and years and years have either gotten new jobs, have quit all together, or just been straight out fired. I am afraid to mess up, which makes me anxious, which decreases my overall work performance — which then puts my job in jeopardy.
I know work is one of my major triggers and I don’t want to continue hurting myself there, which I unfortunately have gone back to doing. I am ashamed to say it, but I actually self-injure at work sometimes and that bothers me greatly. I will use whatever I have on hand to hurt myself, but not taking ANYTHING to work that could hurt me would be out of the question (anything can be a tool for me).
Does anyone have any suggestions on how to continue to work through my triggers at work? I just feel very out of control when I am there – I don’t know how else to explain it. I have things to do to keep my hands busy (crochet and my writing notebook). I am thinking about bringing in Impulse Logs and working through those too, as I am not ashamed at all of working those in public or wherever I am! They are there to help me, not hurt me.
Does anyone else have trouble with their place of employment being one of their biggest triggers? If so, how do you cope without hurting yourself?
Welcome to the board. I have a very hard time at work. The people i work with aren’t the greatest to work around. They are very negative and always talk about things they shouldn’t (i’m sure this happens in all work places not just mine about how they talk about things they shouldn’t). I get very triggered at work. I work at a petsmart pets hotel so i am always cleaning or running doggie day camp. But i always try to think of other things like playing with the dogs. I usually throw a ball against the wall if im with the big dogs b/c they love to play ball. Otherwise i remove myself from the people i am around. I’m not sure where you stand in religion but i try and pray about what is going on and tell God how i am feeling sometimes i feel better and dont want to cut but other times i just have to snap a rubber band around my wrist. Also when i get a break i take a walk over to the panera next door just to have fresh air and get a water or iced tea. I’m not sure what you work setting is but the best thing for me to do that isnt very noticeable is to wear a rubber band and snap it. Maybe try that it may not work for you just a suggestion. I am here everday if you need to talk more. Hope this helps.
Liz
the first time i hert myself i was at a desc at my summer job. and evry summer i sit there trying my best to resis that earg, i found my self doing it in one of my classes to. i dont leave its rair im alone when i givein. but last summer some how i resisted threw the hole thing 9 to 5, 5 days aweek i was verry proud. as liz sed the rubber band thing dose help me but i like to make up little games with myself, and give myself little rewards, like if i log in this pile of invoices befor 12oclock then i can have a pice of cereal frome my pirce or a drink of the ice tea in my water bottle. i spend so much of my thought trying to beat the clock and craving the ice tea and cereal i ferget about my earge…i dont know what you would be fisiclay doing at your job but this not only helped me fight my triggers but i actualy got a rase, for geting so much done… maybe it will work for you to …
i know u have the strangth, i hope u find the way that helps you fight this
Hey Liz or somebody, I need someone to talk to. My IM Chelsea283. Can someone IM me, I need some help.
I’ve found that workplace stress can be very triggering if management is always hovering around. I worked for years within the professional setting of an local government office and found it difficult to not self injury while there. Much like you, i’d use anything that I could get my hands on if I felt the need was great. Fortuntely, I also developed other ways of relieving my tension around the workplace. Going for a fast walk or run during breaks to get rid of the built up anxiety of being trapped behind a desk dealing with other people’s problems, seemed to help alot. Bringing an MP3 or ipod for your favourite “get away from it all tunes” during break time of course can be a relaxing destressor. Spend some time thinking about different ways to separate yourself from your work throughout the day within hurting yourself or your job security. You’ll find that you’ll be more productive, more relaxed and the hours will just disappear faster. Good luck!