SIGNS THE ANCHOR IS NEUTRALIZED
These are some common signs that we are no longer in a regressed (triggered) state.
- I feel sense of relief, like a weight or burden has been lifted, a subtle release, or a pleasant peaceful lightness.
- Joy, laughter, and my sense of humor return.
- Fear is gone. I feel safe. I feel like I can keep myself safe.
- My voice returns to its normal tone and volume.
- I feel empowered and realize I have choices.
- Boundary setting occurs naturally, easily and organically out of clarity rather than fear.
- I set boundaries (healthy limits) around my own behavior, instead of trying to change the behavior of other people.
- I do not feel a need to communicate my boundaries to others.
- Cravings disappear
- A feeling of connection returns (connection to myself, others, and something bigger).
- A new, positive story seems more believable now.
- I can appreciate and utilize logic and reason.
- Confusion, uncertainty and doubt are gone.
- Clarity and decisiveness return.
- I intuitively know how to handle situations.
- I know what the next right thing to do is.
- I clearly see what is true now and can respond appropriately.
The filter of the past is gone.
- The appropriate response feels right instead of uncomfortable, wrong or wildy inappropriate.
- I might even see how I was projecting a trait of my own onto someone else or recognize how I have done the exact same behavior myself, in the past.
SIGNS THE ANCHOR IS NOT NEUTRALIZED
Developing awareness of when we are triggered is essential for breaking the cycle of trauma.
You can review common physical, mental and emotional signs of being triggered on the triggered reactions page.
It is most often hindsight that teaches us what our individual signs are.
Over time we become aware of increasingly more subtle signs.
If I still feel off in any way, after using a neutralizing technique -
even just a tiny bit off (unsafe, disturbed, uncertain, etc) -
then I know the anchor is not completely neutralized.
To fully neutralize my triggered reaction, I need to neutralize the underlying anchor (unresolved past trauma).
I can use another neutralizing technique or plug a deeper layer (another angle/aspect) into the same technique.
I have seen people feel much calmer after de-escalating their triggered reaction and regaining some access to their prefrontal cortex
and mistake that for being neutral.
But I can still hear a shrill, sharp, or harsh edge to their voice, and
I can tell they are still seeing the current situation through the lens of a past trauma.
A big clue to me that someone is still triggered, is if they want to create a new rule
or set a boundary around someone else's behavior so they will feel safe.
That means they do not feel safe, and they want to control others.
Boundaries are meant to be set internally, around our own behavior.
When I no longer have a desire to even tell another person what my boundaries are,
then I know I am not triggered anymore.
The only person, who really needs to know and understand my boundaries, is me.
I will still feel victimized and act accordingly, until I have resolved the past trauma
(in which I was a real victim).
When we know the signs that we are triggered and understand that resolving trauma
involves neutralizing our reaction to a past trauma,
not just to the current sitn, then we are less likely to make the mistake
of thinking we are neutral when we are not.
SECONDARY TRIGGERS
Once we are triggered about something, we become more triggerable.
If I find myself getting triggered by something that normally
would not bother me that much (or at all),
that is a sign that I was already triggered about something else,
and this is a secondary trigger.
I try to figure out when the original trigger happened and what it was.
Then I focus on neutralizing the anchor.
Secondary triggers tend to vanish as soon as the primary trigger is
recognized and the primary anchor is neutralized.
Disclaimers
The content on this website is for informational purposes only.
This website does not contain medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
The information on this website is not meant be used as a substitute for professional guidance from a doctor or other qualified healthcare provider.
References do not imply endorsement of any of the referenced person or entity's other material, ideas, beliefs, actions, or behaviors.
