Communicating Your Needs To Your Partner When You Have Trauma Sounds Like| Dr Manju Antil| Wellnessnetic Care ~ Dr Manju Antil (Counselling Psychologist and Psychotherapist)

Here in this article, we are going to explore Communicating Your Needs To Your Partner When You Have Trauma Sounds Like...

1. It takes a long time for me to trust people I don't know, including my friends. Could we meet them 1-on-1 first instead of jumping into a big group meeting at the start?

2. Sometimes my brain makes me believe that no one loves or understands me. When this happens, can you reassure me that you do? I'd appreciate it but please be honest if I get overbearing too.

3. My history of sexual trauma makes intimacy a little bit harder for me. I still do want to do it with you, but can we take it at a pace I'm comfortable with and establish a safe word so we can stop at any time?

4. When you use that tone and those words, it does remind me of my parents and how they used to mistreat me. Is it okay if we stop using those words from now on?

5. I was hurt in the past so my nervous system sees everything as a threat -- I may lash out at you over small things. I am working on it but when that happens, can you give me a minute to reflect and remind me that it's okay?

6. That particular smell and sound bring back memories of a past, bad incident. I know I can't avoid it but is it okay if we take it slow in helping me get used to it?

7. I may dissociate or have panic attacks whenever I encounter certain triggers. If this happens, could you help me by bringing me to a safe spot and practising some grounding techniques with me?

8. I do worry about losing you because I lost someone else in the past. Is it okay if we establish a regular schedule for letting each other know where we are and slowly ease off over time?