66 Triggered memories ( continued )
TO THE TRAINER
PART II : THE TRAINING
Aim . To confirm that the group understands triggering of trauma reactions and what activates it .
Write down the trauma-reminders and identify triggers or triggering events on a flip chart . ( For more information , see Section 1 of Part III ( especially pages 128-130 ) on trauma-related stimuli .)
Use Figure 4 ( The Butterfly Woman experiences triggers and flashbacks some time after the trauma ) to show how objects and situations that resembled her trauma activated her responses during the original event . For example , draw something ( a soldier ) that triggered a flashback in the Butterfly Woman . Then draw a line from the reminder ( the soldier ) to her left ear , through a trauma memory , and then into her body , head , heart , legs and arms . Explain how the memory affects her thoughts , her feelings , and her physical sensations .
DISCUSSION
Discussion . Describe your experience of working with survivors .
Ask the participants to reflect on what triggered trauma reactions in the Butterfly Woman . Ask them to clarify their thinking by drawing on their own experiences .
• What activates bad memories ?
• Why are bad memories activated ?
• What helps a survivor to cope ?
Ask the participants to talk about their own experiences of working with survivors of GBV , using the questions above .
Add to the flip chart new trauma-reminders or triggering events the participants mention . ( For more information , refer to Helping the helpers , in Section 5 of Part III .) Discuss the list with the participants .
KEY POINT
The story and the discussion show that
• Many incidents in your life may be triggers or trauma reminders that recall bad memories .
• Flashbacks may occur suddenly and unexpectedly .