How and why does triggering work?

[Cupoteap]

Just that really. Someone close is having a tough period. I feel it's having a negative effect on me, or is it just that it cracks open the box I'm trying to keep tightly shut?

It's taking your mind back to a similar experience. Can you distance yourself as much as possible from this person. Have you had counselling yourself?

No I've not, I've just started on ad again and had to change due to a bad reaction to one I used to be fine with.

It's my boyfriends daughter so can't really say don't talk to as I'm his only support

It's my boyfriends daughter so can't really say don't talk to as I'm his only support I can understand that you want to support your boyfriend but you can't do that at the detriment to yourself. What good will it do if you push yourself so much that you're harmed.

You can be as much general support to him if you want but explain that the issues with his daughter and getting involved with that is too much for you. There is nothing wrong with saying this. Take care of yourself, you can only do so much and what you feel you can cope with.

Are interested in going to any counselling or don't you feel ready for that atm?

Is your boyfriend aware of your own issues? You could use this as an opportunity to talk about them with him, and support each other. It might help him too if he knows you have your own understanding of the issue, your insight will help him to understand what his daughter is going through.