Athena 🇺🇸
Region: US
Sunday 13 September 2026 18:59:20 GMT
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krista.lee.333 :
One of the best pieces of advice I got from my therapist was- a trigger is a flashing red light showing YOU what YOU need to work on
2026-09-13 21:35:14
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Molly ✨ :
I completely agree. In 2017 I was 🍇ed. A couple days later I was in a clinic to get a copper iud for emergency contraception. I got it for free because the doctor could see I was extremely uncomfortable and asked me what was wrong so I told her why I was there. Since then, I have gotten that iud removed and have gotten two others. Each time I go for removal and insertion, I get flashbacks from that time in 2017. But I remind myself I am not being harmed and it will be over soon. I also remind myself of that very kind doctor who showed me empathy in the worst time of my life. I remind myself of all the people who support me and don’t want to harm me. Exposure therapy is key and it does get easier
2026-09-16 16:44:13
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Otty's_Dad's_wife :
pap smears aren't the only way to detect cancer there are newer methods & traditional pap smear methods are damaging, strongly encourage researching other testing, other than that I agree with your ways to get comfortable with fears
2026-09-13 20:03:49
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S h e l b y 🖤 :
GET THE PAP SMEAR. Trust me, get it. Abnormal cells at 27 years old, no more cervix, uterus or ovaries for me due to genetic cancer risk. Just do it, it could save your life.
2026-09-14 13:00:36
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misslaurendiva :
And I don’t get girls refusing to even try getting ONE Pap smear out of *fear* it’ll hurt. I’ve had multiple, as well as plan exams down there without the Pap smear- absolutely have had a tad bit of ‘pressure’ or ‘discomfort’ but NEVER pain. You simply don’t know how things will affect you until you try! Things are worth trying!
2026-09-13 20:32:31
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thehomestylemouse | Ashley :
It’s ok to have uncomfortable moments
2026-09-15 14:05:13
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Kate Holt :
I’d love to hear more about your exposure therapies!
2026-09-16 03:46:32
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🏴☠️🇺🇸Davey🥓Jones🇺🇸🏴☠️ :
ngl, i couldn't do it...i was unconscious for all my procedures...THANK GOD!!!
2026-09-15 15:39:54
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Fred Gunn :
You’re so correct. It’s not realistic to expect to live in comfort.
2026-09-13 20:23:42
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mj :
YES. thank you. I’ve been saying this for years and have been met with so much resistance. uncomfortable doesn’t mean it’s inherently wrong, bad or dangerous.
2026-09-13 19:12:51
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the freedom pines 🌲🇨🇦 :
Yeah but I’ve had a Pap smear where he was assaulting me with it and yelled at me and told me that it couldn’t possibly hurt that much and jammed it up farther. He was actually found for malpractice with a lot. But …. That was my first time getting one and everyone says they hurt so much and they hurt yes… but not like the way I got hurt the first time. And my actual doctor who wasn’t my OB was so smooth, gentle, and painless. It was in that moment I realized I had been assaulted years prior.
2026-09-16 20:08:22
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Whitley :
I love how you’re speaking on this from a place of experience.
2026-09-16 17:23:18
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Ireth :
In the Netherlands you can do it yourself at home. So much easier
2026-09-14 16:58:51
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The Scary Scientist :
THIS. Neuroscientist here and I worked a lot on extinction learning (this is one of cognitive processes underlying exposure therapy). People keep talking about triggers but they don’t talk enough about the importance of extinction. When you keep avoiding things it won’t help your anxiety, often it will just lead to generalization and so more and more anxiety and avoidance of other things as well.
2026-09-14 12:16:01
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Clark Griswold :
I'm 58 now, have raised 2 incredible kids. I'm just in shock how "problems" have arised...it honestly makes no sense to me! I'm in no way trying t o be rude, or not understanding, it's just crazy to me!
2026-09-14 03:08:43
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Vanilla500 :
Thank you for saying ALL of this out loud publicly 👏🏼 The only way to become stronger is to overcome our fears!
2026-09-14 00:24:58
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Mt Logan :
Well done. And well said.
2026-09-13 23:32:21
2
Larissa Michelle :
do they have the DIY ones in the USA. I did a DIY one myself last year. much easier.
2026-09-14 09:25:58
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sydneyalden :
YES! this is exactly what happened with my emetophobia. i absolutely love this take.
2026-09-13 19:16:54
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fatcatbutter2 :
Sounds like you have come a long way. Thank you for sharing with us the things you have gone through I'm sure you have helped people by exposing yourself to us
2026-09-13 22:09:14
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Being Conservative :
I don’t have any phobias
2026-09-15 05:54:25
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Liza✨ :
In my first pregnancy, I had to have a nurse check my cervix as my baby was due soon. I didn’t know she was going to insert part of her hand inside trying to reach my cervix. I just remember coming out of that appointment and just sobbing in my car because it gave me intense flashbacks. It wasn’t the nurses fault at all and I don’t blame her, it just reminded me to prepare for it when I was pregnant with my second one lol I laugh about it now but it’s something that even in my yearly cervical checks I remember to prepare myself every single time and to talk myself through the process when it starts feeling like I am close to being triggered.
2026-09-14 22:53:48
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Cat :
Too many people want the coddling and extra special attention so getting help is a no.
2026-09-14 22:08:26
1
Maija Phillips :
I force myself to go out my comfort zone quite often because of my anxiety. I’m trying to show my nervous system that’s it’s okay. But I also think this conversation can be used to shame people for protecting themselves when it’s okay.
2026-09-14 23:51:58
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EmFitz :
🙌🏼 ERP therapist here, the question I ask the most in sessions- “is it unsafe or just uncomfortable?”
2026-09-15 02:59:58
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