What is a trigger?
A trigger is something that promotes a memory to surface. This is more commonly referred to as a flashback. This typically stems from a traumatic incident occurring to an individual. Triggers can be something very small that others may not even realize is triggering or something very large. Triggers can cause the person to spiral into a serious medical episode. Triggers are extremely personal to the individual as they are based on their particular experiences.
Triggers often come in the form of one of the 5 senses. The 5 senses include...
- Hearing
- Smelling
- Tasting
- Touching
- Seeing
Common examples of triggers include...
Hearing
- Loud noises
- Names
- Yelling
- Language/ verbiage
- Incorrect labeling
Smelling
- Scent of cologne/ perfume
- Tobacco and other drugs
- Odors produced from location
Tasting
- Certain foods and drinks
- Rubber or metal
Touching
- Being bumped into
- Physical affection ( kissing, hugging, etc...)
- Standing too close
- Being approached from behind
Seeing
- Specific bodily features
- Witnessing abuse
- A significant object
- Alcohol or drugs
- Location
Other
- Anniversary dates
- Boundary violations
- Omission of a sense
- Driving
Depending on the trigger, sometimes the trigger can be completely avoided. Others times, the trigger is apart of everyday life. Most people will go completely out of the to avoid a problem causing situation.
I myself included have triggers and I believe most people do. Personally I struggle with...
- Darkness
- Inability to see or hear
- Driving
- Loud noises
- Names
- Smell of a cologne
- Locations
- Situations in movies/ television
- Sink running
- etc...
Every person has a different reaction when triggered and the reaction is often different based on what the exact trigger was.
Examples of reactions include...
- Mutism
- Crying
- Increased heart rate/ blood pressure
- Dizziness
- Disassociating
- Age regression
- Paranoia
- Temporary Paralysis
- Anger
- Fear
What are some coping mechanisms?
- Increasing support system
- Changing the scenario
- Taking a break
- Positive self-talk
- Controlled breathing exercises
- Physical activities ( dance, yoga, going to the gym, etc...)
- Distraction
It is important to respect known triggers of those around you. If you know that something will trigger a person please refrain from that action till you are away from the person out of respect for the individual. If possible, advocate for yourself and remove yourself from the trigger. It is always acceptable to put your health first.
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