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So what are triggers?
Triggers are raw wounds that get activated when someone says or does something that hits that raw wound. Triggers are sensory reminders that cause painful memories or certain symptoms to resurface. These trigger can be anything that activates or worsens the symptoms of our mental health condition.
If we experienced a traumatic event, we likely remember certain sounds, smells, or sights related to that experience. Now, when we encounter these sensory reminders, known as “triggers", we may get a feeling of anxiety, unease, panic or even anger and rage.
Or perhaps we live with substance use disorder, where the smell of alcohol or a certain scene can trigger our symptoms.
Triggers can be anything from a holiday to a perfume scent to a loud voice. Often we are triggered by certain people's behaviour.. even someones voice or a gesture they make can trigger us to feel stressed, internal turmoil, anxiety or even anger and rage.
Those raw wound then becomes activated, and unless we learn to deal with our triggers in a responsible way, we will react in a way that is really unhealthy.
We may lash out at someone, scream or yell, ghost people and/or run away from the situation or the person.
For more insight about triggers, check out this short video from Dr. Gabor Maté:
Triggers come in all shapes and sizes and are unique to each person
This is not an exhaustive list, but here are a few common triggers:
a place or anniversary of the trauma or loss
certain sounds, sights, smells, or tastes related to the trauma
loud voices or yelling
certain specific people
loud noises
arguments
being ridiculed or judged
being alone
getting rejected
being ignored
breakup of a relationship
violence in the news
sexual harassment or unwanted touching
physical illness or injury
If triggers cause us to want to react in unhealthy ways, what is their purpose?
Triggers are, in fact, a way for us to learn about our trauma. Because when we are triggered, we are getting access to raw wounds that we can now work on healing. Often, we don't know what our wounds are, but our triggers will tell us to become more aware of what is going on internally.
Now, we have a choice to listen to those triggers and analyse them to heal and get better, or we can ignore them and let them run our lives.
What can we do when we feel triggered?
These triggers often impact us by surprise and it's not easy to get our control back in the moment. Here are a couple of tips on what to do when we feel triggered:
Try to have perspective. As soon as you feel triggered, try to take a birds-eye view of the situation. Recognise where these intense feelings are coming from — likely not from the trigger itself, but from a previous traumatic experience.
Remind yourself that you are safe. Next, try taking slow deep breaths and remind yourself that you’re safe now. You can repeat a mantra in your head, if that’s helpful for you. You might remind yourself, “I am safe. This is not then.”
Practice self-compassion and acceptance. As much as you can, try not to get irritated with yourself for having these feelings. Direct compassion toward yourself as you would a close loved one.
Walk away. In certain situations, it's the best to leave the situation or place for a while. Take yourself away to a safe space where you can focus on yourself and get back to calm. Know that you are safe and that you can deal with the trigger and it's effects on you at a later time.
Talk about it. Seek professional support to express those moments and feelings to someone you trust, so they can give you a new perspective and strategies to resolve the trauma that sits behind those triggers.
The TRTP Therapy will resolve the distressing events that sit deep in our subconscious and the triggers, which then cause anxiety, stress, overwhelm, panic will simply disappear.
There is no need for the mind and body to react in such an intense way anymore, as you will know and feel that you are SAFE now and that it's OVER.
Contact me if you are feeling triggered and would like it to be OVER.
As a TRTP Practitioner, I can help you in a safe, quick and very effective way.
Debbie Wullschleger
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