Being Triggered

A trigger is something that sets off a powerful memory and puts a person in the moments of the event where they experienced trauma. Triggers can cause irrational behavior, extreme emotion, and can affect our ability to think clearly. They can cause a physiological fight or flight reaction resulting in an increased heart rate, rapid breathing, pale skin, and dilated pupils.  

Triggers revolve around the five senses of touch, smell, sight, taste, and sound. They are very personal and arise from a lifetime of experiences.

So how can we manage our triggers and extreme emotions? 



1. Understand that you have been triggered. This won’t make it stop - but it will help you start the process of shifting your state from extreme emotion back to calm.

2. Step away. If you remain, you run the risk of being retriggered and you may say or do something that you regret later.

3. Shift your state. Having a variety of ways to calm down is a good idea. Maybe go for a run, do yard work, walk the dog, get a cup of coffee - physical exercise and deep breathing are helpful as are meditation and yoga.

If you suffer from being triggered and reliving a difficult traumatic event. Give us a call, we can help. Therapy can help you create a safe space and reduce the impact of triggers.