A trigger is any stimuli (could be a smell, sound, sight, or even a person) that sets off (or "triggers") feelings, memories, or flashbacks of a traumatic experience.
The triggering event may produce very uncomfortable emotional, physical, or psychological symptoms such as anxiety, panic, discouragement, despair, or negative self-talk (to name a few).
Some examples of triggers could be:
* the anniversary date of the loss of a loved one or a traumatic event * frightening news events * too much to do, feeling overwhelmed * family friction * the end of a relationship * spending too much time alone * being judged, criticized, teased, or put down * financial problems, getting a big bill * physical illness * sexual harassment * being yelled at * aggressive-sounding noises or exposure to anything that makes you feel uncomfortable * hearing sounds that remind you of dangerous situations * being around large crowds * being around someone who has treated you badly * certain smells, tastes, or noises
If you notice that you're frequently experiencing involuntary triggers, it may be due to some unresolved trauma. Trauma is complicated. It can be obvious, with a clear cause, and symptoms that seem to make sense. Or, trauma can be buried beneath depression, anxiety, and anger, without any recognizable origin. The causal event may have occurred a week ago, or half a century in the past.
If you are having this experience (which I have discovered that many of us do on one level or another), it is FIRST my PRAYER that you obtain the healing you need through Christ Jesus. Secondly, I encourage you to seek professional assistance, because with that, comes the PRACTICAL knowledge (everyday steps, tools, and tips that can be used) to combine WITH our faith so that we can successfully walk out our journey.
That said, BE WELL... and happy "UN-triggering"
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