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What Does ‘Triggered’ Really Mean?

• By gsswpadmin

During therapy sessions with Rachel Needle, a clinical psychologist based in West Palm Beach, Florida, patients often express feelings of being triggered by a wide range of stimuli. These can range from minor annoyances to stark reminders of traumatic experiences.

Dr. Needle has observed that the term “trigger” has become so widely used that it has lost some of its original meaning. While it originates from trauma psychology, its clinical application often diverges from everyday usage.

In a popular Reddit thread boasting over 400 comments, users shared their “uncommon triggers,” which included everything from Spaghettios to the smell of body wax and the sound of crinkly food bags.

Yael Schonbrun, a clinical psychologist at Brown University, notes that while incorporating psychological terms like “trigger” into everyday language can help reduce stigma and create a cultural shorthand for expressing feelings, it also has its drawbacks.

The overuse of the term can diminish the experiences of those with a history of trauma or mental health issues, Dr. Schonbrun explains. It may also lead others to cope with challenging situations in unhealthy ways.

In psychological terms, “trigger” is most closely associated with trauma.

A trauma is defined as “an overwhelming event that exceeds a person’s ability to cope in the moment,” according to Lisa Damour, a clinical psychologist in Cleveland and senior adviser to the Schubert Center for Child Studies at Case Western Reserve University.

Dr. Damour explains that traumatic memories impact individuals differently than other types of memories. When reminded of a traumatic event, some may feel as if they are reliving it—experiencing it all over again, which is known as a flashback.

A trigger can be any cue or experience that prompts such a flashback, whether it’s a specific place, smell, sound, or situation that suddenly transports a person back to a traumatic moment.

Due to the distress caused by flashbacks, many trauma survivors attempt to avoid their triggers. While this avoidance may provide a temporary sense of safety, it can ultimately exacerbate anxiety, Dr. Schonbrun warns.

Psychologists often employ exposure therapy to help individuals confront their traumas in a controlled environment. Dr. Damour notes that the goal is to help people dissociate their triggers from immediate danger, allowing them to face rather than avoid these cues.

The term “trigger” can also apply in other mental health contexts, Dr. Needle adds, typically referring to identifiable cues that exacerbate symptoms or problematic behaviors. For instance, individuals with substance use disorders or eating disorders may identify specific triggers that lead to their challenges.

When the term “trigger” is used to describe everyday annoyances or offenses, it risks conflating serious mental health issues with minor inconveniences, several experts caution.

Dr. Needle emphasizes that there is a significant difference between being affected by something and developing clinical symptoms. Misusing the term may lead individuals to interpret discomfort as danger, hindering their ability to view challenges as opportunities for growth.

If individuals perceive all negative experiences as harmful, they may begin to see themselves as permanently damaged rather than capable of handling adversity. Some studies suggest that trigger warnings, intended to shield individuals from distressing material, can inadvertently reinforce avoidance and anxiety.

This fear of discomfort can also strain relationships. For example, when someone claims to feel triggered during a disagreement, it may act as an “emergency brake,” halting potentially constructive dialogue, Dr. Schonbrun explains.

Moreover, the term can be used dismissively, as in “Oh, you’re just triggered,” which minimizes a person’s legitimate emotional response. Dr. Needle points out that this attitude implies that the issue lies solely with the individual, rather than acknowledging the hurtful nature of the comment or action.

Given these complexities, what should individuals do when they encounter the term in conversation or feel tempted to use it themselves?

Dr. Damour suggests that when she hears someone casually say they feel triggered, she responds with curiosity: “Tell me more about that.”

Dr. Needle encourages people to reflect on their experiences and use more precise language to articulate their feelings, such as “that really frustrated me” or “that reminded me of something difficult.”

“This kind of language is more accurate,” Dr. Needle asserts, “and it helps others understand what you’re feeling and needing in that moment.”

During therapy sessions with Rachel Needle, a clinical psychologist based in West Palm Beach, Florida, patients often express feelings of being triggered by a wide range of stimuli. These can range from minor annoyances to stark reminders of traumatic experiences.

Dr. Needle has observed that the term “trigger” has become so widely used that it has lost some of its original meaning. While it originates from trauma psychology, its clinical application often diverges from everyday usage.

In a popular Reddit thread boasting over 400 comments, users shared their “uncommon triggers,” which included everything from Spaghettios to the smell of body wax and the sound of crinkly food bags.

Yael Schonbrun, a clinical psychologist at Brown University, notes that while incorporating psychological terms like “trigger” into everyday language can help reduce stigma and create a cultural shorthand for expressing feelings, it also has its drawbacks.

The overuse of the term can diminish the experiences of those with a history of trauma or mental health issues, Dr. Schonbrun explains. It may also lead others to cope with challenging situations in unhealthy ways.

In psychological terms, “trigger” is most closely associated with trauma.

A trauma is defined as “an overwhelming event that exceeds a person’s ability to cope in the moment,” according to Lisa Damour, a clinical psychologist in Cleveland and senior adviser to the Schubert Center for Child Studies at Case Western Reserve University.

Dr. Damour explains that traumatic memories impact individuals differently than other types of memories. When reminded of a traumatic event, some may feel as if they are reliving it—experiencing it all over again, which is known as a flashback.

A trigger can be any cue or experience that prompts such a flashback, whether it’s a specific place, smell, sound, or situation that suddenly transports a person back to a traumatic moment.

Due to the distress caused by flashbacks, many trauma survivors attempt to avoid their triggers. While this avoidance may provide a temporary sense of safety, it can ultimately exacerbate anxiety, Dr. Schonbrun warns.

Psychologists often employ exposure therapy to help individuals confront their traumas in a controlled environment. Dr. Damour notes that the goal is to help people dissociate their triggers from immediate danger, allowing them to face rather than avoid these cues.

The term “trigger” can also apply in other mental health contexts, Dr. Needle adds, typically referring to identifiable cues that exacerbate symptoms or problematic behaviors. For instance, individuals with substance use disorders or eating disorders may identify specific triggers that lead to their challenges.

When the term “trigger” is used to describe everyday annoyances or offenses, it risks conflating serious mental health issues with minor inconveniences, several experts caution.

Dr. Needle emphasizes that there is a significant difference between being affected by something and developing clinical symptoms. Misusing the term may lead individuals to interpret discomfort as danger, hindering their ability to view challenges as opportunities for growth.

If individuals perceive all negative experiences as harmful, they may begin to see themselves as permanently damaged rather than capable of handling adversity. Some studies suggest that trigger warnings, intended to shield individuals from distressing material, can inadvertently reinforce avoidance and anxiety.

This fear of discomfort can also strain relationships. For example, when someone claims to feel triggered during a disagreement, it may act as an “emergency brake,” halting potentially constructive dialogue, Dr. Schonbrun explains.

Moreover, the term can be used dismissively, as in “Oh, you’re just triggered,” which minimizes a person’s legitimate emotional response. Dr. Needle points out that this attitude implies that the issue lies solely with the individual, rather than acknowledging the hurtful nature of the comment or action.

Given these complexities, what should individuals do when they encounter the term in conversation or feel tempted to use it themselves?

Dr. Damour suggests that when she hears someone casually say they feel triggered, she responds with curiosity: “Tell me more about that.”

Dr. Needle encourages people to reflect on their experiences and use more precise language to articulate their feelings, such as “that really frustrated me” or “that reminded me of something difficult.”

“This kind of language is more accurate,” Dr. Needle asserts, “and it helps others understand what you’re feeling and needing in that moment.”