9 Trauma Triggers Everyone Should Know About
Imagine you are walking through a tricky maze of things that make you feel upset or uneasy. We call these things "trauma triggers." Just like landmines are hidden and can unexpectedly explode, so can trauma triggers. They are buried in your past experiences and can set off strong emotions without warning. These triggers, much like the landmines, might be hard to see. When they're activated, they can create a big impact. They can influence how you feel and react in the present moment. Navigating through life with trauma is like carefully walking through a field. You are aware that these hidden emotional landmines might be there and are ready to go off. Healing from trauma involves understanding these triggers and finding ways to cope with them. In this blog, you will learn about lesser known trauma triggers and how they can affect you.
What Are Trauma Triggers?
Trauma triggers are like bookmarks. When you experience something like a trauma in your past, it's like opening that book to a specific page. Just like a bookmark instantly takes you to a particular part of a book, trauma triggers take you back too. They transport you back to the emotions and memories connected with traumatic event. Triggers are powerful because they cause your body and mind to react as if you're reliving that specific moment.
Common Trauma and PTSD Triggers
Triggers can be external or internal. External triggers include specific sounds, smells, or situations. Example of internal triggers are thoughts, memories, or emotions. The word "trigger" is overused a lot in our society. A trauma trigger causes you to re-experience the emotions and sensations connected to a past traumatic event. There is not a comprehensive list of triggers. Below are just some examples of trauma triggers.
1.Being Ignored
No one likes being ignored, especially by people they care about. Imagine you felt overlooked in a house where your needs and emotions were unnoticed. Being ignored can be a significant trigger if you have a history of trauma or C-PTSD. It doesn't matter if someone doesn't notice you on purpose or by accident. Being ignored can make you feel like you did when you were all alone in the past. It can bring back memories when you felt rejected or abandoned in your childhood. It can be a reminder of times when you were not cared for when you needed it. This trigger can negatively affect your sense of self-worth and belonging. As a result, you feel lonely, unworthy, and powerless. It can be frustrating when you know logically why you are being ignored but emotionally it still hurts. This is why trauma triggers are so baffling....They defy logic!
2. Being Blamed:
Imagine a child who was constantly blamed for their parents feelings of sadness and anxiety. As an adult, being blamed can bring up strong feelings. It doesn't matter if the blame is fair or not – it can make you feel like you did when things were out of control in the past. Being blamed can remind you of times when you felt helpless and couldn't do anything about it. This feeling is powerful because it can create shame. Being blamed makes you feel like you're being treated unfairly. It can make you question your own value and worth. Dealing with this trigger means not just understanding how it affects you now. It's also important to untangle the feelings from the past that make it so strong.
3.Feeling Helpless:
Consider someone in a situation like a fire where they couldn't protect themselves. Feeling helpless reminds you when you couldn't do anything to change a hard situation. Whether it was something scary or painful, the feeling of not having any control stays with you. If you've had a traumatic experience, feeling helpless can be a reminder of those moments. It's like a switch that turns on old emotions and makes everything feel overwhelming. This trigger is tricky because it makes you feel like you're back in the tough situation, even if it's not happening right now.
4. Feeling Abandoned:
Think about a child who experienced emotional neglect or abandonment during their early years. This might have been due to unstable family circumstances or a death in the family. When someone leaves or threatens to leave, you may feel abandoned. Feeling abandoned is connected to the fear or reality of being left all alone. Abandonment makes you question your importance. You worry that people won't stick around when things get tough. This can trigger an anxious attachment style and difficulty maintaining relationships.
5. Feeling Rejected:
Imagine if you were repeatedly rejected by peers in school. You never felt like you fit in or were accepted by others. Over the years, when you feel rejected, whether real or perceived, you feel unworthy and lonely. For example, if you attend a social event where you don't know anyone you might feel triggered. Rejection can cause flashbacks and other trauma symptoms. This trigger can impact your self-esteem and self-image. It can also trigger trauma symptoms such as the fight-or-flight response. This is a nervous system response that is rooted in survival instincts.
6. Being Judged:
Let's say you experienced harsh and unjust criticism in the past from a parent, teacher, or friend. Now you feel triggered when you experience judgment. For example, constructive feedback at work can create lead you to feel inadequate. You may also fear judgement from others. Being judged can remind you of past experiences of criticism or scrutiny. It can bring up intense feelings of vulnerability and insecurity. The trauma trigger can lead to increased sensitivity to judgment. You fear being negatively evaluated by others. This leads to anxiety, self-doubt, and a sense of impending threat. Being judged may result in trauma symptoms like hypervigilance, avoidance, or a flashbacks.
7. Having Too Much to Do:
Consider someone who experienced a trauma where they felt overwhelmed with responsibilities. Maybe this was during a time of crisis or extreme stress. Now, as an adult, when they are in situations where there's too much on their plate, it is a trauma trigger. This could be being given a lot of tasks at work or having a hectic schedule. Having too much to do can be a trigger because it reminds you of chaotic times connected with the past. Being burdened with tasks or responsibilities can bring back memories where you felt helpless or out of control. Having too much to do can bring up feelings of stress, anxiety, and powerlessness. These feelings are not only present now. They were also present during the original traumatic experience. This trigger is connected to the sense of losing control.
8. Unexpected Noises:
Imagine someone who experienced a car accident in the past. The sudden, unexpected noise of a car honking loudly on the street can serve as a trauma trigger for them. The honking sound acts like a reminder of the traumatic event. It brings back memories of the crash and feelings of fear and vulnerability. The unexpected noise becomes more than just a loud sound. It reignites the intense emotions tied to the original traumatic experience.
9. Feeling Unsafe:
Feeling unsafe can permeate every aspect of life for trauma survivors. Let's say you experienced a scary break-in at your home in the past. Now, when you find yourself in situations that don't feel safe, it brings back strong feelings of fear. Places you don't feel safe might be a dimly lit alley or hearing strange sounds outside. You also might not feel safe inside of your body. Not feeling safe in any situation reminds you of the traumatic experience. You might feel anxious, hyperalert, or a strong urge to get away, even if there's no actual danger.
Tips for Coping
Learning to deal with trauma and PTSD triggers can make a big difference in how you feel. When you learn about your triggers, it helps you understand your feelings and control your reactions. Coping with trauma triggers gives you the tools to communicate better and set boundaries in your life. Here are some ways you can begin to cope with your triggers.
Reach out to a loved one
Avoid triggers (if possible!)
Create a safety plan
Remember that your body has been “hijacked” and it’s not your fault.
Allow yourself to feel your feeling!
Move your body to release endorphins
Start Trauma Therapy in Detroit, Michigan
If you want to learn more about your triggers and ways to cope at Embodied Wellness, PLLC we have trained trauma therapists. One of the goals of trauma therapy is to identify and cope with trauma triggers. Our therapists are experts in different trauma treatments such as EMDR, Somatic therapy , Somatic Experiencing, Internal Family Systems and DBT for trauma. To start trauma therapy at Embodied Wellness, PLLC follow these steps:
Be matched with one of our trauma therapists.
Learn how to identify and cope with trauma triggers.
Other Online Counseling Services We Provide in Michigan
At Embodied Wellness, PLLC we offer a variety of holistic treatment services for adults and teens with anxiety, depression, and OCD. We also specialize in CBT, ERP, Empath Counseling and Spanish Therapy. We offer online therapy in Michigan. Start overcoming your trauma today by visiting our Detroit-based practice.