Psychological Triggers: What to Do When You Feel Triggered

A trigger may be a sound, image, smell or situation that recalls a difficult experience and provokes a strong emotional or physical response.

Key symptoms or background

Triggers differ between people and do not, by themselves, establish a PTSD diagnosis. Consider how reactions affect sleep, avoidance and daily activities.

What can you do?

Orient yourself to the present, move to a safe place and slow your breathing if helpful. Recurrent severe reactions deserve support from a trauma-informed professional.

Before talking to a specialist

Before a consultation, record situations, duration and concrete impacts on daily life. Do not wait for a routine appointment when immediate safety is at risk.

Frequently asked question

When should professional support be considered?

Consider an assessment when symptoms persist or significantly affect sleep, relationships or daily functioning.

Source and further reading

https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd