When someone says they have been ``triggered,'' it typically means that something has caused them to experience a strong emotional reaction, often related to past trauma or distressing experiences. This reaction can manifest as anxiety, anger, sadness, or even panic.
Examples of Triggering Terms
The amount of any payment expressed as a percentage or a dollar amount (example: "$15 per month" or "monthly payments of under $100") The number of payments (example: "60 monthly payments and you're paid up" or "12 small payments is all you owe")
The term “triggered” refers to experiencing a strong emotional or psychological response that is set off by a specific external stimulus. In the context of mental health, being triggered often relates to an emotional, symptomatic, or memory-based reaction tied to past trauma or intense experiences.
A trigger is a stimulus that elicits a reaction. In the context of mental illness, "trigger" is often used to mean something that brings on or worsens symptoms. This often happens to people with a history of trauma or who are recovering from mental illness, self-harm, addiction, and/or eating disorders.
But when someone is triggered, they feel not only distressed but all the physical reactions — sweating, teeth or fists clenching, heart palpitations — as if they were in serious danger or their life were at risk. They often feel the impulse to immediately escape the situation and then maybe avoid it in the future.
Internal triggers: Strong feelings that arise based on past experiences. Example: Making a doctor's appointment after a negative medical experience can trigger fear. Trauma triggers: Strong feelings that arise based on past trauma. Example: The sound of firecrackers can be trauma triggers for veterans of war.
: to initiate, actuate, or set off by a trigger. an indiscreet remark that triggered a fight. a stimulus that triggered a reflex. 3. : to cause an intense and usually negative emotional reaction in (someone)
It is the presence of a specific word or phrase that would “trigger” the advertisement to include additional disclosures to the consumer. The specific triggering term and related requirements are governed by the Truth in Lending Act (for loan-related products) or the Truth in Savings Act (for deposit-related products).
A quick definition of triggering condition:
A triggering condition is an event that must happen before something else can happen. For example, if someone promises to pay for a car repair, the triggering condition is that the car must actually be repaired.
Trigger words and phrases are those that cause a listener to feel strong emotions because of previous experiences. While the phrase is used in a number of different ways, we're using it here as many people now do, to refer to words or phrases that trigger memories and emotions from traumatic events.
bring about, cause, generate, produce, prompt, provoke, set off, spark, start.
Common triggers.
Someone giving you a disapproving look or blaming or shaming you. Receiving criticism or feeling judged. When someone reacts in a way which makes you feel that they are not happy to see you. Someone trying to control you.
Stress buildup.
A big event or a buildup of smaller stressful life situations may trigger excessive anxiety — for example, a death in the family, work stress or ongoing worry about finances.
The following types of content: sexual violence, racial violence, familial violence, racial slurs, and other examples of overt racism, eating disorders, and suicide are examples of content that may be upsetting or triggering, but is clearly not exhaustive.
sudden fear, panic, anger, or sadness. feelings of being overwhelmed, out of control, abandoned, or helpless. flashbacks, which could involve reliving a memory, reliving emotions, or reliving physical sensations. physical symptoms such as a racing heart, rapid breathing, or shaking.
These are moments, objects, and images that elicit positive emotions, such as confidence, joy, and hope. A person can create positive triggers by paying attention to the times when they feel positive emotions and noting what they are doing at the time.