Understanding Trauma Triggers
Understanding the concept
A trigger is a cue linked through learning or memory to a threatening experience. Cues can be internal or external, and reactions do not always look the same from person to person.
What this might look like
A sound or tone of voice may evoke intense distress even when the present situation is safe.
A question to reflect on
What helps you orient yourself to where and when you are now?
Research & further reading
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, National Center for PTSD. Trauma reminders: Triggers.
- NICE (2018). Post-traumatic stress disorder: Recognition, assessment and management (NG116).
These sources offer background reading and do not necessarily substantiate every sentence in this article. This is educational information, not diagnosis or personalized advice. Content should be clinician-reviewed prior to public launch.