The Most Common Triggers of Trauma

When you experience and survive a traumatic event, you will likely develop trauma disorder, particularly post-traumatic stress disorder. Although you feel fine, a sound, sight, or place can trigger trauma symptoms. You are okay one moment, and the next, you find yourself relieving a horrific experience. 

Constantly reliving a traumatic experience can leave you stuck in the past and unable to enjoy the present. Therefore, it is vital to know the common symptoms of trauma and the ways to best deal with them. 

How Do Triggers Develop 

When faced with danger, the body enters a flight, fight, or freeze mode. You will feel your heart beating faster, your senses on high alert, and your brain will stop some of its functions to confront the threat. However, when dealing with trauma, your brain doesn’t process things correctly. 

As it does not file a traumatic memory as a past event, you feel scared and threatened even when there’s no imminent danger. Also, the brain attaches details like smells, sights, and sounds to the memory, and they become triggers. When you encounter any trigger, your brain enters danger mode, and it feels like you’re reliving the traumatic event again. 

What Are the Most Common Triggers of Trauma? 

Essentially, anything that reminds you of the traumatic experience is a potential trigger, and they are tied to the five senses. That is, what you see, feel, touch, hear, and smell. Below are some of the most common trauma triggers: 

• People
• Things and places 
• Thoughts and emotions 
• Scents 
• Feelings and sounds 
• Tastes 
• TV shows, movies, and news reports 
• Situations and anniversaries 
• Words 

How to Deal With Trauma Triggers 

The first thing is to identify your triggers. Once you know what they are, understand what leads to them and how they relate to your trauma. Talk about the triggers with a family member or friend, and develop a relaxation pattern for when you encounter a trigger. Finally, speak with a doctor or counselor and get therapy.  

While trauma triggers may not go away entirely, you can manage them effectively if you seek help with a qualified PTSD ketamine clinic. Our team at Ketamine Wellness Clinic of South Florida will create a personalized plan to help you manage your triggers and live a whole life.