The Problem with 'Trigger': When a word loses its Strength

I've come to hate the word "trigger." It's become so commonplace, used to describe everything from a slightly upsetting news story to a minor disagreement. And honestly, I worry we're doing a disservice to those who've truly experienced trauma.

I work with children and adults who've lived through unimaginable experiences. For them, a trigger isn't just a fleeting annoyance. It's a visceral, debilitating flashback—the body and mind reliving the worst moments. It's a serious, life-altering event.

But when we throw the word "trigger" around for every little thing, we risk diluting its meaning. We're trivialising the experiences of those who've suffered trauma in the deepest sense, making their pain seem less profound, less valid. It blurs the line between everyday emotional distress and the severe impact of trauma.

This isn't to say that difficult emotions aren't real. They are. But there's a crucial distinction between being upset by something and being triggered.

I understand the value of trigger warnings when used appropriately. They can be incredibly helpful in preparing individuals for potentially distressing content, facilitating important conversations. For example, informing parents about sensitive material allows for informed discussions with their children around what they may see, hear or read. However, I'm concerned that we're also increasingly using them to avoid difficult conversations altogether, shielding ourselves from anything remotely uncomfortable. This avoidance might be contributing to a culture of anticipatory fear.

Take, for instance, the Netflix show "Adolescence," which deals (amongst other subjects)

with knife crime. The discussion surrounding it is rife with "triggers," potentially creating anticipatory fear—where people are more scared of the idea of knife crime than the statistical reality.

Let’s look at UK statistics:

• Knife Crime (10-18):

  • While a serious issue, it's not as pervasive as some portray. The gov.uk site provides the actual numbers, showing increases in some areas but not widespread occurrence.

• Homicide (13-year-olds):

  • Extremely rare, as evidenced by the gov.uk statistics.

    
    

Science also supports the idea that anticipation of stress can cause physiological changes—increased heart rate, blood pressure, etc. The brain's fear centre activates even before the event occurs. By constantly labeling things as "triggers," we might be inadvertently training ourselves to react with fear, potentially creating new triggers where none existed before.

We need to find a balance. We must acknowledge the reality of trauma while reclaiming the word "trigger" from overuse. We must also allow ourselves to experience the full range of human emotions, without constantly retreating from them because not only is this a 'normal' human experience, it is one that builds resilience. It is also important to acknowledge that those who experience debilitating trauma responses may require avoidance as a temporary coping mechanism, while they receive further professional support to develop more effective management strategies. (This is a complex area of interest to me, and one that will undoubtedly be the subject of future blog posts... including one about the amazing use of psychadelics in trauma recovery)

Disclaimer:

This is just my perspective. I'm not dismissing anyone's feelings. If you're struggling, please seek support.