Understanding Triggers

2:40

Companion Slides

Sensory cues that activate the trauma alarm — sounds, smells, dates, situations.

Key Concepts

  • Triggers as conditioned associations — Pavlov's bell for trauma
  • Types: sensory (sounds, smells), situational, relational, calendar
  • Triggers bypass rational thought — straight to amygdala
  • They can be obvious or deeply hidden
  • Recognizing vs. judging triggered responses

Part of

Module 2: How Trauma Shows Up

Recognizing trauma responses in behavior, across ages, in the body, and through a cultural lens.

Up next

Navigating False Alarms

When the brain can't tell past from present — how to respond when someone is triggered.