Emotional triggers cause people to experience intense emotional feelings. Triggers often leave people feeling extremely vulnerable and stressed, unsure of themselves and potentially fragile. When people find themselves in this ‘state’ they may react in unfamiliar ways and agree to involve themselves in activities they would normally resist. While triggers have the ability to impact in the most positive ways, triggers have enormous potential to shake people’s confidence and will power.

Emotional triggers consist of thoughts, feelings, smells, tastes, words or phrases, certain ‘looks’, a tone of voice, dates or times of the year, certain music, movies, noises, pets, politics, some environments, particular events, a person or experience. While some of these feelings are uplifting or comforting, other sensations may be quite the opposite. Triggers can instantly transport us to another place, causing a sense of being exposed or unprotected. This intense emotional involvement brings up other feelings such as anger, frustration, fear, hurt, sadness, addictive needs, desires or deep insecurity.

Marketing companies use emotional triggers to recruit and seduce buyers into buying the goods or services from a particular company. The emotional reaction promoted by a marketing trigger is a primary reason why millions of dollars per day is spent creating our imaginary needs. Learning how to identify emotional triggers is vitally important, this provides us with a way of choosing how we want to respond.

It is often quite hard to recognize triggers within ourselves. A professional therapist is very valuable in helping to develop your awareness of what and how specific emotional triggers are tempting or motivating you. A therapist will help you choose which emotional triggers serve your wellbeing at the highest level. In addition, a skilled therapist will teach you how to respond, rather than react to your triggers.
Some typical triggers will include.

• Feeling rejected or abandoned.
• Being criticized or ignored.
• Feeling challenged or uncomfortable.
• Sensing danger with no visible evidence.
• Feeling overwhelmed or unsafe.
• Finding yourself in unfamiliar territory.
• Receiving a gift you do not want.
• People’s expectations.
• Addictions.

Emotional triggers will constantly emerge. Learn to identify them. Having better control of your triggers means being better prepared to derail the emotional negativity and bring yourself back to a place where it is possible to make healthy decisions regarding your response.

Spend time with a good therapist looking at your emotional triggers, given some new understanding and patience. You will be well on your way to finding your peaceful heart.

References.
Guadry, E., (1989) Recovery from Alcoholism. Collins Dove, Victoria.
Muller, R.T., (2010) Trauma and the Avoidant Client. Library of Congress. USA.
Hoff, L.A., (2001), People in Crisis. Jossey Bass. San Francisco CA.