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How can I learn my triggers?

24 Answers
Last Updated: 02/12/2019 at 12:45am
1 Tip to Feel Better
United States
Moderated by

Brenda King, PsyD

Psychologist

I treat life changes, women’s issues, and issues of aging using evidence-based treatments with healthy doses of warmth, empathy and humor to enhance healing and growth.

Top Rated Answers
Hogwarts
November 2nd, 2015 2:57pm
You can do these three things. 1. Look back on all the times that you have done something (whatever it is you are struggling with), and try to locate what was similar about all those instances. Was it a song you listened to? Did you talk to a specific person? Etc. 2. When you feel yourself getting tempted or sad, evaluate the situation. What is going on right now? 3. Ask someone you trust who knows about your situation if they have noticed any patterns. >
Anonymous
February 12th, 2019 12:45am
I am going to focus on emotional triggers here. For emotional triggers you can learn them by finding out what triggers the emotion this being said it could be things like someone saying something, an object so many different things. First you need to know what an emotional trigger is. it could be a topic that makes us uncomfortable or a variety of things. you can ask yourself a series of questions that you can ask. You may be on your own be able to identify some of your triggers and you could talk to someone that can help you to figure them out. things like does this topic upset me more than one time, is there a reason for it
Spiderman93
August 4th, 2015 6:41pm
have you tried to keep a diary of what has brought you down before an attack? maybe if you can find common factors that lead to an attck, you can better pin point the problem. best wishes.
Peacefulmeditation
August 24th, 2015 3:27pm
Biofeedback is a good way to start. Learn how your body reacts to certain stimuli and then you will find what your triggers are.
Anonymous
July 17th, 2018 6:34pm
It’ll take time. Maybe write down what you were doing when you get the thing and eventually maybe you’ll figure out the triggers
Anonymous
June 12th, 2018 5:26am
Help talk through them, and figure out a way to get through those triggers. And provided methods that can help go through said triggers.
Potatofry
February 9th, 2018 9:27pm
There are 3 common ways of learning what your personal triggers are: You can think about times when you have had a panic attack. Try and form a link or figure out anything common between those times. You can ask a friend or family member if they have seen a shift in your behaviour when you experience a certain thing. That could be trigger for you. Lastly, you can analyze a situation as it is occuring if you feel anxious. Look at things around you. Try to determine if any of them have an effect on you.
HopieRemi
August 15th, 2016 6:00am
Trial by error, really. You learn your triggers as you go. You see what affects you and what doesnt and you go from there.
TheGlovedOne
August 1st, 2016 9:40pm
You can learn them through online websites, such as this one. Maybe go through life, write down a few things that made you feel any strong negative emotion.
TeaGreen621
July 19th, 2016 3:42am
My best advice would be to keep a journal. Make it very detailed. You cannot learn your triggers if you are very vague. Write down everything. If something is said or done that makes you feel any type of negative, then write down exactly what was said or done and then exactly how you felt. Describe to yourself exactly what happened to the best of your ability. At the end of the day or even the week, go over the journal and see if there are any reoccurring themes This is really a great tool! I hope this helps!
SimplyBeing
July 12th, 2016 9:49am
I have found it helpful to keep a journal with me. Both to keep myself organized and to have a place to put things that bother me when I have other things to do. When I find a thing that triggers me I make a note. Perhaps not at the moment but when I have calmed. It helps me place triggers in the proper context. They are not the trauma itself but only a echo of what happened. Echos can't hurt me. I hope this helps. I wish you peace. ~J
Iwillalwayslisten05
January 18th, 2016 11:52pm
I have learned my triggers by experiencing them. I am aware now of what I can and cannot handle. I'm still learning small things about which sets my anxiety off though.
Anonymous
November 23rd, 2015 9:11am
You can start noticing situations or even specific words/pictures that make you feel angry/sad/anxious or depressed and try to remember them or even write them down. As the time progresses you will know what you need to work on or avoid.
arthritisfighter
March 22nd, 2015 9:41am
To learn about your triggers you should write down what you think may be triggering how you are feeling. It will allow you to think about what has triggered it and it will get you thinking about other possible triggers. The more aware you become the better because it becomes easier to identify your trigger as it happens. It then lets you develop ways to manage and cope with it better and to reduce the trigger.
blissfulwanderlust
August 4th, 2015 3:41pm
Reflecting on previous setbacks or times where you were feeling a certain way, and taking not of what and who was around you can help! Those that are common occurrences in these times are often triggers!
hwwof
August 3rd, 2015 7:20pm
Experience the world little by little. You'll never know if something triggers you if you've never experienced it.
Anonymous
July 7th, 2015 8:54pm
You will learn them when u talk to people. And when I start feeling anxious or feel like ur going to break down when ur on the subject then u now that is one of ur triggers
Anonymous
June 30th, 2015 9:43pm
Consider talking to someone about the last time you felt "triggered." It may help to consult a healthcare professional, like a physician, regarding how to best identify and manage your triggers.
MotherWillow93
June 30th, 2015 5:35pm
One way is to keep a journal with you and write down when you feel the emotion, what happened to make you feel that way, what time of day was it, and any other factors that might play into it.
Anonymous
May 27th, 2015 8:28am
When you panic try to write down what was around you and what situation you was in when you panicked, then try to see if there's any connections between them all.
Anonymous
May 2nd, 2015 7:30pm
I think a good way to know what your triggers are is to stay atuned to you. While its very good to putnothers wants before your own, its omportant to put your own needs first. Notice how different topics of conversation make you feel and try to figure out way. If a conversation made you feel a negative way check in with yourself later in and see how youre feeling again.
Storm48
April 30th, 2015 8:44pm
Think about the things that seem to set you off, no matter how miniscule. Triggers tend to be small things that bring you to an extremely negative place-- it's good to know what triggers you so that you can (1) avoid unnecessary triggers and (2) plan for how you will react if you happen to come across a trigger.
PashT007
April 14th, 2015 1:30am
Pay attention to when whatever the issue is flairs up, that way you know what situations or people and surroundings to avoid.
shiningDay13
March 23rd, 2015 3:27am
Have you tried recording or journaling your emotions? It's kinda hard to work it in when you're having an anxiety attack, but it'll help you figure out what your triggers are and how you react to them. For example, you're watching a movie and a particular scene sets you off. If you can leave the room and allow yourself to calm down, and when you're feeling better, you can write about the scene and you'll be able to narrow it down.