You are going about your day. It is even becoming one of the better days you’ve had in a while. When suddenly your mind fills with negative thoughts. This happened to me recently. Triggers can come in various forms. Sounds, conversations, certain words, smells, anything that you can absorb through your senses can trigger your mind. Many times, these triggers can remind you of positive experiences. Maybe remembering a loved one that passed away. But it is the triggers that result in negative thoughts that can be dangerous. Because in this case, it becomes a trauma response that ultimately can hinder your health.
My trigger
For me, I was having a good morning. I ended up in a conversation with someone that suddenly triggered feelings of not being pretty enough or good enough. Now for me, I have my support group that has gone out of their way to make sure that I am not only told but shown that I am beautiful and that I am good enough to deserve happiness. But at that moment, my mind thought otherwise. This is where it got even harder for me. Because I have been told and shown this, I fought back against my own thoughts. This frustrated me. I couldn’t understand why I would think this way.
The response
Trauma responses are unconscious reactions to triggers that remind you of the past trauma you experienced. This is very common for those that experience PTSD. The smell of cigarettes, the sound of a car backfiring, or a firework are very common triggers for those that suffer PTSD from wartime. The smell of cologne, the sound of doors slamming close, or glass breaking can be triggers for those healing from physical abuse. For those of us that have experienced mental abuse, it becomes mostly certain words. The responses we experience become forms of anxiety, severe depression, panic, and fear.
My mind
Now I have been working on myself and trying hard to stand my ground. Face my fears and believe in my own strength to get me through the days. And so far, I think I have been doing pretty good. So, when I was faced with these thoughts, I battled against them. It did make me frustrated and a little more upset with myself, but ultimately, I learned from the experience. I learned that I do have triggers. Understanding that I am strong, beautiful, and good enough. I have been proving it to myself over these last few years.
I know that I will be faced with more triggers and more opportunities that my trauma responses will be present. We all must remember that healing is a process. This process will take time. Those that have been involved in our trauma and life itself will find ways to test us. You cannot avoid smells and noises from your life. There is no way to avoid conversations either. You can avoid people, but that can become very lonely.
The true test
Remember before when I spoke about how emotional trauma impacts our physical health? It is the constant anxiety and depression from the trauma responses that can result in further damage to our physical health. Learning ways to understand your own response and what your triggers are will help you take the steps in your healing process. Plus, it always helps to have support groups in your life to remind you of how special you are. Remind you that the world is better with you in it. Those people that remind you that you are the most beautiful person in the world.
We are going to be facing our triggers as we heal. Learning from our trauma responses will also help us to heal and take that next step forward. Together we can make it through these tough times and into a healthier life.
Enjoy this video.
With great warmth,
