Trigger Warning: Do You Control Your Triggers or Do They Control You?

What I’m exploring here might upset people with various triggers. But please read on.

Photo by Nik on Unsplash

I’m all for warning about content. Some people have sensitivities that should be acknowledged and addressed as such. I think it’s good to be sensitive to this.

Now I’m going to get controversial. Some people will do everything in their power to avoid their triggers. I get that, I really do. I have some triggers, too.

But this becomes problematic because avoiding triggers allows them to continue to trigger you.

Some might argue that triggers simply are and should be respected as such. But I don’t buy that — particularly having dealt with/dealing with my own. Triggers can cease to trigger you — but only when and if you address them.

This is not an easy process. And in some instances, particularly with serious trauma, this should only be done with a trained professional guiding you (i.e., a psychologist, social worker, psychiatrist, or other trained therapist).

Avoiding your triggers will leave them the ability to trigger you. That’s the long and short of it. Hence, addressing, recognizing, and acknowledging what triggers you is key to taking control. With that…