Triggering

Triggering refers to the experience of an emotional or physiological response caused by exposure to reminders of a traumatic event or stressor. It is not a diagnosis, but a feature of trauma-related conditions such as PTSD. Triggers can be external, such as sights, sounds, smells, or people, or internal, such as memories, thoughts, or bodily sensations. For many people, triggers are unpredictable and vary over time.

When triggered, people may experience distress, intrusive memories, flashbacks, anxiety, or physical symptoms like rapid heartbeat or dizziness. Triggers activate the brain's fear network and memory systems, linking current cues to past trauma. They are not chosen or conscious; they arise involuntarily.

Coping strategies include grounding techniques, controlled breathing, safe orientation to the present, and reaching out to trusted friends or clinicians. Therapy, particularly trauma-focused approaches, may reduce trigger sensitivity and improve coping over time. Individuals may benefit from a personalized safety plan and clear communication about triggers in social or work settings.

In computing, a trigger is an automatic action executed in response to a specified database event, such as insert, update, or delete. It is used to enforce data integrity, enforce business rules, or maintain audit trails. Triggers can be defined within a database management system or by event-driven programming constructs.