Why am I triggered?
Ever wonder why certain moments set off intense emotions? Explore the hidden links between your triggers and past trauma, and learn how to break free from their grip.
Understanding Trauma and its impact
Trauma isn’t just a fleeting moment of pain; it leaves a deep and lasting mark. Dr. Bessel van der Kolk’s research reveals that trauma transforms the mind, brain, and body. Trauma affects not only those experiencing it but also those around them as our capacity for joy diminishes. Trauma can be stored in the body, leading to physical symptoms, emotional disturbances, and even chronic illness. This is why the body often “keeps the score,” making it difficult to leave the past behind as trauma continues to affect our nervous systems and daily lives.
Why do triggers occur?
Life can be filled with moments that unexpectedly evoke intense emotional and physical responses. These triggers might be as subtle as a specific smell, sound, or situation, yet they can provoke overwhelming feelings of terror, anger, grief, shame, anxiety, or sadness, making everyday life difficult to navigate. The intensity of these reactions can be so debilitating that you may find yourself instantly transported back in time, reliving past experiences or feeling engulfed by what others might see as minor events.
A trigger is anything that reminds you of a past traumatic event, causing your brain to perceive a threat even when no real danger exists. This reaction is deeply rooted in emotional memories that your body hasn't fully processed, leading your brain’s amygdala to signal the hypothalamus to initiate the fight, flight, freeze response. This survival mechanism, conditioned by past trauma, reactivates your body’s defence systems whenever similar situations arise, making triggers like echoes from the past that repeatedly pull you into the trauma response.
These triggers can evoke automatic reactions:
Fight: You might feel a surge of anger, aggression, or heightened alertness, as your body prepares to confront the threat.
Flight: You may feel the need to escape, leading to anxiety, restlessness, or the urge to avoid the triggering situation.
Freeze: Your body might become immobilised, leaving you feeling numb, dissociated, or unable to act, as if you’re "stuck" in the moment.
Navigating these responses can be incredibly challenging, but understanding them is the first step towards healing.
“Living with trauma is like carrying an invisible weight, a shadow that lingers in every corner of your life. Each day, you navigate a labyrinth of memories that surface without warning, twisting joy into fear, and turning peace into turmoil. The echoes of what once was are etched deeply into your soul, colouring every experience with shades of the past. It’s a silent battle, fought in the depths of your mind. The struggle to move forward is relentless, as the wounds of yesterday seep into today, making it hard to trust, to love, and to simply be. Yet, within this darkness, there is a quiet strength—a flicker of hope that, despite it all, you can heal and reclaim your life.”
— Jo
Your journey to healing
Living with the unpredictability of your triggers doesn’t have to be your permanent reality. I understand the profound impact trauma can have on your life.
My approach, grounded in the latest trauma research and techniques like Deep Brain Reorienting, Internal Family Systems, yoga, and somatic awareness, is designed to help you process and release the trauma affecting your health and wellbeing.
“Your past doesn’t have to define your future.”
How does it work?
Dr. Frank Corrigan’s work with Deep Brain Reorienting (DBR) provides a groundbreaking approach to healing trauma. DBR focuses on the brain’s response to traumatic experiences, particularly the brainstem and the associated deep-seated responses that drive trauma-related symptoms. This method helps to reorient the brain's responses to these traumatic memories, allowing for a deeper, more profound healing process. When combined with therapies like Internal Family Systems (IFS) and somatic awareness, DBR offers a powerful pathway to release the trauma stored within the body and brain.
Richard Schwartz’s Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy provides a unique approach by helping you connect with different parts of yourself, understanding and healing the inner conflicts that trauma creates. Alongside this, practices such as yoga and somatic awareness help you to build a stronger, more compassionate connection with your body, further aiding in the healing journey.
Healing from trauma requires more than just talking about it.
Are you ready to start your healing journey? I invite you to book a free initial consultation to discuss your triggers and discover how I can support you in overcoming trauma and reclaiming your life.