Trigger-Happy vs. Bag of Onions, AKA Dr. Who is my Favorite Therapist
I'm about to add "trigger" to the list of catchphrases that should be retired due to misleading connotations. I've seen the term used by people (read: internet trolls) whose only goal is to cause reactions for the purpose of some creepy short-term gratification. Triggers can be personal and polarizing: mention the poet Robert Frost and I'm triggered immediately, because how you feel about him is going to impact how I feel about you. The concept of trigger in therapy has been extremely useful for people who have difficulty navigating every-day life. Using the word this way implies an element of surprise: something new sets off a knee-jerk reaction founded in an unrelated traumatic event. Therapy can help you create a tool that works to keep you in control of yourself when you're triggered. The phenomenon I'm talking about here needs a different word. It's not a trigger; it does not present as surprise. It's the thing ...