I've never been that fond of the word "trigger", since it can imply that its invocation occurs as the unstoppable flipping of a switch -- and while it can indeed feel quite automatic, reinforcing the idea with the language hardly seems helpful.

What you've so kindly and thoughtfully just written, OpenEyes, caused me to ponder how much more creatively we might consider their existence if we simply referred to them as navigational trauma checkpoints, or something along those lines.. as they are merely directing us to where the pain is located as you say, however dramatically, and getting into a space of observation instead of reaction will be, I believe, a key component for me. If I can pull it off that is.

Because I'm certainly not saying that I don't at times feel abso-*$%^ing-lutely, unstoppably triggered. I can't even peel myself off the ceiling most of the times it happens. But I've just got to fix it. Even if I have to create a cognitive distortion or few to do it! But let's hope it doesn't come to that.

Thank you.