I found this at bipolarcentral, about triggers: What is a Trigger? | Psych Central

It says that a trigger is something -- "retriggering" -- that brings back feelings and memories of trauma, such a ptsd.

I have things that I thought were triggers, but have nothing to do with retriggering of trauma. The Movie thread I started and several of us are discussing, talks about being triggered by certain types of movies, and actually being in the presence of a movie that triggers us. I'm triggered by a movie I don't like, no matter what the subject matter is. I feel trapped by some other person trying to pressure me into watching a movie with him or her.

What are these feelings? Are they triggers even though they have nothing to do with past traumatic events?

If you feel "trapped" I'd say you are being emotionally triggered. Perhaps you don't even know or remember why....but it probably comes from somewhere. Maybe I'm wrong though....this is just how I see it.

Thanks, ElsaMars. Yes, I am being emotionally triggered. But I sure don't know of any situation in my childhood where, for example, I was locked in a dark closet or something like that. But there were situations where I was trapped -- just not in the dark. So my question still is -- can a trigger be an emotional trigger without being tied into trauma?

I would say yes. For instance, my husbands never been raped, but he's extremely triggered by rape scenes in movies...he will get up and leave...screaming about how sickening and unessessary the scene was....he will stay "in a mood" for a long time afterwards.....hours and sometime through the next day.

It's weird how trauma works. You might have been trapped in a different way....emotionally trapped in a situation....something which made you feel stuck and not in control.....so now, anytime you feel trapped, you exercise your right to control that emotion and leave....something you perhaps couldn't do in the past. I'm not saying this is the case, just explaining how trauma and coping mechanisms can develop in unique ways and for different reasons.

[JustJace2u]

I get triggered almost every time I get in my car to have to drive somewhere. I know it stems from a car crash that nearly killed me almost 7 years ago.

[Espurr1989]

I don't have trauma in my past, but sometimes I can get triggered by things that are too noisy or chaotic, or too much action going on. Sometimes if three things are asking for my attention at the same time, I feel triggered. When I say this, I basically mean my anxiety goes up really fast and my mood goes down and can stay down for a while depending on what happens next. I think their definition is too narrow, but maybe I have been using the term wrong for two years.

Originally Posted by Espurr1989

I think their definition is too narrow, but maybe I have been using the term wrong for two years.

I read the article and noted that while it was highly relatable, it was more relatable on some things than others. Then I noticed that the article is from U. of Alberta sexual assault center. The content that is written would make sense in light of that. Seeing trigger in terms of clear incident or incidents that produced PTSD.

But as ElsaMars points out, it's not always that obvious where trauma stems from.

You mention being trapped. Whether or not it was light or dark may not matter. You want to leave the situation, but are feeling trapped (if only by social convention). Then whatever emotion causes you to want to leave is amplified by then feeling "compelled" to stay and endure it.

I can't say definitively if that's a trigger or not, but I do think that the article -- while excellent -- could maybe be a little narrow in describing trigger simply because of where they're coming from.

Very intelligent and thoughtful comments, Innerzone! Thank for these insights! Makes a lot of sense to me.

[DaveyJones]

I would say that a trigger doesn't necessarily have to relate to a past trauma. As an example, the stress of watching my grandkids today has triggered a bipolar episode for me... Triggering is why PC asks that we don't post suicidal ideation in the depression forum. In other words, certain things can trigger a worsening in a person's illness.

2 biggist triggers for me: family, and fire

both need to go die

[bioChE]

Triggers for BP episodes/feelings definitely do not necessarily need to relate to past trauma. One of my biggest triggers is lack of sleep, and it has nothing to do with my past, it just sends my brain chemistry into a tizzy.

Yes, tizzy is the right word.

DaveyJones and shattered sanity, thank you for your comments. Shattered, family is a big trigger for me, too! Not fire, as I have not experienced fire as an enemy. A man I was married to did, though. DaveyJones, your experience looking after your grandkids is why I never had kids of my own. I love kids, and was a school teacher but guess what -- at the end of the day they all went home! 24 hours a day of kids is not something I could ever do. For one thing, I need a ton of sleep, and would malfunction of the baby/kids would wake me up at night.