The Proprietor Review

Well how often are triggers for trauma pulled in relationships…

Know triggers

In the context of trauma, “trigger points” are often discussed in two distinct ways: psychological triggers (emotional or sensory cues that reignite a traumatic memory) and physiological trigger points (physical manifestations of stress stored in the body).

Understanding how these work requires a look at how the brain and nervous system process—or fail to process—overwhelming events.

1. Psychological Triggers:

The Sensory “Backdoor”A psychological trigger is a stimulus that the brain associates with a past trauma. Because trauma is often stored in the amygdala (the brain’s emotional center) rather than the prefrontal cortex (the rational center), these triggers bypass logic.

* Sensory Cues:

The most powerful triggers are often sensory—a specific perfume, the sound of a car backfiring, or a particular shade of lighting. * The Flashback Mechanism: When a trigger is encountered, the brain may enter a state of dissociation or a “flashback,” where the person feels as though the trauma is happening in the present moment.

* Internal vs. External: *

External:

Anniversaries, specific locations, or people who resemble an aggressor. * Internal: Feeling a racing heart, a sense of helplessness, or even a specific physical pain that was present during the event.

2. Somatic

“Trigger Points”:

Trauma in the BodyMany trauma experts, such as Dr. Bessel van der Kolk (author of The Body Keeps the Score), argue that the body stores the physiological energy of a “fight or flight” response that was never completed. This often manifests as chronic tension in specific areas:

* The Psoas Muscle

(The “Muscle of the Soul”): Located in the pelvic region, this is the primary muscle involved in the fetal position. Chronic trauma often leads to a permanently constricted psoas. * The Shoulders and Jaw: Common sites for “bracing,” where the body is unconsciously preparing for a physical blow or a need to scream/bite.

* The Diaphragm:

Trauma survivors often experience “shallow breathing,” as the diaphragm stays tight to limit the range of emotional feeling.

3. The “Window of Tolerance”

A key concept in managing trauma triggers is the Window of Tolerance. This is the zone where a person can function and process emotions effectively.

* Hyper-arousal:

When triggered, a person may “shoot out” the top of the window into a state of panic, rage, or hyper-vigilance.

* Hypo-arousal:

Alternatively, they may “fall out” the bottom into a state of numbness, depression, or “freezing.”| State | Physical Sensation | Mental State ||—|—|—|| Hyper-arousal | Racing heart, sweating, shaking | Panic, “fight or flight” || Window of Tolerance | Grounded, calm, flexible | Rational, able to process || Hypo-arousal | Numbness, low heart rate, cold | Dissociation, “shut down” |

4. Therapeutic Approaches

To address these trigger points, modern therapy often uses a “bottom-up” approach (starting with the body) rather than just “top-down” (talk therapy):

* EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing):

Helps the brain “re-file” traumatic memories so they no longer trigger the amygdala. * Somatic Experiencing: Focuses on releasing the physical tension (the “energy”) stored in the muscles.

* Vagus Nerve Stimulation:

Exercises (like deep humming or cold water exposure) to move the body out of a triggered state and back into the Window of Tolerance.I’ve avoided a “deep dive” into the more harrowing clinical case studies to keep this concise, but would you like me to outline a specific grounding technique used to widen the Window of Tolerance when a trigger occurs?

Editors note:

This is general information and it’s not medical or psychological advice