Triggered (psychological trigger)

Type: Concept

As of November 2026, Triggered (psychological trigger) has been mentioned in one podcast episode on Watch What Crappens (Dec 2025).

A trauma trigger is a psychological stimulus that prompts involuntary recall of a previous traumatic experience, typically in the form of a flashback to that overwhelming prior experience. The stimulus itself need not be frightening or traumatic and may be only indirectly or superficially reminiscent of an earlier traumatic incident, such as a scent or a piece of clothing. Triggers can be subtle, individual, and difficult for others to predict. A trauma trigger may also be called a trauma stimul