Trigger
Trigger is a stimulus that elicits a reaction, particularly an intense and usually negative emotional response. In clinical psychology, a trigger is an event or sensation that activates a memory of a past traumatic experience and an accompanying state of emotional arousal, such as anxiety or panic. For individuals with PTSD, triggers can transport the sufferer back to the original trauma, causing flashbacks. In addiction context, a trigger refers to any stimulus that elicits a craving leading to relapse.
The term "trigger" originated from the mechanical device that discharges a firearm. Its metaphorical extension into psychology began with the formalization of PTSD in the DSM-III (1980). Currently, understanding personal triggers is widely accepted as a crucial step in recovery from trauma and anxiety disorders.
Oxford University Press. (2024). Trigger (noun). In Oxford Learner's Dictionary. Retrieved June 8, 2026, from https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/trigger_2.
American Psychological Association (2025) . Trigger. In APA Dictionary of Psychology. Retrieved June 8, 2026, from https://dictionary.apa.org/trigger.