Have you ever had an experience that reminded you so powerfully of something else that you could remember everything about the original event? When people have survived a traumatic event, a small thing can bring a memory flooding back. These triggers can be a smell, sound, emotion, gesture, or even a single word.

If you ask someone what they had for lunch last Tuesday, they may struggle to remember. However, in North America, asking someone what they were doing on 9/11 brings a barrage of memories, just as the assassination of John F. Kennedy did for the generation before. On a more pleasant note, if you hear the first line of a poem that you had to memorize in school and then find yourself reciting the entire verse, you have also just responded to a trigger.

Triggers are a powerful reminder when it comes to anger. A trigger can bring a memory of an argument or conflict flooding back, and all the physical effects (such as an increase in your heart rate, flushed face, or tense muscles) also recur. Even if you are not in the midst of the conflict, but observe it, the trigger can stimulate your memory.

Being aware of your triggers and how you behave when they occur are important steps in learning healthier behaviors.