The Baffling Behavior Show {Parenting after Trauma} EP 223: What a Trigger REALLY Is
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May 27, 2025 Discover the fascinating science behind triggers and why they can suddenly take over our emotions. The discussion reveals how unresolved memories impact our parenting responses. Learn practical strategies to ground yourself and reconnect with your children amidst challenging moments. Dive into the ripple effect of parenting challenges and their positive influence on society. Plus, explore a supportive community designed for parents, packed with resources to navigate the complexities of raising children with unique needs.
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What Being Triggered Really Means
- Being triggered means reacting to an unprocessed implicit memory from the past as if it's happening now.
- Traumatic memories can become fragmented and lack the explicit timestamp, causing this confusion in the present moment.
Prefrontal Cortex Shuts Down
- During a trigger, the prefrontal cortex disconnects, shutting down reflective thinking.
- This neurological shutdown leads to immediate, survival-driven reactions instead of thoughtful responses.
Triggers Flood Present With Past
- Being triggered is different from simply feeling uncomfortable; it's when past trauma flooding loses our grounding in the present.
- We react as if the past crisis is happening now, unaware that we are triggered.
