How To Identify Your Emotional Triggers

Just about everyone has some emotional triggers, though these might look a little different from person to person.

They might include reminders of unwanted memories, uncomfortable topics, another person’s words or actions, even your own behaviors.

Common situations that trigger intense emotions include:

• rejection

• betrayal

• unjust treatment

• challenged beliefs

• helplessness or loss of control

• being excluded or ignored

• disapproval or criticism

• feeling unwanted or unneeded

• feeling smothered or too needed

• insecurity

• loss of independence

Listen to your mind and body

A key step in learning to recognize your triggers involves paying attention when situations generate a strong emotional response.

Beyond surging emotions, you might also experience some physical symptoms of anxiety, like:

• pounding heart

• upset stomach

• shakiness or dizziness

• sweaty palms

Step back

When you notice these signs, stop to consider what just happened and the response it activated.

Say you spent the afternoon deep cleaning your apartment and rearranging the living room. When your partner gets home from work, you wait excitedly for them to comment.