Emotional Trigger
Affect RegulationDefinition
A stimulus that reliably produces a strong emotional response. Triggers are often connected to past experiences, identity, values, or psychological vulnerabilities.
How It Shows Up Internally
Triggers feel like sudden emotional intensity that seems disproportionate to the situation. You might feel your body react (tightening, heart racing) before you consciously understand why.
Examples
- 1Feeling sudden anger when your competence is questioned
- 2Experiencing shame when reminded of a past failure
- 3Feeling anxiety when encountering uncertainty about the future
Related Modules
Related Patterns
trigger exploitationemotional hijack
Related Terms
Affect Regulation
The process of managing and modifying emotional responses. Affect regulation includes strategies for controlling the intensity, duration, and expression of emotions.
Amygdala Hijack
An immediate, overwhelming emotional response disproportionate to the stimulus. The amygdala (emotional processing center) overrides the prefrontal cortex (rational thinking), leading to reactive rather than responsive behavior.