Trigger Detective
Something that causes a strong emotional reaction is called this.
What is a trigger?
A trigger usually happens at the ______ of a trigger chain.
What is the beginning?
A racing heart, clenched fists, and feeling hot are examples of what?
What are physical/body warning signs?
You lose your phone privileges and become angry. What was the trigger?
What is losing phone privileges?
Name one healthy thing you can do when you notice you're becoming triggered.
Examples include taking space, deep breathing, grounding, talking to someone, or another healthy coping skill.
Being yelled at, losing privileges, or someone making fun of you are examples of these.
What are external triggers?
Complete the chain: Trigger → Thoughts → Feelings → ______
What are urges and reactions?
Thinking “Nobody likes me” after a disagreement is what type of warning sign?
What is a thought warning sign?
Your friend doesn't text you back, you think they're mad at you, and you start worrying. What was the external trigger?
What is your friend not texting back?
True or False: Having a trigger means you have no control over what you do next.
What is false?
A memory or thought that causes a strong emotional reaction can be this type of trigger.
What is an internal trigger?
Someone laughs while you are talking. You think, “They're making fun of me.” What part of the trigger chain is “They're making fun of me”?
What is a thought?
You notice your voice getting louder and you're starting to pace. What is your body telling you?
What is that you may be becoming triggered/escalated?
Staff tells you “no,” you think “Nobody ever lets me do anything,” and you slam the door. What was the trigger?
What is being told no?
Someone says something disrespectful to you. You notice your fists clenching. What is the BEST time to use a coping skill: now or after you explode?
What is now?
Jay gets angry every time he feels like someone is ignoring him. The person ignoring him is the ______; the anger is his emotional response.
What is a trigger?
Maya is corrected by staff → thinks “They're always picking on me” → feels angry → starts yelling. What could Maya change BEFORE getting to the yelling part?
What are her thoughts/reactions or using a coping skill?
True or False: You should wait until you're completely overwhelmed before using a coping skill.
What is false?
You walk into school already tired. Someone makes a joke about you, you feel embarrassed, and then you yell at them. What was the immediate trigger?
What is the person making a joke about you?
Complete the trigger plan: When ______ happens, I notice ______, so I will ______.
What are trigger → warning sign → coping response?
Two people experience the exact same situation but only one becomes upset. What does this demonstrate?
What is that triggers are different for everyone?
Why is identifying your trigger helpful?
What is because it helps you recognize where you can interrupt the chain before your reaction gets bigger?
Why are early warning signs important when dealing with triggers?
What is because recognizing them early gives you a chance to cope or change your response before you escalate?
You hear a song that reminds you of something painful from your past and suddenly feel upset. Nothing bad is happening right now. What triggered the emotion?
What is the song/memory associated with the song?
What is the main goal of knowing your triggers?
What is recognizing them early so you can choose a safer/healthier response?