Triggers
What are triggers? An anger trigger is a word or behavior that produces a quick and angry response. It “sets someone off.”
Anger triggers are different for everyone. A person’s triggers are based on personal experiences, cultural expectations, or even gender.
If you know what your triggers are, you can either try to avoid situations that you know will make you angry or you can make a plan for how you will react the next time you are “triggered” so that you are responding in a healthy way and not reacting in an unhealthy way.
Some common triggers include:
Name calling (at you or your loved ones), cursing, or being shouted at
Not being listened to
Being bullied or made fun of (especially around coworkers or classmates)
Losing at a sport or game
Being labeled
Physical threats
Excessive or annoying noises
Being lied about or lied to
Experiencing disappointment
Violation of personal space
Being ignored
Certain smells
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Thought patterns can also trigger anger. A thought pattern is a familiar way of thinking. Sometimes things like frustrating people or situations can cause you to be angry. Other times, it has more to do with a negative thought pattern. Our thought patterns don't always have an external trigger, so it can also be helpful to identify thoughts that lead to anger.