Psychotherapists’ views on triggering factors for psychological disorders

Abstract

Triggering factors play an important role in the development of psychological disorders. Practicing psychotherapists have valuable knowledge on psychological disorders and since their views on triggering factors have not been reported in the literature, triggers were addressed in this study from psychotherapists’ perspectives. The following three main issues were examined: definitions of triggers, examples of the most recurrent triggers and the idea of a common trigger for psychological disorders. Sixteen psychotherapists agreed to participate in the study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted in person and the data collected were analyzed using frame analysis. Frame analysis aims at representing the data through frames or groups that indicate different interpretations of the same topic. The results showed that the therapists provided three definitions of triggering factors. They most often defined triggers as events, occurrences or situations that explain the onset of psychological symptoms. The psychotherapists also provided examples of triggering factors: these were grouped into three frames, interpersonal, environmental and trauma. The therapists identified no single common trigger, although they discussed common categories and connections between different triggering factors. The findings indicate that triggering factors are complex and closely connected to personal vulnerabilities, as different events and circumstances act as triggers for different individuals. Future research could expand on these findings by examining the constituents of individual vulnerabilities.

Defining dignity in higher education as an alternative to requiring ‘Trigger Warnings’

“…The most recurrent triggering factors were in the domain of ‘interpersonal’ relationships (Riachi et al, 2022). The most likely emotional reactions to surface in students are anger, fear, sadness and shame (Riachi et al, 2022). The two emotional extremes to be evoked are either feeling too much (overwhelmed) or too little (numb) emotion (Riachi et al, 2022).…”

“…The most likely emotional reactions to surface in students are anger, fear, sadness and shame (Riachi et al, 2022). The two emotional extremes to be evoked are either feeling too much (overwhelmed) or too little (numb) emotion (Riachi et al, 2022). Unlike the academic environment the CLE triggers are often difficult to predict.…”

“…A 'Trigger' is defined as 'events, occurrences or situations that explain the onset of psychological symptoms (Riachi et al, 2022)'.…”

“…In explicit terms, these triggering factors were seen as circumstances or events that students would be exposed to. The most recurrent triggering factors were in the domain of 'interpersonal' relationships (Riachi et al, 2022). The most likely emotional reactions to surface in students are anger, fear, sadness and shame (Riachi et al, 2022).…”

“…A ‘Trigger’ is defined as ‘events, occurrences or situations that explain the onset of psychological symptoms (Riachi et al, 2022)’. They have insight into their own thinking (and feeling) processes.…”