07/02/2023
Let's talk about triggers. Last night, I was sitting on a balcony overlooking the river valley waiting for Canada Day fireworks. Everyone loves some good fireworks, right? Well, no, actually. Fireworks can be very difficult for people who have experienced war. Triggers are stimuli that remind our brains of past trauma. Those reminders can come in the form of sights, sounds, smells, feelings, etc. When we get those reminders, our bodies start to react like we are back in that other place. Our heart rate may increase; we might start sweating; it might be hard to breathe; we might feel panicky or angry. Reexperiencing through flashbacks, nightmares, or sensations is symptomatic of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Treatment with ART (accelerated resolution therapy) or EMDR can help with processing past trauma to reduce these symptoms and improve quality of life.