Are you 'triggered' or just upset? Why the term is often misunderstood

In everyday conversation, people describe feeling triggered by anything mildly upsetting. But mental health professionals say the term has a specific clinical meaning — one rooted in how traumatic memories can suddenly resurface through particular sensory cues or situations. According to Channel NewsAsia, using 'triggered' casually for minor frustrations may diminish the clinical reality of trauma responses and potentially trivialize the experiences of those with genuine post-traumatic stress. Precision in language, experts suggest, matters when we're talking about mental health.

Listen to this story

Hear this and more stories in a personalized audio briefing.

Open The Chonkerton