What made the term "trigger" really take off?

[Orrex]

This is an honest question, rather than snark.

I swear that, in the context of traumatic experiences, I've encountered the term "trigger" more in the past week than in the previous four decades. This is anecdotal, I admit, but even on DU it seems to have gained particular momentum in recent days, whether it's about the sleepwalking underwear statue, a video about oppressed majority, Dylan Farrow, or any of a dozen other topics. A quick search of DU in months past shows that its use was much more limited even a few weeks ago.

I don't doubt that the term has enjoyed a longer history in specific circles, but I'm struck by its sudden surge in general usage.

I think that it's a powerfully effective and evocative term. Any idea what accounts for the recent uptick?


Just curious.

[LiberalEsto]

1. I think the pervasive gun culture is the source

although I was going to be funny and blame it on Roy Rogers 's horse from the 1950s.

No matter if one is pro-gun or anti-gun, a big part of the national conversation is very focused on guns

[seabeyond]

2. awareness... sensitivity to others, their experience and pain.

knowledge that words could be said, not all want to hear, and might need to not participate in the thread.

they clue in for me was when we had a poster basically admit to rape when he was a teen and the threads that pawned off those. lots and lots of insensitivity thru lack of knowledge adn understanding.

the rape porn threads were another.

i was listening to the woman and yes... some men speaking out about the pain in seeing these threads

how they could not appreciate

and how grateful they were those that could speak out in those threads.

education.....

[reusrename]

3. Nothing to add.

Except now I'm curious too.

[ScreamingMeemie]

4. Criminal Minds.

[Brickbat]

5. It illustrates an increased focus on issues that are triggering.

Which is a good thing. It's a very common term that's been in use for years in many circles.

[siligut]

6. "I think that it's a powerfully effective and evocative term"

The uptick may be explained just due to its potency and thus others are willing to readily adopt its usage. Because, as you stated, the term has been used in professions which deal with traumatic experiences and abuse for as long as I can remember.

[cinnabonbon]

7. It's been around for years

DU is just a little late in catching on. The reason you've seen it around recently is because we're finally talking about rape victims and the things that are often said to them - and in particular, common questions and expressions that reminds them of their assault.

Because unfortunately, the mind is like a gun after you've been raped (or been to war, or have been in a particularly mentally scarring event). Say the wrong thing, and you hit the trigger and all the hurt comes back to you.

[redqueen]

9. This. nt

[maddezmom]

8. Would be nice if everyone used it in the title about those items mentioned in your OP

In the same way "graphic" warning are used so people that need to could add "trigger" to their trash list.

[el_bryanto]

10. One theory - did it start because of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder?

I could be way off base but I think that phenomenon first reached public awareness in relation to soldiers coming back from wars? So Trigger makes a bit of sense in that context.

Bryant

[pinboy3niner]

11. The real resurgence probably came decades ago among VN vets

Vets and mental health professionals dealing with PTSD have long used 'triggers' routinely to refer to things--sights, sounds, smells, anniversary dates--that evoke traumatic expeience and lead to reactions that are problematic.

That was when awareness about war trauma--as well as other kinds of psychological trauma--began to increase.

[Orrex]

12. That sounds reasonable to me, and I've heard it in that context

What really got my attention was its more widespread recent use.

If the term applies to a range of traumas--as it certainly appears to--then by all means let's use it!

[bemildred]

13. I like that. I remember such talk back in Vietnam.

I had a friend that would wake up in the night and think he was in the middle of a fire fight or the like. Drove his wife nuts.

In the current context it's a way to try to dramatize that people should be more sensitive about how they use language, which is a good thing. Though I don't think it would be wise to get too anal about it. You piss people off, they stop listening.

[wickerwoman]

15. It's been common in pop psychology and particularly addiction treatment

since at least the 80s.

Certain foods or situations trigger overeating. Alcoholics have triggers, etc.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

14. You know how, when you buy a car and seems like, all of a sudden, everyone else on the road

is driving the same car. Well, it is like that.

awareness.

the term has been around for a very long time you have just become aware of it in context of certain subjects.

Origin of TRIGGER
alteration of earlier tricker, from Dutch trekker, from Middle Dutch trecker one that pulls, from trecken to pull — more at trek
First Known Use: 1621

noun \ˈtri-gər\
: a lever on a gun that you pull to fire the gun
: something that causes something else to happen

more at link:
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trigger

[Orrex]

16. LOL. I wondered about that, in fact.

Obviously the word has been around for centuries, but in this particular usage I''ve seen an unusual increase in its use in this particular context.

Even if it's simply a matter of increased awareness, I have to wonder what led to that increase...

[Tuesday Afternoon]

17. because, if you have limited your information gathering process to DU, then you understand

how far behind this place is on awareness/context of certain subjects.

this place is so *19th century* on the type of conversations that involve such a large segment of the population.

boggles my mind.