Depression and Triggers



As I have expressed through most of my posts, depression is a relentless disease. Even when the depressed individual is feeling well, compliant with their medication and seems to be making strides; triggers can derail the significant progress. It is imperative to identify and strategize around your triggers.

Unfortunately, these triggers can cause the depressed individual to have a lengthy setback. Triggers are a reminder of an event, circumstance, memory, behavior or situation that caused pain. A trigger could be hearing a name, listening to a song, coming face to face with someone or just being reminded of a decision you made.

It is necessary to actually try to plan a specific response to a trigger. Perhaps, a trigger is set off; when a song is played. The strategy could be to change the channel if you are in the car, leave the room if it will continue to play or change your thought process immediately. The key is to have an instant response and action to hearing the song. The next step is to change the negative association you have to the song. This can be achieved by thinking about something that brings you joy; when the triggers occurs immediately switch your thought pattern to that time of joy.

In order to stay ahead of depression you must be prepared to handle the situation that triggers your sad and debilitating mood.

Remember, “Giving up is NEVER an option.”