Why are you triggered

Root cause analysis

When we are growing and learning to adult, we use tools for self-analysis, to become more self-aware, and not knee-jerk through life.

Your triggers are an indication that whatever has happened to trigger you has reminded you of something significant and unresolved that happened in your past.

For example, when you feel disrespected by someone's actions to the point that you want to do something to hurt them, this is an indication of debt owed to your inner child that relates to respect.

During objective evaluation of a trigger, you are like a doctor trying to work out a diagnosis using a set of symptoms (SIFT) you are presenting with, together with your story or trigger and pre-triggers.

Root cause analysis is trying to find a diagnosis for your trigger. The root cause is an unmet need. However, it is helpful to look at the bigger picture before rushing to pick up an unmet need that resonates with you.

In order to identify why you feel strongly about something or why you feel triggered, start with owning your experience after your reactions or discomfort. Invite back and welcome the discomfort of your trigger and feel your sensations and emotions. Listen to your thoughts and identify mental images for a symptom picture.

Next, ask yourself why you feel so strongly about the situation and answer with facts. Facts can also be what you are feeling.

"I am angry because he has not called me and I am thinking that he might be with someone else." In which case, it is worth exploring where did you learn that if someone is not answering, they are with someone else?

The idea of root cause of your triggers is to find out where you first learnt that belief if it is a cognitive distortion. Therein lies the way to your unmet needs, which are the reason you are triggered.

Sometimes one why is enough for root cause, other times you need 5 Whys to dig deeper.

Whys need to focus on why you are feeling, thinking or doing what you are doing.

When you understand your root cause of your behaviour, it is easy to take responsibility, as you identify that the situation itself might not have the same impact, had you not brought your past into it.

Once you have taken the route of objective evaluation of triggers, you take responsibility for your self-parenting and administer solutions.

SIFTSEM is a solution focused, emotional regulation and cognitive restructuring tool.

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