Don’t Pull the Trigger

Sometimes all it takes is a word or simple event and our thoughts and emotions are off to the races. DAVID RICHO on the fear that’s behind our triggers—and the antidote to it.

SOMEONE SAYS SOMETHING to us, and we are suddenly struck with a sinking feeling in our stomach. Someone does something, and we become instantly enraged or alarmed. Someone comes at us with a certain attitude, and we go to pieces. We hear mention of a person, place, or thing that is associated with an unresolved issue or a past trauma, and we immediately feel ourselves seize up with sadness, anger, fear, or shame. When