Dr. Ramani Durvasula is a clinical psychologist who writes extensively about mental health topics, so when she uses the term "triggered," it is not done flippantly — such as to complain that one was "triggered" by a woman's ugly dress. She said that people who misuse the term "trigger" are "doing a disservice to people who are navigating life while managing recollections and reminders of prior traumas. I work with clients with trauma histories, and to be 'triggered' is a very real and disruptive experience."
In the same vein, Dr. Jessica January Behr told Salon by email that "triggers are not just things you don't like or that offend you," adding, "the word trauma and trigger are thrown around very easily these days and while exposure and destigmatization are important, it is also important not to co-opt trauma into the generic colloquial lexicon. It is crucial that words retain their meaning in order to properly identify what it is we experience and what we can do about it."
