It’s been frustrating to watch words like “triggered,” “trauma,” and “traumatised” become trendy buzzwords.
I understand that we’re in a time where mental health is finally being talked about more openly.
That’s important. That matters.
But when serious words are casually thrown around to describe everyday annoyances — like:
- “I’m traumatised because my coffee order was wrong”
- “That song triggered me because it’s cringey”
…it waters down what those words actually mean.
What Trauma Really Feels Like
For those of us living with trauma, it’s not quirky.
It’s not a punchline.
It’s not a dramatic twist to make a story more interesting.
It’s:
- Living in a body that doesn’t feel safe
- Experiencing panic from a sound, a smell, or a phrase
- Being transported back to a moment you never wanted to relive
- Shutting down in loud rooms
- Feeling like your skin remembers war zones even in peaceful places
What Being “Triggered” Actually Means
Being truly triggered is not just uncomfortable — it’s destabilising.
It can:
- Derail your entire day or week
- Involve flashbacks and dissociation
- Elicit deep fear, shame, and emotional shutdown
- Leave you feeling lost, numb, or unsafe without warning
It’s not being mildly annoyed.
It’s reliving pain your body and brain haven’t fully let go of.
Why Language Matters
When people use trauma-related words to describe minor inconveniences, it doesn’t just sound careless — it makes it harder for those of us living through the real thing to speak up.
Because the more these words are misused, the more they lose their weight.
And for many of us, those words carry us.
They give shape to what we’re still healing.
They give us permission to name the impact, not just the event.
This Isn’t About Gatekeeping Mental Health
This isn’t about telling people what they can or can’t say.
It’s about honouring the weight of language — and the people who carry it.
So maybe next time the word “traumatised” or “triggered” comes to mind, we pause.
We ask:
Am I describing real pain — or just discomfort?
Because for some of us, that distinction isn’t about semantics.
It’s about survival.
With care,
Ness
Traversing Trauma 
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