How do you identify what 'triggers' you to become mentally unwell? What are your triggers?

Question

I have to answer this question for myself and I wondered what other peoples triggers are? What do you do to stop yourself being triggered and what do you do to take care of yourself if you are?

Thanks

Answer 1

Some say a chemical imbalance in the brain a lack of serotonin.  You make serotonin when you run or do any lengthy aerobic activity.

Dopamine is the bad one that our modern society causes.  We release that when our instinctive fight or flee reaction is suppressed.  Like your boss wants to "have a minute" and tells you to justify your job around here.  You'd like to beat his face into a bloody pulp, but you say, "no problem, I'll work on that right away."  In the old days you would've fought it out or ran away, either one had to require a lot of aerobic activity.

So to sum up, my triggers: any random song or memory that reminds me of the girl I should've married and my life that should've been, but wasn't.

How do I stop myself from being triggered and what do I to take care of myself if I am:  I eat well (no soda or junk foods mostly very lean foods low in fat).  I stay in great shape, low body fat and maintain my six-pack abs (not easy for someone 47 years-old),  3 sets of 25 pushups, 25 curls per side, 26 shoulder presses per side, and 26 lat pull downs, 3 sets of 50 crunchies, 50 side lifts, 25 vertical leg extensions, 50 side twists, then I run 5 miles in 45 mins.  Makes you forget the pain and feel good for days.

Answer 2

Do you mean events?

The events that trigger me are:

1. Separation (so when someone a friend or bf goes away) - I don't suddenly fall into depression but it causes anxiety

2. Lack of recognition on something - leads to depression

Answer 3

Thanks for asking this question in a way you've helped me!

I find ongoing issues, that drain me in relation to my lack of support regarding matters of my parents a trigger.

In other words my parents are a lot of work to take care of (elderly) and I have no support and no money!

so an event can cause me to bum out, like today.

you've made me think! thanks  

Answer 4

Whenever I start feeling like reaching for my old razor and running it across my skin or i feel like skipping meals and over-exercising, I look around at what I'm doing. Am i reading a magazine with two pound girls on the cover? Am i around people who make me feel bad? Am i watching a TV show about eating disorders? Usually documentaries about self injury or eating disorders are big triggers for me. I try to stay away from them. I try to remind my self how crappy I feel after I slice my wrists or work out until i puke.

Answer 5

I suffer from depression and anxiety and panic attacks.  I wish I knew what my triggers were.  If I did I could probably stop them both.