Now one of the most “fashionable” and widely replicated concepts, not only in psychology, but also in the field of social interactions, is a trigger. Familiar word, isn’t it? Especially when you consider that today it sounds from almost every «iron». Triggers are called certain actions, phenomena or events, as well as people and things that in themselves are capable of provoking a certain reaction in a person, often in no way connected with the direct meaning of the “provocateur” itself.
The trigger or trigger for starting a panic attack, for example, can be a regular red balloon (like from the movie It) or the sounds of a working drill. And what can become such a trigger mechanism for the manifestation of one of the most mysterious mental illnesses — schizophrenia?
Accidents are not accidental
Imagine that a certain person, who lived to be over 40 years old, never experienced mental problems. Without any problems, he received a license and even a permit for a weapon, went through dozens of medical examinations, served in the army … And suddenly, like a wave, he is covered with an acute attack of schizophrenia with all the consequences. Is this possible and what caused such a sharp manifestation of the disease?
Some scientists tend to see the main cause of schizophrenia as a mutation at the gene level, or, more simply, heredity. It should also be alert that the mother had a history of infectious diseases during pregnancy that can provoke pathologies of fetal development associated with the risk of developing schizophrenia.
In adulthood, the main causes of the manifestation of diseases can be insomnia, severe stress, excessive physical and mental stress. But these are the reasons, and what is able to start the process of the development of the disease? Force her to show herself when a person least expects it?
Reaction to a stimulus
The trigger mechanism for many mental illnesses, including schizophrenia, according to psychiatrists, lies in the system of personal fears, mental trauma and stress reactions. A fragment of a nightmare suddenly seen in reality may well become the very trigger for the development of an acute mental state. Experienced but not worked through childhood trauma associated with physical abuse can result in an attack after watching a thematic video or a fragment of a feature film that duplicates a traumatic situation.
Thus, it is safe to say that virtually anything can trigger the self-destruction mechanism. But do not think that schizophrenia can occur completely from scratch. Most often, a diagnosis in adulthood is just a consequence of the patient being underexamined at an early stage of the disease.
It is impossible to completely eliminate such catalysts from human life, but it is possible to minimize the risk of manifestation of the disease by adhering to a healthy lifestyle and giving up addictions. In addition, it is worth paying attention to how labile your own psyche and the psyche of your loved ones are. Resentful, pessimistic, withdrawn people are more likely to end up in a psychiatrist’s office than people with a flexible psyche, outgoing and positive.
That is why a very important factor in successful prevention of mental illness is a positive experience. Whether it’s creativity, contemplation or communication — if it brings pleasure and peace — you should indulge yourself in such moments more often.