Summary: <p>Triggers and Cravings</p> <p>CEUs are available on demand for this podcast at <a href="https://www.allceus.com/member/cart/index/product/id/19/c/">https://www.allceus.com/member/cart/index/product/id/19/c/</a></p> <p>Dr. Dawn-Elise Snipes PhD, LPC-MHSP, LMHC<br> Executive Director, AllCEUs.com<br> Objectives<br> ~ Define a trigger<br> ~ Discuss the function of triggers<br> ~ Explore triggers for mental health symptoms<br> ~ Explore how triggers lead to cravings and obsessive thinking<br> ~ Explore the concept of stimulus generalization</p> <p>What is a trigger<br> ~ Physical or cognitive stimulus<br> ~ Which causes a physical or cognitive reaction<br> ~ To either repeat (pleasure) or avoid (pain) the stimulus<br> ~ Any pleasurable stimulus is associated with elevated dopamine levels<br> ~ Any painful or distressing stimuli trigger the fight or flight reaction<br> What is a Trigger<br> ~ The same trigger can be positive or negative depending on the:<br> ~ Frequency of the reinforcement/punishment<br> ~ Intensity of the reinforcement/punishment</p> <p>Goals<br> ~ Trigger<br> ~ Competing response (IMPROVE, ACCEPTS)<br> ~ Eliminate/counter condition trigger<br> ~ Approaches<br> ~ Continue the chain:<br> ~ Trigger Depression Coping Skills (competing response)<br> ~ Break the chain<br> ~ Eliminate the trigger (cognitive distortions, low self-esteem)<br> ~ Eliminate the negative aspects of the trigger (bridge, Kenny, source of resentment or determination)</p> <p>Unconditioned triggers<br> ~ Purpose: Generally survival<br> ~ Sight—bright sun, something (ball, fist) headed to your face, inability to access caregiver<br> ~ Sound—loud noise, heartbeat<br> ~ Smell—pleasant, noxious<br> ~ Touch— pain, temperature, hugs<br> ~ Taste— Pleasant or noxious<br> Conditioned Triggers<br> ~ Conditioned triggers are things that in themselves have no meaning to the person.<br> ~ Sight— Bottle, Snow<br> ~ Sound—Music, Sirens<br> ~ Smell—Smoke, Brownies<br> ~ Touch— Hot stove, wool sweater<br> ~ Taste— Coffee, Reeses ice cream<br> ~ Thought– Lice, Thanksgiving</p> <p>Where do they come from?<br> ~ Learned<br> ~ Experience (Trial and error)<br> ~ Positive/Reward:<br> ~ Brownies Positive feelings<br> ~ Get good sleep More energy, better mood<br> ~ Negative:<br> ~ Brownies Blood sugar crash and upset stomach<br> ~ Getting good sleep Less time with friends<br> Where do they come from?<br> ~ Learned<br> ~ Observation<br> ~ Positive/Rewarding<br> ~ Dad drinks after a hard day gets less angry<br> ~ Dad exercises after a hard day gets less angry<br> ~ Negative/Punishing<br> ~ Dad drinks after a hard day gets a hangover, grumpy the next day<br> ~ Dad exercises after a hard day cant move tomorrow and cranky</p> <p>Where do they come from?<br> ~ Learned<br> ~ Education<br> ~ Positive:<br> ~ Mindfulness increases awareness and reduces stress<br> ~ Sunlight increases vitamin D and improves mood<br> ~ Negative:<br> ~ Mindfulness is exasperating with monkey mind<br> ~ Sunlight increases chances of skin cancer</p> <p>Trigger to Obsession/Compulsion<br> ~ Trigger<br> ~ Pleasure—I really want to do that again because it makes me happy or eliminates pain<br> ~ Smell brownies cant wait for them to be done<br> ~ New relationship & cant wait to see them again<br> ~ Gambling can’t wait to get that big win again<br> ~ Trigger actual or memory of pain/distress hopelessness, helplessness intensification of depression/anxiety/anger or escape<br> Why Do I Care<br> ~ Knowing triggers for the behavior to be eliminated will prevent the client from be</p>
