Something that causes stress is known as a(n)

a. activator

b. trigger

c. stressor

d. distressor

The situation that causes stress is known as a C. stressor.

Further Explanation

Letter A and B are both wrong because activator and trigger mean the same thing. Letter D is irrelevant to the subject .

Trigger or activator is anything that is perceived by the five senses (sight, sound, touch, taste and smell) that is directly linked to an actual traumatic event experienced.  It triggers a flashback or a reaction that is similar to the original response during the actual trauma

Stressor is any variable that causes stress. It creates an increase in energy or adrenaline that then activates the person's mental stress response mechanism.  

Trigger/activator VS. Stressor  

Imagine a PTSD Cup model, this is a buildup of stressors or can be just one stressor. When this cup eventually overflows it will trigger a stress response.  

Imagine an iceberg of emotions, this is a buildup of negative emotion that peaks to a response usually in the form of anger.

The most common reaction to both a trigger and to a stressor is an increase in stress or a panic attack. While the reaction is the same for the person with PTSD and a person who has a buildup of negative emotions the terms differ depending upon the context to which something is experienced: whether linked to the trauma experienced or has no connection to the trauma experienced .

Example of Trigger and Stressor

Bryan was a battered child verbally and physically abused by his mother, a middle aged woman who used loud harsh words and inflicted violence on him.

Any form of violence may trigger Bryan upon seeing it. This could result to a flashback or panic attack. This is a trigger as it is directly related to his specific circumstance surrounding his trauma. A sound of an agonizing cry will trigger him because of the memory of how he cried back then whereas a soundless cry is not a trigger .His girlfriend talking to him and annoying him is not a trigger but a stressor to his internal stress cup, thus his internal stress model overflows and leads to a stress response like anger, yelling, fighting, etc.

Learn more:

Stress Trauma

Keywords: Stress, Stressor, Trauma

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It’s either a or b hope this