To ask what 'triggering' means on a thread?

[Jillspa]

I'm fairly new to MN, and I see this on loads of threads - I think I've got some sort of idea, but could someone please explain it to me?

Thanks

The writer thinks there is something on the thread which could set off an extreme emotional reaction in someone else.

It means that the content could trigger a traumatic emotional response in some readers who may have experienced something within the content.

Don't really see the need for it when it is abundantly clear from the title what the thread is about.

Ah - that's what I thought it meant - but thanks for explaining more fully.

It's also very overused.

'Does my cat look sad? ' etc.

Some poster started a thread and had a picture of a buttered crumpet in it last week. Apparently she should have had 'trigger warning' for those scared of holes...no, me either

The two last examples made me laugh!

I didnt' realise it was so overused - I've basically seen it in relation to things like eating disorders etc - tbh - I don't often open threads with WARNING - TRIGGERING on them because I generally like the more lighthearted threads (not because I would find them triggering /traumatic as such)

I appreciate the warning people put on spider photo threads!!
Thanks!

the request for a 'trigger' warning on the crumpet thread made me proper lol