Triggers, Fears, and Irritants by Classification of DSM‐5‐TR (English and Ukrainian)

Triggers, Fears, and Irritants by Classification of Mental Disorders

DSM-5-TR (English / Ukrainian)

Below are lists of common triggers (factors or situations to avoid), typical fears (sensitive topics), and other irritants for each DSM-5-TR category. The English category names are given with Ukrainian equivalents.

DSM-5-TR Category (English)	Категорія (Українська)	Triggers – Factors to Avoid	Fears – Sensitive Themes	Other Irritants
Neurodevelopmental Disorders (e.g. autism spectrum disorder, ADHD)	Розлади нейророзвитку (напр. розлад аутистичного спектру, СДУГ)	- Avoid sensory overload (bright lights, loud noises, chaotic environments) - Avoid sudden changes in routine or surroundings (introduce changes gradually) - Do not overwhelm with complex instructions or multiple tasks at once	- Fear of social rejection or being misunderstood by others - Fear of unexpected changes or losing a stable routine - Fear of failure in school or daily tasks due to their difficulties	- Irritation at loud or repetitive noises (constant background chatter, etc.) - Discomfort with unexpected physical touch or invasion of personal space - Frustration when being criticized or teased about their symptoms
Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorders	Розлади шизофренічного спектру та інші психотичні розлади	- Avoid high stress or major emotional turmoil (traumatic news, family conflicts) - Do not allow substance or alcohol use (can trigger psychotic symptoms) - Keep a stable, predictable daily routine (sudden disruptions can precipitate relapse)	- Fear of being persecuted or harmed by others (paranoid ideas) - Fear of losing control over one’s mind or actions - Fear of stigma – being viewed as “crazy” or dangerous by society	- Overwhelming environments with noise or crowds (can increase agitation) - Confronting their delusions head-on or telling them they’re not real (exacerbates paranoia) - Inconsistent caregiving or routines (creates uncertainty and distress)
Bipolar and Related Disorders	Біполярні та пов’язані розлади	- Avoid sleep deprivation or irregular sleep schedules (can trigger mood episodes) - Minimize extreme stress and sudden life changes (e.g. job loss, conflicts) - Avoid alcohol/drug use and even certain medications that may destabilize mood	- Fear of relapse into a manic or depressive episode - Fear of consequences of past manic actions (e.g. ruined finances or relationships) - Fear of being forced into treatment or medication against their will
Depressive Disorders	Депресивні розлади	- Avoid reminders of loss or death (even casual talk about death can worsen despair) - Reduce exposure to highly stressful events or criticism (can deepen depression) - Do not trivialize their feelings or tell them to “snap out of it” (invalidating and triggering)	- Fear of abandonment or being a burden to loved ones - Fear that things will never improve (hopelessness about the future) - Preoccupation with death or suicidal thoughts (often accompanied by fear or acceptance of these thoughts)
Anxiety Disorders	Тривожні розлади	- Avoid caffeine and stimulants (they can provoke anxiety or panic attacks) - Don’t force them into feared situations without preparation (e.g. public speaking, crowded places) - Keep conflicts and yelling to a minimum (arguments can trigger intense anxiety)	- Fear of losing control or “going crazy” in public - Fear of being judged, embarrassed or humiliated by others - Constant worry about health, safety, or other “what if” scenarios (anticipatory anxiety)
Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders	Обсесивно-компульсивні та споріднені розлади	- Avoid exposing them to sources of contamination or dirt (germs can trigger compulsions) - Do not disrupt their order or routines as a joke (chaos triggers distress) - Minimize stressful situations, as stress can worsen obsessive thoughts	- Fear of germs or contamination (excessive concern with dirt, illness) - Fear of harming others or self by mistake (e.g. fear of forgetting to turn off appliances) - Fear of losing control over one’s own thoughts or actions (intrusive violent or inappropriate thoughts)
Trauma- and Stressor-Related Disorders (including PTSD, prolonged grief)	Розлади, пов’язані з травмою та стресом (включно з розладом тривалого горювання)	- Avoid sudden loud noises or surprise touch (can trigger startle reactions or flashbacks) - Don’t force discussion of the traumatic event or show graphic content related to it - Be mindful of anniversaries or dates related to the trauma (these can re-trigger intense memories)	- Fear of the traumatic event happening again in the present - Fear of being helpless or trapped (as during the trauma) - Heightened sensitivity to any cues that remind them of the trauma (sounds, sights, smells associated with it)
Dissociative Disorders	Дисоціативні розлади	- Avoid confronting them with too many traumatic memories at once (can cause them to shut down mentally) - Intense interpersonal stress or conflict should be minimized (stress can trigger dissociation) - Sudden violations of personal space or safety (feeling threatened can provoke a dissociative episode)	- Fear of “losing time” or gaps in memory they cannot account for - Fear that they are “going crazy” or that their identity is fragmenting - Often an underlying fear of the traumatic memories that their mind is avoiding
Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders (formerly “Somatoform Disorders”)	Розлади соматичних симптомів та пов’язані з ними розлади (раніше “соматоформні розлади”)	- Avoid detailed discussions of severe illnesses or symptoms in front of them (they may immediately fear those illnesses in themselves) - Minimize stress, as high stress amplifies their physical symptom complaints - Do not dismiss their symptoms as “imaginary” – dismissal can trigger more anxiety and insistence	- Fear of having a serious, undiagnosed medical condition - Fear that physical symptoms will worsen or lead to death, despite medical reassurance - Fear of not being taken seriously by doctors and loved ones (being seen as a hypochondriac)
Feeding and Eating Disorders	Розлади харчової поведінки	- Absolutely avoid comments on weight, body shape or eating portions – even as jokes - Do not pressure them to eat large meals in public or draw attention to their eating - Avoid “diet talk” or discussions of others’ bodies around them (can be triggering)	- Intense fear of gaining weight or “becoming fat,” despite low weight - Fear of losing control over eating (either eating too much or not being able to stop purging) - Deep insecurity about body image and fear of judgment for their appearance or food habits
Elimination Disorders (enuresis, encopresis)	Розлади виділення (енурез, енкопрез)	- Avoid scolding or punishing the person for accidents (shame increases incidents) - Big life changes (new school, new sibling) can trigger setbacks – provide support during transitions - Ensure easy, routine bathroom access (fear of not reaching the toilet can itself cause anxiety and accidents)	- Fear of embarrassment or humiliation due to wetting/soiling (especially in front of peers or family) - Young children may fear using certain bathrooms (e.g. a dark or unfamiliar restroom) - Fear of being punished or shamed by parents/teachers for something they feel they cannot fully control
Sleep–Wake Disorders	Розлади циклу сон–неспання	- Avoid caffeine or energy drinks in the evening (can trigger insomnia) - Keep a consistent sleep schedule – sudden schedule shifts (all-nighters, shift work changes) can worsen sleep problems - Minimize screen time and bright light exposure before bed (blue light can trigger insomnia)	- Fear of not being able to fall asleep (bedtime anxiety or “sleep performance” anxiety) - If they have nightmares or night terrors, fear of falling asleep due to what they might experience - In disorders like narcolepsy, fear of suddenly losing muscle control or falling asleep in unsafe situations
Sexual Dysfunctions	Сексуальні дисфункції	- Avoid pressuring or demanding sexual performance (performance anxiety worsens the issue) - Resolve relationship conflicts gently; emotional tension can trigger sexual difficulties - Be mindful of any past sexual trauma triggers and avoid those acts or scenarios unless they initiate feeling safe	- Fear of not being able to perform sexually or satisfy one’s partner - Insecurity or shame about one’s body or sexual desirability (body-image issues during intimacy) - For disorders with pain (e.g. vaginismus), fear that sex will be painful or uncomfortable
Gender Dysphoria	Гендерна дисфорія	- Avoid misgendering (using the wrong pronouns or birth name); it can cause intense distress - Do not force them into gender roles or clothing associated with their birth sex (triggers dysphoria) - Prevent and speak against transphobic or mocking remarks in their environment	- Fear of discrimination, rejection, or violence due to their gender identity - Profound distress that their body does not match their identified gender (dysphoric preoccupation with certain body parts) - Fear of not being accepted by family, friends, or society as their true gender
Disruptive, Impulse-Control, and Conduct Disorders	Деструктивні розлади, розлади контролю імпульсів і поведінки	- Avoid direct power struggles or shouting matches – heavy-handed discipline can provoke explosive defiance - Give them outlets for frustration; being bored or cornered can trigger anger outbursts - Do not embarrass or criticize them publicly (perceived humiliation triggers aggression)	- Fear of being controlled or dominated by others (they may act out to assert autonomy) - Fear of being disrespected or “losing face” in front of peers - In some cases, an underlying fear of abandonment (masked by anger and rebellion)
Substance-Related and Addictive Disorders	Розлади, пов’язані з вживанням психоактивних речовин та адиктивною поведінкою	- Avoid people, places, and things associated with their addiction (e.g. don’t meet in a bar for someone with alcohol use disorder) - Stressful situations or strong negative emotions can trigger cravings – help them develop coping strategies - Even positive events involving substances (holidays, parties) should be handled carefully to prevent relapse	- Fear of withdrawal symptoms or not being able to cope without the substance - Fear of social stigma or letting down family if they relapse - Fear of confronting the problems or emotions that the substance helped them escape from
Neurocognitive Disorders	Нейрокогнітивні розлади	- Avoid sudden changes in environment or routine – even small changes can trigger confusion or agitation - Minimize loud noise, clutter, or crowds (sensory overload triggers anxiety in dementia) - Introduce new caregivers or surroundings slowly and gently (unfamiliar situations can be upsetting)	- Fear of not recognizing loved ones or one’s surroundings (losing sense of familiarity) - Fear of being abandoned or left alone due to their cognitive decline - In early stages, fear of their own memory loss or cognitive failures and what it means for the future
Personality Disorders	Розлади особистості	- Avoid harsh criticism or personal attacks (can trigger defensive rage or withdrawal) - Be consistent and honest, but not confrontational – betrayal or sudden changes in relationship status (breakups, etc.) can trigger extreme reactions - Don’t push them to open up too quickly about deep issues (feels threatening to some personalities)	- Fear of abandonment or rejection (especially in Borderline PD) - Fear of being inferior, flawed, or not in control (common to many PDs, from Narcissistic to Obsessive-Compulsive PD) - Fear of being exploited or betrayed (especially in Paranoid PD)
Paraphilic Disorders (Paraphilias)	Парафілічні розлади	- Avoid exposure to stimuli related to the paraphilia (for instance, don’t inadvertently show sexual content involving their trigger) - Prevent situations where impulse is likely (e.g. unsupervised access to potential victims in illegal paraphilias) - Do not shame them harshly; encourage therapy – excessive shame can sometimes worsen secretive behavior	- Fear of being discovered or publicly shamed for their sexual impulses - Fear of being unable to control inappropriate urges - In some cases, fear of hurting someone versus compulsion to fulfill the urge (internal conflict)
Medication-Induced Movement Disorders & Other Adverse Effects of Medication	Медикаментозно-індуковані розлади рухів та інші небажані реакції на ліки	- Avoid medications (or doses) that are known to trigger these movement symptoms, if possible (consult with a doctor to adjust regimen) - Watch for stress or sleep deprivation, which can exacerbate tremors or tics in some cases - Avoid caffeine or stimulants if they worsen the movements (each case may differ)	- Fear that they have no control over their body (e.g. fear that tremors or tics will be noticeable or embarrassing) - Fear of long-term disability or that side effects are permanent - Concern that others will mistake the movements for mental illness symptoms rather than medication side effects
Other Conditions That May Be a Focus of Clinical Attention	Інші стани, що можуть бути у центрі клінічної уваги (e.g. relational problems, abuse issues, etc.)	- Avoid sensitive topics directly related to the issue (e.g. for someone with recent trauma or abuse, avoid graphic details; for relational problems, avoid taking sides or bringing up past conflicts) - Major stressors like legal troubles, housing instability – provide support to mitigate these as they can worsen overall mental state - Prevent isolation: withdrawing from support can worsen any underlying issues	- Fear of stigma or judgment regarding their situation (suicidality, self-harm, abuse, etc.) - Fear of recurrence of the crisis (e.g. fear of another suicide attempt or another episode of violence) - Fear of being misunderstood or not receiving help (many of these conditions are psychosocial, so fear that others will not take them seriously)
				(This category includes non-disorder situations like relational problems, abuse, etc. Triggers, fears, and irritants depend on the specific situation and individual.)

Note: The above triggers, fears, and irritants are generalized. Individual experiences may vary. Always approach the person with empathy, and when in doubt, ask them or their clinician about specific sensitivities. The goal is to provide a supportive environment that avoids known triggers and respects the person’s fears.