Triggers only access anxious thoughts in memory. Repeated anxious thoughts without a control can make them worse and in some cases subconscious so they seem to come from nowhere. Over time without a control such as medication or coping skills they can become more often as triggers become more related. It is not unusual to have multiple triggers accessing the same memory. You need to find and change the thought/reaction to the trigger, not try to avoid the trigger. Triggers will always be there but can in time cause a different reaction or no reaction. Thought records will show you which thoughts to change so you have a different thought in memory to access. In effect burying the unwanted anxious thought.
It is common for individuals to feel they cannot pin point their anxious thoughts as our thinking can become so automatic. Often if you use thought records for a week or two you will be able to pin point them. If you continue to have trouble identifying thoughts it would be most helpful for you to focus on the B (behavioural) part of CBT. Behavioural therapy alone can help to relieve symptoms.
Does anyone else not have conscious anxious thoughts? I hear it mentioned all over the place that anxiety comes with anxious thoughts but I often don't have any. My current therapist finds that to not fit the mold of what she is used to and she isn't the first to say this.
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