4.3. Explain triggers that could lead to changes in behaviour

This guide will help you answer 4.3. Explain triggers that could lead to changes in behaviour.

Changes in a person’s behaviour can happen for many reasons. In health and social care, it is important to know what might trigger these changes so you can respond in the right way. A trigger is something that happens before a change in behaviour. It can be an event, situation, environment, or thought that affects how a person feels or acts.

When we see behaviour change, it can be a reaction to things happening around the person or to something inside them. Behaviour changes can be short term or long term. Some may be mild while others might be more serious.

By noticing triggers early, you can support the person better and prevent situations from getting worse. This helps keep both the person and those around them safe and supported.

Physical Health Triggers

A person’s physical health can have a big effect on their behaviour. If someone is in pain, unwell, or physically uncomfortable, they might act differently. They might be irritable, withdrawn, or easily upset.

Physical triggers can include:

• Pain from injury or illness
• Hunger or thirst
• Fatigue or lack of sleep
• Side effects from medication
• Hormonal changes
• Sensory impairments like poor eyesight or hearing loss

When these needs are not met, behaviour may change. For example, an older adult with untreated pain from arthritis may become short-tempered, restless, or avoid activities they normally enjoy.

Mental Health Triggers

Mental health conditions can strongly influence behaviour. A person with anxiety may react differently to stress compared to someone without it. Depression can lead to withdrawal from social situations. A person with dementia may respond in confusion or frustration to new environments.

Common mental health triggers include:

• Feeling overwhelmed
• Sudden changes to routine
• Lack of emotional support
• Unresolved grief or trauma
• Feelings of loneliness or isolation
• Flashbacks linked to post-traumatic stress

Knowing a person’s mental health history can help you notice when something is likely to set off a behaviour change.

Environmental Triggers

The environment can have a big impact on someone’s behaviour. This is especially true for people with sensory sensitivities or conditions like autism or dementia. A noisy or crowded space can cause distress. A change in furniture layout can create confusion or make someone anxious.

Environmental triggers can include:

• Loud noises
• Bright or flickering lights
• Uncomfortable temperature
• Overcrowding
• Cluttered or unsafe spaces
• Lack of privacy
• Sudden changes in surroundings

Creating a calm, comfortable, and familiar space can help reduce these triggers.

Communication Triggers

Misunderstandings can trigger frustration or anger. This may happen when someone feels they are not being listened to or when they do not understand what is being said.

Communication-related triggers include:

• Not being able to express needs or feelings
• Being spoken to in a way that feels disrespectful
• Using language that is too complex or unclear
• Not speaking the person’s first language
• Hearing loss affecting the ability to follow conversations

Clear, respectful, and patient communication can prevent many behaviour changes linked to misunderstandings.

Emotional Triggers

Emotions are a strong driver of behaviour. For people in health and social care, emotional triggers can include feeling unsafe, insecure, neglected, or unappreciated. Sudden changes in relationships or support systems can also trigger behaviour changes.

Examples of emotional triggers:

• Feeling rejected or ignored
• Loss of independence
• Relationship breakdown
• Feeling powerless or controlled
• Humiliation or embarrassment
• Disappointment

Supporting emotional wellbeing can reduce these triggers. This could mean including the person in decisions about their care, recognising their achievements, or showing empathy.

Social Triggers

Social situations can cause positive or negative behaviour changes. Too much social interaction might overwhelm one person while too little might make another feel lonely. Being excluded or treated unfairly can trigger negative behaviour.

Social triggers can include:

• Changes in friendship groups
• Bullying or harassment
• Cultural misunderstandings
• Being left out of group activities
• Loss of a long-term companion
• Strained family relationships

Promoting positive and respectful social contact can help prevent behaviour changes triggered by social issues.

Changes in Routine or Structure

Many people, especially children or those with learning disabilities, rely on routine. Unexpected changes can create anxiety or confusion. For those with memory problems, changes in routine can be distressing because they may not understand why the change has happened.

Triggers related to changes in routine:

• Cancelling regular activities without warning
• Moving mealtimes or bedtimes
• Staff changes without introduction
• Sudden relocation to another room or home
• Altered transport arrangements

If change is unavoidable, it helps to prepare the person in advance to reduce stress.

Triggers Linked to Past Experiences

Sometimes, experiences from the past can influence behaviour in the present. This is often called being “triggered” by a reminder of a past trauma. It can happen with smells, sounds, places, or certain people.

These triggers might be:

• A smell that reminds someone of a hospital
• A sound similar to a past accident
• An anniversary date linked to a loss
• Certain types of touch or physical proximity
• People in authority or uniforms

In these cases, behaviour can change suddenly because the person feels the same emotions they did during the past event.

Sensory Triggers

Some people are very sensitive to sensory input. For example, those with autism may be distressed by loud noises or certain textures. This can lead to sensory overload, where the brain becomes overwhelmed by incoming information. The person may then act out, shut down, or leave the situation.

Common sensory triggers include:

• Strong smells
• Scratchy fabric on clothing
• Background noise from machinery
• Flashing lights
• Crowded environments

Adapting the sensory environment can help prevent these responses.

Medication and Substance Triggers

Some behaviour changes are linked to the use of medication, drugs, or alcohol. This can be because of how the substance affects the brain or as a result of withdrawal symptoms.

Triggers here include:

• Side effects such as mood swings or drowsiness
• Interactions between different medications
• Missed doses
• Alcohol withdrawal
• Stimulants leading to agitation or hyperactivity

Regular reviews of medication can help identify if this is a trigger.

Triggers Related to Care and Support

Poor care practices can trigger distress or frustration. If a person’s dignity is not respected or they are not supported in a way that meets their individual needs, they may react negatively.

Examples of poor care triggers:

• Ignoring personal preferences
• Rushed or rough handling
• Failing to explain procedures
• Treating the person as if they cannot make choices
• Not meeting physical care needs promptly

Good person-centred care supports positive behaviour by respecting the person’s individuality.

Recognising Early Warning Signs

To respond well to behavioural changes, it helps to notice signs before they escalate. These can include:

• Raised voice
• Restlessness or pacing
• Clenched fists
• Avoiding eye contact
• Sudden withdrawal from conversation
• Signs of anxiety such as tapping fingers or fidgeting

Recording and monitoring patterns in behaviour can make it easier to spot potential triggers over time.

Responding to Triggers

You can reduce the impact of triggers by:

• Knowing each person’s history and preferences
• Making changes gradually where possible
• Maintaining consistency in care staff and routines
• Using clear communication
• Offering reassurance during stressful situations
• Creating comfortable and safe environments

This proactive approach can reduce negative changes in behaviour and encourage positive responses.

Final Thoughts

Behaviour changes in health and social care settings are often a response to some type of trigger. These triggers can be physical, emotional, mental, environmental, or social. They can come from within the person or from their surroundings. Understanding what causes a change is the first step in managing and preventing it.

When you notice patterns, share them with your team so everyone can respond consistently. The more you know about a person’s needs, the easier it is to reduce distress and promote wellbeing. By paying attention and acting early, you can create an environment that reduces triggers and supports better outcomes for those in your care.