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You have provided me with some interesting ideas to ponder, and I thank you. I will certainly have to research further, as this idea of a 'trigger' eludes me.

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A trigger is a cue that remind one of a traumatic event and elicits distressing intrusions.
That definition is from a book I've used in my healing work: The Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Sourcebook by Glenn Shiraldi ISBN 0-7373-0265-8

For a person who was raped triggers could include: <ul type="square">[*]the smell of certain colognes like the one the rapist wore[*]Certain names spoken aloud or even phrases[*]Being touched, even gently, in a certain way that somehow triggers and wham......off to flashback land with the intrusive memories.[*]overly gratuitous sex scenes in major studio motion pictures[*]television shows that mention the word rape[*]people sneaking up and surprising you and thinking your tearful reaction is funny when in fact you are terrified[*]people of the same gender as the attacker similar in build or physical characteristics[/list]I think LMo gave you some good things to think about regarding your friend.

My gut instinct on this is no amount of research you do will satisfy this friend or reassure her that you could possibly understand. You've shown a tremendous kindness just addressing this issue and asking if you could possibly be doing more. Sometimes we have to ask "fish or cut bait?"

Then again you're listening to someone who is delighted to know your hair is neither green nor budding I can go to sleep tonight w/o that mystery nagging my mind. Whew!