Oh, that must have been so scary for you! Running into an unexpected trigger is such a shock. I bet your friends, and the people who saw, were thinking, "She must be very scared right now. I wonder what I should do? I don't want to be invasive or make her uncomfortable." I bet they *weren't* thinking there was something wrong with you.

I know I beat myself up a LOT after a public crying incident. I feel ashamed, caught being vulnerable. I think you are doing some of that, too. You've been stable for a long time, and you had an anxiety reaction when you faced someone who represents a great fear to you. Your reaction was understandable. You are someone with an anxiety disorder, and these things will happen. It's up to you whether or not to be compassionate and loving to yourself afterward.

It's not easy to do--I spent all day yesterday being hysterical after I got triggered in public with acquaintances. But if we are going to have these reactions, we might as well try to be caring towards ourselves afterward, right?