<font color="blue"> Don't get me wrong, what you are listing is not pleasant. HOWEVER from what I am reading you are pretty much describing ANXIETY or PANIC ATTACKS and NOT TRIGGERS of PTSD.

Since this is posted in PTSD I will refer to that, if that's ok.

Something that triggers you in your PTSD causes you to flashback in some way... to frightening thoughts, visual memories...of the trauma you experienced. The trigger and the response will depend upon your own trauma and response. Someone who was mugged, might have anxiety about going out alone, but might be triggered if they return to where they were mugged...and experience the event all over again as though it were happening again at the time.

Someone who nearly drowned would be anxious about going to the beach with a group of friends, but if they went, could have an anxiety attack fearing they might drown if they go into the water. But seeing the water might trigger them to a flashback, where they are once again drowning (even though they are standing on the beach.)

Does this help you understand the difference at all?

If you realize you have had a flashback from being triggered you can subsequently an anxiety attack; the two are separate happenings.

Sundance, what I read from your thread beginning post, where you zone out (dissociate, numb) that does sound like you were triggered with a memory of trauma, imo. I would recount where you were, smells, sights, sounds, thoughts... and see if you can decide what it was that triggered you. TC!