Is associating places, things or ppl with traumatic events and the avoiding them normal for anxiety disorder or more consistent with PTSD or something else?

For example, my fiancé has a bad temper and even though it's been 5 years since he punched a wall or acted rage filled I cannot sleep in his apartment because I associate it with the pain and fear I felt years ago. Plus the holes were never repaired.

Also, I was cheated on at one point and I cannot look at a red robe without being reminded of it or listen to a particular song - or hear the name of the country the girl he cheated with was from without feeling anxiety.

I also cannot set foot in the church my cousin's funeral was held at almost 20 years ago - when I was a child - due to the pain I felt when I was in that church last.

Additionally, if I am wearing a certain article of clothing and I experience a panic attack or intense anxiety, I will throw the clothing away. The same is true for foods, dishes, books etc.

I have a very emotional response to people, things and places that were apart of traumatic events for me and I'm wondering if this is consistent with my GAD or PTSD. I have been diagnosed with GAD.

Has anyone else experienced this?

[MotownJohnny]

In my purely uneducated opinion, anxiety goes hand in hand with PTSD as one of the components of hypervigilance.

Hmmm...I'll look into that. Thank you