You really have about one of two ways to approach the situation. You can either try to put your stress aside, pull up your boots and go through with it- or you can politely explain that as much as you would like to see her, now it just not the right time.

I get triggered by being invited to almost any family get-together and don't fully understand why either. It is best to play it by ear if you can, as sometimes the reward is worth pushing through the fear. However, if you reaction is really strong, put yourself first and skip it. It is the best thing that you can do for your health in the long-run. Good luck and best wishes.

PTSD triggers can be mundane things that happen but they are associated with a specific reason for avoidance. There is something specific that the trigger symbolizes. The way to get to the root of the trigger is to be attune to your feelings and any flashbacks or somatic feelings. This all makes depending on what your personal trauma has been and why that trigger arises due to that event (s).

If you are concerned about visiting someone or going into a group of people consider why that is frightening or of concern. Is it safe?

I know being threatened and harmed by a large group of people I avoided crowds or groups of any kind n matter how small. A gathering of folks created terror. People standing and staring even briefly was a trigger as well. I needed my space to feel safe.

It was the same experiencing domestic violence and rape. I needed space because my personal space had been violated against my will. I could not accept invitations to spend time with others for several years and if it could not be avoided I needed a large area of personal space around me to mitigate a little of the discomfort.

I encourage you to really take your time and do what is mentally comfortable right now. Eventually once you get a handle on the root of your triggers it will be easier to make choices and take risks.

i actually just had 2 of the same typr of experiences. and it does happen to me often.
you are not alone in this.

I can totally relate to your feelings. Through therapy, I did identify the trigger as feeling trapped the same way I did as a kid. My therapist helped me realize it is "okay" to have boundaries and to give myself permission to end a visit if it becomes too bad. I don't get as paniced as I used to do around family gatherings. However, last year I had a sister visit from New England and she stayed with my brother. I definitely was in high anxiety mode prior to her arriving. Although others tried to set up activities for the two of us, I stood my ground and set the time, place and what we would do. Some of my family didn't agree with the amount of time I chose to spend with this sister but I'm okay with that. I did what I had to do in order to be able to spend "any" time with her.

I can relate also. I have developed claustrophobia as a result of my PTSD. Being invited to gatherings of any kind can trigger my symptoms IF it's something I really want to do. For example, I was invited to a birthday party recently and knew there was going to be a big crowd. I had no intention of going and so nothing was triggered. If I had wanted to go, the stress would have triggered my symptoms. I can only go to the grocery store on certain days at certain times when I know the crowd will be small. Your symptoms are not weird!! I think we all experience this to some level! It's part of PTSD!

I get that trapped feeling too. I have trouble dealing with appointments of any kind, any kind of obligation where I'm expected to be somewhere or do something. Even if it's just a routine doctor visit, I feel like a tremendous weight is off my shoulders when I'm done with it and I'm free to set my own schedule each day.

Even if it's something I want to do, I can't seem to have any social obligation weighing on me without being miserable over it. It seems to get worse when my other PTSD symptoms are bothering me.

Thank you all for your feedback. It really does help to know that I'm not the only one who can get triggered even by people and situations that I want to be a part of. I really didn't know it could work like this and now that I know that others go through similar experiences I don't feel so "different". I am going to try to work through this if I can. She probably won't be coming to visit for a while (I'm hoping around Christmas time) and maybe this will give me some time to "get ready" mentally and emotionally. And if all else fails I'll try talking to her about what is going on. She says she doesn't want to overwhelm me, so I know she's trying to be understanding.