Talk it over with your therapist, but my gut is to figure out what it is about the trigger that flips you out. Is it the words, was it playing at the time of your past situation,

Look for a way to modify the trigger in your mind to take control over it if possible. Sometimes this is not possible and exiting is the least disruptive if possible. Once triggered it does take time to get it back together as you know but I've been out of it for a whole day so I know it is important to figure out your question. But I think you need to evaluate the specific trigger each time.

One of my total freak out triggers is the dentist, I can't avoid it in my life, so I have to modify the situation - klonipin.