How do you regulate a heavy trigger?

So a few hours ago I (22F) got triggered, hence this post. I'd like to know if anyone has had any similar experiences or tips on how to regulate a very heavy "irrational" trigger, stop the thoughts from spiraling, or even prevent one before it fully unfolds.

A year or so into my last relationship I noticed that I had an increasing problem with seeing my partner sweat. It would get so bad that it would kick off a freeze or even a fight or flight response. It is especially bad if the trigger occurs seemingly out of nowhere and I am unprepared for it (like feeling a sweat soaked shirt when hugging). At some point the thought alone (set off by a simple text for example) of him doing any kind of strenuous physical activity would result in me getting triggered and that is still where I am at right now. The problem vanished after my last relationship ended and it only occured again a year after I got together with my now boyfriend. I only seem to have this trigger with romantic partners. My last relationship actually partially ended because my reactions would become too much too handle. It feels like self sabotage and is deeply connected to a sense of shame and very low self-esteem. I have not yet found a way to break free from this cycle and regulate my emotions effectively. Being triggered can sometimes even last several days for me. It usually resolves when I meet up with my partner again (for some reason I need to see him in person in order to "become normal" again), but also not immediately, it depends on the gravity of the trigger. I get cynical and overall not too pleasant to be around. My body kind of goes into a state of "shut down" where I feel empty and emotionally cold and distant. Plus I tend to make impulsive choices, although that has gotten a bit better. I also have ADHD so that's probably not helping either.

Funny thing is, in theory I've always liked the thought of someone I am attracted to sweating (especially women though). I always considered it a big kink of mine or maybe even a fetish. It's a constant fantasy for me, just not really with my partner anymore since that thought is now linked to a feeling of fear and unease.

I've been seeing a sex therapist for the last few months now and she was the first one to assume I might have some form of PTSD, regarding that I also had a pretty problematic childhood with emotionally unavailable parents and a fair share of emotional neglect. My mother always was a heavy sweater even with little to no physical activity going on and I remember also getting triggered by that when I still lived with my parents. The reaction was just a bit different and less intense. It triggered more of a feeling of unease and annoyance but also made me a bit cold and distant, just not as severe as today. That also was before I ever even had this problem in a relationship.

The working theory as of right now is that all of that might somehow be connected.

So to wrap it up, it's a trigger that deeply impacts my everyday life and makes it feel like a living hell. I feel like a burden to my partners and am afraid of never being able to get better and having stable and healthy relationships. I have gotten better at communucating this problem though but of course it still remains.

It makes me sit out events and ditch couple activities like going to the gym together, going on a hike, a rave, meeting up on an extremely hot summer day etc...

It deeply pains me that I am not able to have this and that I am constantly scared of the situation arising.

I fear the upcoming summer already because my mind will be 24/7 on alert and in stress mode.

So yeah I'm a bit desperate and have always felt alone and like a freak because of it.

Maybe someone has an idea of how this all makes sense and how to manage it better 🫠