The scientific literature uses the terms interchangeably. I don't agree that there's a differentiation.
Technically anything can BE triggered… it’s a metaphor… indicating a starting point for a chain reaction. But the scientific community defines a “PTSD trigger” (trigger vs triggered having very different definitions, bizarrely, and confusingly) in very narrow ways. Much more broadly with Bipolar triggers, Anxiety triggers, febrile triggers, seizure triggers, etc... Even more narrowly with certain other disorders and condition. (Etc. So forth. So on.) With each disorder & condition having its own discrete lexicon/terminology. Generally, however, trigger is NOT used. Stressor is. “THAT’S the stressor!” In the medico-legal-scientific community. As stressor means ANY event precipitating a radical change, meanwhile triggers are so durn specific to the disorder/condition, that unless one is certain as TO the disorder/condition in play, the word trigger itself is avoided.
A PTSD Trigger? Has a very specific definition. As described, in detail, by the link I provided earlier.
Aside from splitting hairs about how scientists talk to one another about varied conditions? Whilst -with PTSD- the OUTCOME to a trigger/stressor is often the same (panic attack, anxiety attack, flashback) the most effective way of nixing the outcome?
Are very different things. Meaning it is NOT a distinction without a difference. But a giant big red EASY button. Do exposure therapy on a stress? Nothing happens. Do it on a trigger, and the trigger melts away until it no longer provokes any kind of reaction. Manage your stress until you’re blue in the face, and triggers are unaffected, but even a half hearted effort here and there has profound effect on stress & stressors. Hence? The narrow definition. Ditto why other disorders weight & define “trigger” differently. Some have narrow definitions. Some broad.
I’ve read hundreds of studies on PTSD, thousands of studies in both medicine & psych. (To be fair, most of those were a school requirement, although there have been a few personal rabbit holes). The scientific community does NOT use triggers and stressors interchangeably, in regards to PTSD. Only pop-psych does. Largely, because they’re been paid $50 per article to regurgitate the scientific study in laymen’s speak, and don’t understand the content… even though they’re otherwise reasonable/rational human beings, this is only one of fifty articles they’re submitting this week, with hopes of ten being published & paid out.
