Abortion is a pretty controversial topic and can hit home for some people. She could have been raped or known someone who died from a botched abortion or anything, really. You never know what someone else has been through. I understand why she got a panic attack but there's no way you could have known her trigger so I'm sorry you had to go through that OP.

"You're not thinking of getting an 'A word' are you???"

That's mean. She probably has a mental illness. Certain things set me off too and I have panic attacks and episodes of detachment from reality. So don't just brush it off as "annoying". Talk to her.

Sorry but there's such things as triggers. Yes she may have been faking but abortions are very mentally straining and can cause horrific panic attacks.

Houston, We have a problem! Abort Abort Abort mission!

Well, to be honest, OP did not say that his colleague was annoying because of the panic attack. She seems to be annoying in general.

She's either possibly guilted by having an abortion or pro life and the simple uttering of the word causes discomfort. Whatever it was that's quite an interesting reaction.

I doubt it was just this one episode that caused OP to say she is annoying. She sounds like one of those people that stands out in front of abortion clinics with the signs and makes a huge scene when people go in. I'm sure she feels strongly about the topic but you have to keep it together when you are at work.

This doesn't sound like she's having an actual panic attack at all. She just sounds like an attention-seeking person. Panic attacks hit a little harder and freeze a person up, making them feel like their having a heart attack. She needs to seek help of a different sort or just get over the word abortion. I just hate when someone acts like they have a certain condition and lie about it to everyone just for attention.

I know where she's coming from. My trigger words are scout, gabbie, and divorce. Each included something traumatic. Try to be understanding towards her, it's so difficult living with an anxiety disorder and then having people using your trigger words by accident... Just be easier on her please.