Panic Attacks Support Group
A panic attack is a period of intense fear or discomfort, typically with an abrupt onset and usually lasting no more than thirty minutes. Symptoms include trembling, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, sweating, nausea, dizziness, hyperventilation, and sensations of choking or smothering. Panic attacks can be very sudden, appear to be unprovoked, and are often...
This past weekend at work there was a new girl who I think is either on some type of drug or is just a little off upstairs.
Anyway, most people at work know of my PTSD and that I don't like to be touched. I was working in the kitchen with my back turned to the other waitstaff and ALL of the people I work with have learned in one way or another that I can't stand being touched unexpectedly and even if I know you're going to touch me, the shoulders and neck are an absolute NO!
This new girl was already testing my patience and she came up behind me and shouted in my ear "HEY SAM!" and grabbed both of my shoulders aggressively. I whipped around, pushed her to the ground and screamed "DON'T FUCKIN TOUCH ME!" The girl who was training the new girl, a very close friend, was shocked at what happened and immediately grabbed me and held me back. I blacked out at that point and not sure what happened after.
I feel awful about how I reacted and I confronted my manager about the incident later that night(she was uninjured just really surprised at my reaction) but my manager surprisingly sided with me (knowing of what I've been through, he's also one of my trusted confidants at work). He understands my PTSD and that my Panic attack was triggered involuntarily but now I feel ashamed whenever I see this new girl :( I don't want her to be afraid of me because I'm almost never aggressive I just felt attacked and needed to defend myself.
Has anyone else had a similar out-of-body experience? I have no idea what happened after I pushed her. It's all a blur. I just don't want to be like this anymore :( I don't want my friends, family and coworkers to be afraid of my reactions to certain things. HELP!
i know how horrible you must be feeling about it but you didn't hurt her, it is ok.
yyour reaction makes sense - it is part of having PTSD. you will be able to dial it down somewhat - i think you will. i'm not sure if i have been able to do that or if it is because i am not in the crowded sorts of places where this sort of thing might happen.
i can't be suddenly hugged by a family member and i have a very huggy family. most of them understand. the few that don't get their feelings hurt occasionally.
i cannot help it - it isn't something i can help.
this isn't something you can help either. there is a certain degree of not grabbing that goes along with working in a kitchen/restaurant that all people should agree upon.
she should not have done that - not to anyone.
i am very sorry this is making you feel so badly. extra soft hugs that do not annoy (i hope) xo
I just don't like being touched when I'm not ready for it. and no hugs from behind unless its someone I'm really close to and I know they're doing it. by all means hug away!