There are certain events I have blocked out around the trauma. Others tell me things I did, making phone calls and such...I was on autopilot at that point. I don't remember who I called...I don't remember the weeks afterward until they were able to get me in to see a psychiatrist and start me on klonopin and ambien and seroquel.

Trauma does affect memory, sometimes short term, others long term or both.
Mine is my short term memory that is affected.......I forget what i was doing like 3 mins ago sometimes, like i went into a little trance.....

i was raped twice.......the first time i couldn't remember part of it and then all of a sudden it all came to me.....the second one i barely remember anything......i have memeory problems.....

After separating from my ex-N, I was just a shell - could not remember much of anything - misplaced keys, Visa card, etc., and then after searching would find them and be made at myself. I also thought I was starting to have dementia and It scared me.

After 2 counseling sessions and learning from this site, I am calm and make an effort to put things where they should be! My concentration is so much better because I have learned that being with an alcoholic made me co-dependent and feel hopeless.

Thank you, everyone, for your support.

I found this on a site and it really opened my eyes because it calls out some of the more subtle consequences of both big T and little t traumas. what struck me is how it contrasted hyperviglance.

"Have a look at some of the symptoms of PTSD. PTSD can occur from a single life threatening event of horror, or it can be an accumulation of stress over time, sometimes called the bully effect. If you have ever been a denominational pastor or been bullied by the board, I dont need to explain the terminology to you.

Here are some symptoms:
hyper vigilance (feels like but is not paranoia)
exaggerated startle response
irritability
sudden angry or violent outbursts
flashbacks, nightmares, intrusive recollections, replays
triggers sleep disturbance
exhaustion and chronic fatigue
reactive depression
guilt
feelings of detachment
avoidance behaviors
nervousness, anxiety
phobias about specific daily routines, events or objects
irrational or impulsive behavior
loss of interest
loss of ambition
anhedonia (inability to feel joy and pleasure)
poor concentration
impaired memory
joint pains, muscle pains
emotional numbness
physical numbness
low self-esteem