Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Support Group
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I was just abruptly awakened by thundering fireworks next door. I'm terrified, on edge, shaking, dizzy, and had a flashback. Bad times. I have the knee-jerk reaction to escape. Go somewhere safe. Pretty much run away. Fight or flight? My instinct says run!
But that's not practical and since there's nothing to 'fight', I better figure a way to cope and minimize stress. Any suggestions?
I've taken my prescribed dose of anti-anxiety medication for acute symptoms. I'm watching YouTube videos of kittens. Any other suggestions? YouTube videos? Breathing techniques? Information on meditation topics and techniques?
I feel kind of frozen. Like I can articulate things but I'm only sporadically capable of following through and doing something like lookup videos. I have no idea what this feeling is called, which is why it scares me.
I'll describe the feeling so I can get it out of my head. I'm going to talk to my therapist and tell her what I'm about to write out in this post. If you recognize this 'symptom cluster' or whatever it is, please fill in the blanks. Does that make sense? I guess I'm looking for information on what feelings might be coming my way.
I feel numb. Like the volume got turned down on my life. Like I have a high-tension wire pulled tight in my chest just waiting to break if I hear another firework explosion. Then...I relax for a moment and...kaboom!
So...does this sound familiar? Does this have a name? I just call it, "The Jump". All my energy is pushed to the forefront. Not a panic attack. I can think clearly up until I hear a thundering explosion then I go numb for a couple of minutes.
If you're reading this line, thanks for hanging in there with me and reading the entire post. I'm going to watch more kitten videos now. Wish me luck.
But that's not practical and since there's nothing to 'fight', I better figure a way to cope and minimize stress. Any suggestions?
I've taken my prescribed dose of anti-anxiety medication for acute symptoms. I'm watching YouTube videos of kittens. Any other suggestions? YouTube videos? Breathing techniques? Information on meditation topics and techniques?
I feel kind of frozen. Like I can articulate things but I'm only sporadically capable of following through and doing something like lookup videos. I have no idea what this feeling is called, which is why it scares me.
I'll describe the feeling so I can get it out of my head. I'm going to talk to my therapist and tell her what I'm about to write out in this post. If you recognize this 'symptom cluster' or whatever it is, please fill in the blanks. Does that make sense? I guess I'm looking for information on what feelings might be coming my way.
I feel numb. Like the volume got turned down on my life. Like I have a high-tension wire pulled tight in my chest just waiting to break if I hear another firework explosion. Then...I relax for a moment and...kaboom!
So...does this sound familiar? Does this have a name? I just call it, "The Jump". All my energy is pushed to the forefront. Not a panic attack. I can think clearly up until I hear a thundering explosion then I go numb for a couple of minutes.
If you're reading this line, thanks for hanging in there with me and reading the entire post. I'm going to watch more kitten videos now. Wish me luck.
I am watching inane tv. Ha War of the worlds. I have seen it before so nothing in it surprises me in the movie. we win in the end.. If I fall asleep then no big deal I know how it ends. I won't be anticipating as with shows I never seen before.
For you maybe something that fits the criteria? Animal planet works also if I have seen the episode once or twice.
I am finally calming but almost at the new year mark for California...when I thought I wouldn't make it to my own time zone's
Oh year I did take an extra half dose PRN over my nightly dose that I took at 8 my time.
I usually get a 45 minute window at about 11:00 ish, to fall asleep in or I get aware again. Not good with the boom boom's either.
J.
Like Jewells, I have go-to watchlist and read list. Mine is usually science or animal documentaries I've basically memorized. A lot have great soothing visuals and music. Ahhh. I like the kitten videos idea.
BTW, movies call it "The Jump Scare", meant ot max adrenaline with a cheap-and-or-fake "scare". (The door slams! oh, it's Bobby, no big). Hubby is a huge movie fan and loooooves horror films, reads up on them, which is how I know about the "Jump Scare" and its physiology. Timing one ideally in a film will allow the adrenaline to fall off right before the "real" scare, so you get that lovely not-panic-but-OMG-help feeling you describe.
Big soft purrs from the sleepy puma,
Leo