Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Support Group
Find support with others who have gone through a traumatic experience. Whether you have chronic or acute PTSD, we are here for you.
...literally. I had a car accident today. It totaled my car, but I'm fine and so is the other car's driver.
Thing is, I noticed that in addition to the downside of PTSD I complain about here, in the crisis moment PTSD experience seemed to help. !?!?! Whether it was dissociation or not, I was calm and it helped the situation not be worse. The cop on the scene complimented me on my communication skills and balance.
Me! wow! The "fight or flight" person! And I was able to comfort the other driver a little with no bickering over whose fault it was while still saying how bad it felt for me.
Anybody else ever notice this kind of weird "upside" to our PTSD?
Odd how the everyday in life can be so hard with PTSD, and then the unusually stressful, like an accident, less so. It's a weird thing we have, my friends, isn't it?
Thing is, I noticed that in addition to the downside of PTSD I complain about here, in the crisis moment PTSD experience seemed to help. !?!?! Whether it was dissociation or not, I was calm and it helped the situation not be worse. The cop on the scene complimented me on my communication skills and balance.
Me! wow! The "fight or flight" person! And I was able to comfort the other driver a little with no bickering over whose fault it was while still saying how bad it felt for me.
Anybody else ever notice this kind of weird "upside" to our PTSD?
Odd how the everyday in life can be so hard with PTSD, and then the unusually stressful, like an accident, less so. It's a weird thing we have, my friends, isn't it?
Yes, I had a similar thing happen when my son got into an accident this year. He called me and I got there before the police. It was like a curtain dropped and I took charge. The other people asked me if I was police officer or emerency worker as I had things under control in no time. Same kind of thing. Weird eh?
Maybe it is because we have so much experience with trauma we can empathize with those in need??? I really don't know.
The INABILITY to weather what used to not phase me is what drove me to yet another dr.
I bet your adrenals are healing! I am so very much more calm now since taking the two amino acids, which are slowing my revving adrenals down that what used to crumble me isn't, now.
I dont remember who said this to me but someone said " wow. you know how to talk to children very well. you were honest enough to tell him the truth..." i dont know if this is an example. But I just remembered how it made me feel- I dont believe children need to know all the details. Maybe they do but in a way that will not affect them nor jade them.
Btw, it's good to know you are alive.
In November '08, I was driving South on Colorado's (infamous for stop/full throttle) I-25.
Construction traffic brought everybody to a dead halt, from about 80mph.
Everybody except the lady behind me, that is. Cell phone.
Hyper-vigilance.
Out of HV and habit, I checked my rear-view mirror, as I STOMPED on the brakes. I could see that she wasn't slowing down.
From a dead stop, I nailed the throttle on my little Prius car, and cranked the wheel all the way left, hoping to get off the road, and out of harm's way (thus, dooming the guy in front of me, but ... hey !).
Little car wasn't very fast off the mark. She SLAMMED into us at about 65mph.
But I WAS pointed off the road, so ... we punched into the center divider, and walked away, more or less unscathed.
I think that old hyper-vigilance likely saved my wife's life and mine, that day.
But that's the exception. Most of the time, I'd just assume take my chances without it, and ... you know ... get some sleep ;-)
I give this daily strength site and you guys credit for that! Thanks. I think of you all and your special support as I enjoy tooling around in my new(er) little car. :-)