How do you distinguish a gut feeling from a ptsd response?

[Roslie22]

Hey everyone!

I was wondering for all of you, how do YOU distinguish a legitimate gut feeling from a PTSD response?

E.g
You meet someone and over a few weeks you feel that something isn't right but hard to put your finger on the cause.
It could be either - 1) your subconscious linking up things which hasn't come to the surface of your consciousness yet and is warning you.
2) a PTSD reaction when there may not actually be a risk/danger




looking forward to hear the responses!

 

[lostforgottensoul]

What's the likelihood of it happening? Is it possible to be a threat?

Say, you walk in a bad neighborhood, it is possible you could be mugged or rapped or a millon other things. So being nervous is staked in reality.

On the other hand, being fearful of everyone inside of a normal store in a good neighborhood isn't. Or isn't as much.

So, my determination is how much is it staked in reality? Or how realistic is it?

Of course I am not good at this at all and my "gut instinct" isn't in my gut but my head, this is one reason I need a service dog and why I am not training out enviromental scanning. But, if it was possible to determine this, that's how I would go about it. Or one way I would anyway.

 

[DharmaGirl]

I always go with a gut feeling. Always now, because the several times I didn't worked out badly. I don't try to differentiate, since the PTSD helps with the gut feeling.

 

[Tornadic Thoughts]

I can't explain it, I just know, and I've come to learn it's in my best interest to follow it. Which is what makes me look crazy(ier) to a whole lot of folks. I agree with DharmaGirl that they're both a part of each other and it's hard to separate them. You can rest assured when I choose to ignore it, I always wish I hadn't.

 

[ladee]

I always go with my 'gut'.... it just is a different kind of feeling from anything PTSD related... in regard to symptoms... my gut may tell me there is a danger from my history, something unconscious... but anytime i do not follow my gut, it ends up not good...

 

[Roslie22]

Hi DharmaGirl!

Very good point... I was thinking about that as I was writing the question, but I'm still unsure about myself.

For e.g
I saw a guy in a club who at random started talking to me, and he was wearing winter outdoor clothes when it was boiling inside. with split second thinking i thought he just walked in trying to creep on people and i defensively asked if hes part of this large group i was with or not.
He came up to me later and sincerly apologised and said he didn't mean to scare me and he just joined us.
So I panicked for no reason
But then I have other examples where I was bang on right.

I guess I have to work on it.

 

[Deleted member 12723]

I had. to learn to go with my intuition. I get a feeling when the words and actions of a person do not match up

 

[Roslie22]

What's the likelihood of it happening? Is it possible to be a threat?

Say, you walk in a ba...

Hey there lostforgottensoul

I can empathise with you on that,
those are all great questions to ask ourselves .... but I find it hard to execute sometimes too
Even though regarding my friends I'm excellent at spotting the bull... artist /danger

 

[Roslie22]

I can't explain it, I just know, and I've come to learn it's in my best interest to follow i...

Tornadic Thoughts

"You can rest assured when I choose to ignore it, I always wish I hadn't."

God me too.... and people thinking your crazy, but we're often unfortunately end up being right.

There was a lecturer one who after hearing her tone of voice, i told my friend its going to be a hellish semester. and i joked saying she can write the prediction down and we'll see. and i was right, she almost got fired and some of her posts went viral on FB.


A few days ago I noticed someone I perceive as clingy , "heart" *its like liking* a photo of me straight after she heard I uploaded something, another friend did this and commented before her.. and
I immediately thought. Oh god, shes trying to up herself against my friend.

Some people would be like. how on earth are you coming to these conclusions? what?

But then a few days later after I couldnt meet up with this person. they replied a bit panicy and a bit lengthy, my gut feeling was exploding and I told them I dont feel comfortable with them anymore because of being pushy etc. They sent a big message a bit guilt tripping me and apologising.

Then that very photo she hearted, she unhearted , along with others.

So it obviously had a purpose for that which wasnt useful for her anymore.

 

[Friday]

I can't.

It's part of what I hate the absolute most about this damn disorder; not being able to trust my own judgement.

 

[Tinyflame]

To me gut is different than doubt, or fear, it's a strong feeling/ thought, not my 'mind' 's cognitions or 'argument' in my head I'm aware of, exactly. Or even an urging or small inner voice, towards good or away from danger. But different from perception -> analysis.

Does that even make sense?? :confused:

 

[Deleted member 541]

Always the gut feeling. When I first meet someone, if I get a bad vibe, I move on. If not, then I'm cautious but open to it.