Do you ever get a sense of impending doom?

[Changing4Best]

On and off, all my life, I have gotten this feeling of impending doom. Usually nothing happens that is associated with it that I can tell, but it keeps coming about anyway. I am the victim of childhood sexual assault and also an adult rape, so these things could well be contributing to it. I just wanted to know if others of you get this, and at what age did it start to occur. For me, the first time I recall it happening is when I was maybe 15 years old or so. I was on my way to a teen age social function and to my knowledge, there was no need for me to feel this way about going to it. None the less, I felt this way anyway! Of course no doomsday things happened that day, or any other day around that time either.

There was one time in my life that "doom" did kind of occur, but I don't recall feeling impending doom any time before that happened!

 

[Virtues]

Firefighter/first responder; that's actually a symptom to several severe physical conditions, most being related to the heart...

 

[Tinyflame]

I always thought it was from anxiety? :confused:

 

[Changing4Best]

Firefighter/first responder; that's actually a symptom to several severe physical conditions, most...

I had an echocardiogram not that long ago. All is OK in that department. Also, since this is a lifelong thing that crops up often, it would be difficult to assign it to my heart.

So what I am wanting to know, is if it is common to a lot of PTSD sufferers. Like, is that that cause of it?

 

[Virtues]

I had an echocardiogram not that long ago. All is OK in that department. Also, since this is a lifel...

I'm glad your heart checked out ok; it was smart to get it checked out. This is a symptom I've heard is common during a panic attack, but I can't say I've personally experienced it. I've had tunnel vision and other weird things happen but I've always chalked it up as fight/flight/freeze response going off when it shouldn't. My anxiety is less severe than mimicking a heart attack but more constant and chronic. I don't know if that makes sense or if anyone can relate?

I always thought it was from anxiety? :confused:

It can be but when OP said long term I assumed this meant prior to trauma which to me sends up a red flag (as a first responder ) It's just good to get that checked out.

 

[glass frog]

I definitely have the same feeling- from similar trauma. I've probably had it to some extent since being around 13 or 14 years old. It's a pretty constant/lingering feeling but tends to feel more intense during extreme anxiety. I'm sorry to hear that you're experiencing it! I wish I knew how to make it stop, but hopefully it gets easier with more trauma/anxiety treatment.

 

[Changing4Best]

Yes, I am mid-Trauma Therapy at the moment, so that could well be contributing to it. I will work on some grounding techniques and other stuff like that. I have been feeling grief along with it today too. Next session is Friday. I will definitely tell T about it.

 

[Fadeaway]

Yup, it is a symptom. Yup, I practically live in that state.

 

[Still Standing]

Hmmmm....OK, I m stepping out here and am taking a chance I will not sound REALLY weird. Yes, I do have a sense of doom. Have done this most of my adult life. I have it concerning a particular person or the car, or a larger life-situation. Most often, It is like a "heads-up" notice that something challenging is coming down the pike. My mom, aunts, and grandmother also had these experiences. Sometimes I "know" what the problem is and sometimes I have enough time to prepare for the challenge. The latter usually involves the cars. I "know" they are going to need some type of repair work soon. I have dreams, too. I dreamt of the large earthquake that hit California years ago that took down the bay bridge. I went to friends before that happened and told them about what I saw so it was a shock to them and me when what I described really happened. I had a sense of doom prior to a major surgery. I knew I was going to die. Post operatively, I had pulmonary edema and momentarily died but was resuscitated. The list goes on... As I have gotten older, I do not have the sense of "doom" so often, anymore. But, I don't associate this phenomenon with PTSD, although I apparently have had it since childhood. Can't help you there.

 

[Changing4Best]

I assumed this meant prior to trauma which to me sends up a red flag...

Actually, no, it was after my first set of traumas, but before the second set that it first occurred.

 

[Virtues]

Actually, no, it was after my first set of traumas, but before the second set that it first occurred...

I should have asked; I'm sorry.

 

[Changing4Best]

Hmmmm....OK, I m stepping out here and am taking a chance I will not sound REALLY weird. Yes,...

OK, I have had similar experiences too, but not associated with this sense of doom. Thanks for stepping out and being brave. That helps me a lot too, but in a different way!