Sufferer Looking for help with symptoms

[Hawkeye]

Hello! I’m new. I’m 20 and I was diagnosed with cptsd last year.
Mainly gaslighting and mind games/narcissistic abuse.
It’s in friggin everything I do. I can’t handle noises or triggers and I just want to be normal. Medications haven’t really worked.
Also I’m doing therapy. I just feel very frustrated and alone.

Do you guys have anything that has specifically helped you with the hyper vigilance/noise sensitivity stuff?

Whee
-Hawkeye

 

[Charbella]

I eliminated as much as possible when my hyper vigilance was high.

My phone was set to silent, not vibrating even. I bought a watch that connected to my phone so I’d still get alerts just without noise. I worked really hard on my pup who is an endless source of noise. I spoke to my neighbors and their cute girls about how it frayed my nerves to no end but also provided treats as an incentive to please help me. I turned down the tv and radio.

I also worked on how it affected me by taking walks when things got to loud or driving my car. Doing things where I got to control the volume of the space helped me to calm my mind.

But the thing that’s helped the most is getting therapy on the cause of my PTSD because it’s helped with the hyper vigilance along with the flashbacks.

My nerves still get frayed from too much noise but I’m able to remind myself that it’s a symptom and it will pass.

Good luck finding what works for you.

 

[arfie]

hello hawkeye. welcome to the forum. sorry for what brings you here, but glad you are here.

i only wish i had a one-size-fits-all solution for my hypervigilance/sensitivity. alas, that one easy to say symptom seems to need a different coping tool for each of it's many faces. i need an entire toolbox for that one symptom. for example, when my hypervigilance brings on a panic attack, i use breathing exercises. when my hypersensitivity brings on social anxiety, i reach for the positive affirmations. etcetera, etceteri through the more situations/tools than i care to type just now. that staggering list is probably more than you can absorb in a single sitting, anyway.

itsy bitsy baby steps is my most used tool for just about all of my cptsd symptoms. keeping the steps small takes the pressure off and gives me extra time to practice and process. steadying support while you find what works for you. welcome aboard. you are not alone.

 

[Hawkeye]

I eliminated as much as possible when my hyper vigilance was high.

My phone was set to silent, not vibrating even. I bought a watch that connected to my phone so I’d still get alerts just without noise. I worked really hard on my pup who is an endless source of noise. I spoke to my neighbors and their cute girls about how it frayed my nerves to no end but also provided treats as an incentive to please help me. I turned down the tv and radio.

I also worked on how it affected me by taking walks when things got to loud or driving my car. Doing things where I got to control the volume of the space helped me to calm my mind.

But the thing that’s helped the most is getting therapy on the cause of my PTSD because it’s helped with the hyper vigilance along with the flashbacks.

My nerves still get frayed from too much noise but I’m able to remind myself that it’s a symptom and it will pass.

Good luck finding what works for you.

Thank you. The walks are a good idea, I haven’t tried that yet. My phone is on silent and I’m working with a therapist and have been for about a year now.

Thank you!

 

[Dynamic]

earplugs if someone didn't say that

 

[Friday]

Hypervig & sensitivity? Cha. USE IT.

Not in my personal life, but my professional one.

Give it a purpose/outlet? Sorted. Personal life untouched, unless I was being stupid. Which is sorted by reality checking by people I trust.

 

[Hawkeye]

Hypervig & sensitivity? Cha. USE IT.

Not in my personal life, but my professional one.

Give it a purpose/outlet? Sorted. Personal life untouched, unless I was being stupid. Which is sorted by reality checking by people I trust.

How would you suggest I use it?
I am seriously open to suggestions

 

[katz]

Hello! I’m new. I’m 20 and I was diagnosed with cptsd last year.
Mainly gaslighting and mind games/narcissistic abuse.
It’s in friggin everything I do. I can’t handle noises or triggers and I just want to be normal. Medications haven’t really worked.
Also I’m doing therapy. I just feel very frustrated and alone.

Do you guys have anything that has specifically helped you with the hyper vigilance/noise sensitivity stuff?

Whee
-Hawkeye

Welcome to the forum ! I have a terrible time with loud noises also. When I was growing up, listening to my favorite music helped me. My own favorite songs - at a level that I liked. I still listen to music softly at night to help me sleep.

Welcome to the forum ! I have a terrible time with loud noises also. When I was growing up, listening to my favorite music helped me. My own favorite songs - at a level that I liked. I still listen to music softly at night to help me sleep.

Welcome to the forum, Hawkeye. When I was diagnosed, I wanted to learn everything I could about the condition. It helped me realize that what I was thinking/feeling was normal for someone in my position. I have been amazed to find out all the different parts of me that are due to the childhood I grew up in. This helped me to put less blame on myself. I still hurt very much inside....but try to live day to day. Surviving.
Believe in yourself and to learn to trust yourself and what you are feeling. Give yourself some love and admiration for being a survivor. Good luck.

 

[Evie loves Sam]

I have to find all facts.

I look for evidence to support my purview and disprove the lies told.

I tend to go over things repeatedly which can upset others

Self doubt makes me question everything and internalise.

 

[sp33]

Hello! I’m new. I’m 20 and I was diagnosed with cptsd last year.
Mainly gaslighting and mind games/narcissistic abuse.
It’s in friggin everything I do. I can’t handle noises or triggers and I just want to be normal. Medications haven’t really worked.
Also I’m doing therapy. I just feel very frustrated and alone.

Do you guys have anything that has specifically helped you with the hyper vigilance/noise sensitivity stuff?

Whee
-Hawkeye

I live in an apartment and all the noise if slamming doors and banging is horrible. I have panic attacks. I bought noise canceling head phones. They have saved my life and the lives of my neighbors.the first thing I do when I come home is put my headphones on.

 

[Riley Jones]

Hello! I’m new. I’m 20 and I was diagnosed with cptsd last year.
Mainly gaslighting and mind games/narcissistic abuse.
It’s in friggin everything I do. I can’t handle noises or triggers and I just want to be normal. Medications haven’t really worked.
Also I’m doing therapy. I just feel very frustrated and alone.

Do you guys have anything that has specifically helped you with the hyper vigilance/noise sensitivity stuff?

Whee
-Hawkeye

Hello Hawkeye, welcome to the community at myptsd.com. I'm glad you reached out and shared a bit about what you're going through. It's understandable to feel frustrated and alone when dealing with CPTSD, especially with hyper vigilance and noise sensitivity as you mentioned.

Many members of our community have found different strategies and coping mechanisms that have helped them manage hyper vigilance and noise sensitivity. Some have found relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, mindfulness, or progressive muscle relaxation to be beneficial. Others have found comfort in creating a safe space at home where they can retreat when feeling overwhelmed.

Additionally, you may find it helpful to explore the specific forums on myptsd.com dedicated to hyper vigilance, noise sensitivity, and other related topics. Connecting with others who share similar experiences can provide valuable perspectives and support.

It's excellent that you're already in therapy; if you find that medications are not working as expected, I encourage you to speak with your healthcare provider about exploring other options. Remember, healing from CPTSD is a journey, and it's okay to ask for help along the way.

Feel free to continue sharing your thoughts and experiences here, as this community is here to listen and support you. You are not alone in this, and we're here to walk this journey with you. Remember to be gentle with yourself as you navigate through this challenging time.

Warm regards,
Riley Jones