What Objects Cause Your Startle Response Triggers?

[DharmaGirl]

I don't get it. My startle response is caused by almost anything unexpected. Including family members who are where I'm not expecting them. I always thought the startle response was just that, a response. I didn't think anything triggered it, it is just a symptom that gets worse when you are triggered by something else entirely. Such as: my back pain which is horrible, is triggering my PTSD, causing me to startle at nearly everything unexpected. Is that what you mean? Or do you mean there is a direct connection between a certain trigger and a certain startle? I startle many times a day and I rarely go out now.

I might be reading more into it than is meant, but I'm so confused. I get more confused when I take my pain pills too.

 

[Abstract]

I always thought the startle response was just that, a response.

I agree Monster. I may be missing something but I think what possibly happened is that Springer started talking about exactly that. Essentially reactions linked to hypervigilence. And then I think people have responded with all things that make them startle in some way. In other words jump, startle imperceptibly etc (guessing from what has been discussed) whether that reaction is in response to a trigger or just hypervigilence. Just my take on it but I am keen to hear the response to your comment.

 

[safenow]

my back pain which is horrible, is triggering my PTSD, causing me to startle at nearly everything unexpected.

That is normal.

When I am triggered by to fear my startle response is to just about everything.

 

[DharmaGirl]

That is normal.

Oh, I know its normal, I was just using it as an example. My confusion is normal too, given the amount of meds I'm on at the moment.

 

[Springer80]

My startle response is caused by almost anything.... Including family members who are where I'm not expecting them.

I think that's everybody!!!! :giggle:

I always thought the startle response was just that, a response. I didn't think anything triggered it,....... my back pain which is horrible, is triggering my PTSD, causing me to startle at nearly everything unexpected......Or do you mean there is a direct connection between a certain trigger and a certain startle?

I might be reading more into it than is meant, but I'm so confused. I get more confused when I take my pain pills too.

Hi Monster,....I'm confused too :O_o: :) Sorry about your pain levels and woozy meds on top. I am getting at something but not sure what it is yet. Needs to brew a little :coffee: before I try and pin it down.

 

[ms spock]

Knocking on the front door can do it for me. But I have a sign up that no canvassers are accepted. I also don't invite people over at this time. When people are coming over I am expecting a knock.

 

[cat]

Since therapy I have fewer triggers and those I do have are less stressful. In my early days of ptsd I seemed to be triggered by everything, my feet- I couldn't tollerate them being uncovered, being touched, showering, doors opening, telephone rings, perfume, a slow cooker & strangest of all meat.

Some still remain such as chicken & uncooked red meat, slow cookers-just about to buy a new one, I have to challenge my responses to it, people touching my shoulders. A lot of my triggers are centered around the things I did on the day I was attacked, it was new years eve.

I have to say though they do get easier to cope with over time.

 

[winterose]

The icemaker when there isn't any ice in the tub and the first time it hits the empty tub. Squeaky floor boards. Jangle of keys on a key ring. When the wind is blowing so hard, it makes that god awful noise ( sounds to me like a tornado that's stuck inside a tunnel) down the chimney even though the flue is closed. The sudden change between cycles for the dishwasher, washer, dryer. Doors slamming.

 

[anni]

I was hoping someone else was where I am because it's just wierd. I was telling another member a few weeks ago that my startle response has gone poof. It went from being the most intrusive thing on the planet as regards to kitchen timers, barking dogs, anything-which-goes-click or says-hello, to nothing. The kids think it's now hysterical to leap out from behind doors because I'll blink at them. Maybe. I'm just sitting here trying to conjure up what would send me through the roof these days and there's pretty much nothing. The heart will do a slowwww roll sometimes, otherwise it's like all the nerve endings have been sandpapered off.

I don't know, maybe after 20 years something else breaks, or wears the heck out through over-use, or your head just gets tired of scraping itself off the ceiling 3 times every hour. Things-which-worry me are different, like disliking large men with beards looking at me, or courthouses in general. They just make me want to vomit, not connected with a startle response.

 

[safenow]

They just make me want to vomit, not connected with a startle response.

In my experience, the only time that startle response is awake and active is when I have multiple triggers open. Life safety, high anxiety, and unsafe housing. Those get me every time. But normally, I don't startle easily.

 

[Sivawoman]

I get startled by any loud noise, and also by a person being near me, or in the same room, when I'm not expecting them.

One that is the most common is hearing the bell ring at school when it's a workday and no children are in the classroom.

When my grade level team is collaborating, and the bell rings, I practically jump out of my seat, while no one else even notices it. I feel pretty embarrassed when that happens.

 

[anni]

Oh my, a teacher? Children are nothing if not 3 1/2 solid feet composed of unexpected noise, God love them. Talk about exposure therapy, how's that going? And God Bless you and your central nervous system. :)