The Exaggerated Startle Response

[Harry M.]

My therapist gave me a great piece of info two weeks ago, when I was lamenting how embarrassing the startle response is when I am in public. He told me of a show on A&E called "Barter Kings" in which one of the two men has Tourette's. When he's nervous or feels anxious (sound familiar?) he will say out loud, "Bah Bam!" I DVRed the show, and now when I jump I either tell myself out loud, "Who cares?" or laughingly say, "Bah Bam." It really helped with the shame and to see such a big guy with a similar problem. Hope this info helps someone out there.

 

[Deleted member 12723]

For years I suffered with this badly. I usually laughted it off. It was annoying and frustrating. Now I do not have this anymore. I do not know what made it go away. I guess I developed trust in the people around me and my environment. I am glad I do not have this problem anymore. But like I said I had it for years and it was really bad. i wish you the best in finding solutions to this problem.

 

[Debbet]

Had this for years but it is easing up some lately, still jumpy at times. My kids have learned not to play any kind of "scare mom" game but normal childhood screams and yells will trigger a startle response. Kids will be kids but it is nice that they try not to do it on purpose. Haven't found anything that helps particularly, it just seems to come and go.

 

[Harry M.]

I've found it will intensify when my anxiety is higher. That's the only aspect I've seen that brings it on stronger.

 

[mamachick]

I have this horribly. It has gotten worse over the past year or two. Yesterday when a car passed me in the rain and the water splashed up on my windshield, I almost jumped out of my seat when the water hit the passanger side glass. I feel like I am just wired too tight.

 

[Harry M.]

My psychologist says her PTSD patients say this is one of the worst symptoms. Definitely taking efforts to reduce anxiety (dep breathing, laughing at etc) helps

 

[mamachick]

I am not surprised. It often feels like every nerve is raw and when something startles me, I go over the top. I fear that it will cause an accident. Something that definately needs to be managed.

 

[Anna]

I am very jumpy if someone startles me by walking in front of me suddenly. I will jump and make a startled noise.

To deal with it I make a light hearted joke out of it like:-

"Whoa you scared me"

"Wow! Where did you just appear from?"

It helps diffuse the situation and stops them from asking weird questions. Also sometimes they giggle with the joke which breaks the ice and makes the situation more positive.

 

[Cris77]

I do the exact same thing Anna! :)

I jump out of skin when someone walks in front of me. My co-workers suspect I drink too much coffee.

 

[safenow]

I think somehow we have been triggered before that reflex kicks in. We might not know what that trigger is, but once I gained control over my triggers, the only time I have that relex is when I am "fear" triggered. Thank goodness, I can pull myself out of that trigger now, so it is a rare thing now.

 

[Maggiemay]

Yep, I know exactly what you mean.

As people have said, trying to laugh it off helps. I'm unfortunate to have a boss, colleagues & chn in my class who have cottoned on to the fact I have an acute starrle reflex and they will go out of their way to trigger it and then comment that it's 'Too easy'. They've learnt how to gwt the biggest fright, even after I've moved my classroom round so I can see when someone's coming. Sigh. I haven't got the heart to approach them about it and challenge them being honest that it's a symptom of my PTSD (which boss should know). It helps though being able to laugh with them.

Whenever I go to the cinema with my mate he's always shocked by how easily I am startled by films, but ironically they never make me cry - I have a bit of a reputation for being hard as nails! Lol!

 

[Cris77]

I'm unfortunate to have a boss, colleagues & chn in my class who have cottoned on to the fact I have an acute starrle reflex and they will go out of their way to trigger it and then comment that it's 'Too easy'. They've learnt how to gwt the biggest fright, even after I've moved my classroom round so I can see when someone's coming.

Maybe you should explain to them how dangerous that is.

Jumping out of my skin is only one of my responses to being startled.