Poll How Old Do You Feel?

[radicalgratitude]

I am very curious about the concept of age and how it may apply or not apply to people with PTSD. I personally feel like a child most of the time. I marvel at the fact that my students look at me as as if I'm an adult. I know that I am technically an adult. (I've seen my driver's license.)

If you feel like someone your own age, how did you arrive at this point?

P.S. I have no intention of isolating anyone younger than adult. If you are an adolescent, then the first one would be "I feel like a child instead of an adolescent."

 

[TwoDee2ThreeDee]

Everyone tells me I look much younger than I am...I just tell them it's my immaturity showing.

 

[Venusian]

Interesting poll, I am also told I look much younger than I am but I feel like I am I have been around for a very long time.

 

[Abstract]

I go from one extreme to the other or feel both at the same time. Young but with an old soul.

 

[Deleted member 1860]

I've been told I look much younger, too. I don't know if that's true anymore since I've lost a bit of weight. In terms of aging factors, I only have one----STRESS! I don't drink, smoke, do drugs, have kids. I slather on the SPF 70 like it's going out of style! I've been told I look like my aunt so I pray I got my dad's side aging well genes. I hope I stay young looking so that I can fulfill my goal of becoming a hot cougar (ha).

Mentally----definitely not an adult. I'm 33 and the thought of having kids just blows my mind. I can't be responsible for another human being while struggling with functioning. Yet friends my age have teenagers? (I won't be having kids as a screaming child sets off my anxiety like nothing else.)

When it comes to intimacy, I've been told I act like I'm 12. I freak---the next relationship I get into, well I should make my partner watch that SVU episode where Liv explains how this sort of reaction is normal for those who were sexually abused. She says it better than I ever could and although she's fictional, somehow it would give credibility to my reaction.

I think I've rambled on enough.

 

[Namaste01]

In terms of age and PTSD, when I have a trigger and go into an uncontrolled episode of depression/ anxiety. I go back to being my 21 year old self, I was 21 when I encountered my trauma. I have actually told people I am the same age as my trauma, when in fact I am a few years older. I don't think it's uncommon to feel the age you were of trauma, I regress back to that state of mind as well so it makes sense!

 

[franciemarnie]

I'm like Abstract - I go from one extreme to the other. I can be 5 and 9 and 16 and 39 all within an hour or less. Within minutes even. Never current age consistently.

 

[Lionheart]

I sometimes feel younger than I am, but that doesn't happen as often anymore. (Usually just when I am playing or being creative). Most of the time I feel much older than I really am. I am 52.

 

[p-no]

I have felt 342 (no kidding, seems like the true answer to me) for many years. Good thing this "age" has come to mind when I read this question so I haven't aged ever since I replied "342" for the first time roughly 20 years ago. ;)

 

[bell]

I answered "older" in the poll, but in reality, I feel both younger and older.

Considering I was so hypervigilant growing up I couldn't even go on walk by myself without being paranoid someone was going to hurt me until I was 20 or so, I feel both old and young. Old because I expended so much energy for so much of my life that I feel like I've lived longer than I have and young because I'm so grateful at the little things that people tell me I'm like a little kid.

In reality, I am 38, neither old nor young. Everyday I wish things were different and that I could have my past back, one where I wasn't constantly scoping out everything making sure no one would hurt me, but everyday I again realize that I need to move forward as that's not going to happen.

 

[rightkindofme]

I have never been a child in my own perception. I was born old. :)

 

[Kas_Can_Fly]

I often am told I look younger than I am but my words show a maturity uncharacteristic for my age. As for how I feel, growing up I felt isolated from those around me for being substantially more developed than most my age and despite feeling that still to some extent now, I also feel like a child, unprepared and un-ready for the world around me even if I do have an uncannily deep understanding of it all. I feel very often physically and mentally to be a child or young teenager, but this changes on my mood and stress levels.