Curious - How Much Does Unexpected Noise Affect You?

[Neverthesame]

I work on a loading dock. Loud noises are a constant occurrence, and source of frustration. The one that bothers me the most would be my door buzzer. Even after six years, I still jump out of my skin every time someone presses the stupid thing.

 

[Bill Dickerson]

Crying kids don't bother me. At times in the Emergency Room and you knew something bad was coming in it could an unbearable wait. Hearing them cry as they came through the doors meant they were alive.

As for now I don't do well with a silent house. I hear every creak and pop. I may keep the TV, a radio, and a PD scanner on at the same time. I just listen to them all at the same time and focus on what interests me at the time. A silent house feels overwhelming to me.

 

[LGC]

It definitely can get better.

I noticed a particular one the other day, in fact ... my husband tends to hit the doorknob fairly hard when he comes out of the room - and the clatter used to send me absolutely through the ceiling! Heart racing, the big jump, everything.

He did it the other day and I just went "argh I wish he could do that a little more quietly". No jump. No startle. Just a minor annoyance.

There's hope!

Also, there's Prazosin. :) I take it at night to help me sleep but also in the day to help keep me a little less tightly wound. It's made a big difference.

 

[xena21]

Yes it definitely bothers me too! Shrieking kids is tough. Any type of unknowing noise is hard to deal with. It definitely helps when you are told about something ahead of time. I really have a hard time with screeching children. I think because it just seems like they might be in danger. Of course they never are, but my alert goes up to 150%.

I was in the military so artillery doesn't bother me unless out of place. I always jump at unnecessary noises. It is a part of me now. I appreciate the safety that artillery offers. I know many don't understand that part, but I do. I appreciate all that the military does to keep us safe.

Beyond the military, I don't see the noise option. I feel safe with quiet. Where I live we don't have military options and I know that. I like quiet and I expect quiet. I am not afraid of noise but I am also on a suicide mission most of the time.

 

[BlackbirdSinging]

Any noise that's loud and unexpected makes me jump so visibly that people notice and laugh. My sister's phone had some kind of alarm go off tonight and I jumped so much she made a comment and laughed. Without looking at her I said "I have a startle response". There isn't one specific sound. It's just anything loud and unexpected. If my mom drops the remote and I don't see it falling I almost jump out of my chair.

Ironically total silence without some kind of background sound like a bird outside or a car in the distance feels like something heavy closing in on me. I like quiet but not silence. Complete silence makes my hypervigilance go way up.

Another interesting thing is even noise that is expected if there is a lot of it overstimulates me.Things like being at the grocery store and the cash registers are making noise and kids somewhere in the store are crying. And the sound of so many people talking all at once is like an overload for me sometimes. It actually makes me feel like I do when I'm in a dissociated daze. And I feel like I have to get away from all of the sounds.

 

[ghotiff]

I really have a hard time with screeching children. I think because it just seems like they might be in danger

Wow....I just had a moment of clarity. I struggle with children crying ... it make so much sense now.