Curious - How Much Does Unexpected Noise Affect You?

[Tswevnz]

Heya
Since I had really overwhelming and emotional reaction to noise the other week-I've become curious as to how others experience it? None of my traumas had any noise relating to the ones I was exposed to - but I'm guessing it was more the hyper vigilance kicking in more than anything ?

Imagine sitting under a space where they are rebuilding stuff , unexpected HUUUUUUGE bangs, crashes, drilling, loud thumps , nailing..... Like continuously having a minor freight heart attack , jumping at every noise.

I became OVERWHELMED when it started and had to run outside and cry for an hour.
Can't explain why because intellectually I know it's just a couple of young boys hammering away , building new bathrooms - but the physical and emotional reaction is to run for my life at each noise.

Has anyone experienced similar things ? Also how does your surrounding accept it?

 

[SeanCharles]

For the last almost six years, I have been working in box store. In the beginning I was assigned to grocery. As expected I would be constantly dealing with the receiving warehouse as well as the sales floor. At first I did not realize exactly why I was startled easily at the sound of pallets being dropped on the floor or even people coming up behind me to do their assigned tasks of either disposing of cardboard in the baler or throwing trash in the compactor and slamming the door shut before activating the trash compactor.

This was before I realized that I had PTSD. I think I knew at the time I had it, but I didn't know the existence of hyper-vigilance. It wasn't until I moved to the deli and then last year had a seizure (I had gone off meds at the time and had not had a seizure until several things brought this one on, which wasn't the lack of medication I am suspecting!) After that seizure I began to do some missing link research. I was looking for a possible oversight and connection between ptsd and seizures and happened to find a post on this very site!

In terms of reaction to the above startle, Since I dissociate a lot and I also switch too, DID (Dissociative Identity Disorder), which helps to overcome the negativity of the moment.

I hope this helps.

 

[junglegirl]

It's very irritating to hear construction even without a burned out nervous system so it isperfectly normal to find it distressing if you have ptsd. It is more an issue of stress to your sensory nervous system than being directly related to the precipitating event. Ptsd makes us more sensitive to intrusive sensory stimuli. I feel irritated by my neighbors lawn mower for example. Because after all the trauma, I am systematically more sensitive. I hope this supports you in not judging your sensitive self too harshly.:)

 

[Healing Reins]

I can completely understand what you are going through. One of my traumas involves a shooting, so I (not as much as I used to) tend to jump at any loud noises. If I am in an area where I think there are going to be loud unexpected noises I tend to plug in.(Head Phones) and listen to music, or just keep my headphones in. For me I feel safe when I have headphones in. I don't know why I do, I just do.

I think ,especially after trauma, it's normal to be hyper-aroused (Is that even a word?...Well if not I just made it one!) I think your body is just doing what it needs to do to protect it's self. Even when there is no danger, maybe your body feels like it needs to protect it's self.

I don't know what your trauma was, but I can tell you that a lot of PTSD symptoms do get better with time, and processing through what happened, or is happening! So I have complete faith in you that you will overcome this and do great things! You probably already are doing great things!! :)

Oh maybe something you could do is to remind yourself that you are safe. I do that when I feel like I'm going to have a flashback.

I don't know if any of this helps. but I hope it does!

 

[ghotiff]

I too have difficulty with noise (but no noise related trauma memories). Random noise (such as construction) is the worst for me, but even music that I know, at a volume that my kids/husband like, is extremely difficult for me and increases my anxiety, and they know they can only have a couple of songs on loud if I'm home.

 

[Tswevnz]

Thank u for the great comments ! Hmmm I do live in New Zealand where we have experienced a few ...(when I say few I mean thousands) of earthquakes last 3 years. All though not the main reason for my PTSD - they sure as he'll aren't helping - even though u kinda do get used to them.
If I think it's going above 5 on the richter scale im outta there, running for my life.

Although I know PTSD generally subsides in the most acute symptoms - the whole survival instinct - is a fascinating thing. I mean it's there to protect us - the question is - will its over sensitivity ever go down? I mean I understand that other symptoms may settle but the whole "fight or flight" reaction - will that ever go away?

It was rather interesting watching the groups behavior in my office - we where at the end of the week - all extremely grumpy, on edge , no tolerans whatsoever. And this is so called "normal " functioning people without PTSD.

 

[Tswevnz]

I think the situation for me also brought out the realization of people's COMPLETE lack of understanding. My co worker that kinda has a management position for my group , she knew I broke down from the noise related trigger and she is the only person knowing about my PTSD. I tried to deal with a solution that would help me focus (and not freak out) at work better (headphones are great , but the noise was so extremely loud it even penetrated them) so I brought my laptop and went next door.

I was called back into the noisy room with the explanation "it's same for everyone" so ie we should all be punished. I mean I don't want to be treated differently , but this situation really DID cause a whole other level of stress emotions no one in that room would fully understand. So trying to fit in with PTSD really does come with a prize sometime. The fear of others believing we are just "over dramatic" really strikes me the hardest.

 

[Tinyflame]

Yes prolonged noise gets on my nerves- everyone's, as you said- it's just sometimes it doesn't take very long, or could be as simple as the radio on. If I know the context such as construction, traffic, music, sirens, then it doesn't startle me. Small noises do- click of a door, etc. Some are a bit of a trigger, like slamming doors or breaking glass.

Could you wear one industrial strength earplug and hide it under your hair?

 

[arfie]

Heavy silence effects me much more. Ironically, the hearing cursed folks in my life -I seem to be surrounded by them- invariably react with noisy violence when their silence is disrupted. The world will never be silent enough to please them. I am off to noisy places as soon as their silent gloom falls. They have me conditioned to the point where silence frightens me horribly.

 

[Tinyflame]

Yes all of it seems to be influenced by whether it is an environment of peace, or discord, or safety, or privacy (who is present and how trustworthy, or whatever the word), how much 'expectation' we have of something going wrong, internal factors, prolonged or over-exposure.

 

[ghotiff]

"It's the same for everyone"

I would consider claiming a migraine. Then, if they still won't let you leave, take a sick day.

 

[Tswevnz]

Gosh why didn't I think of that - I'm an idiot ! Thanks Ghotiff- will do next time. Arfie - maybe we could swap and meet in the middle :)