Do Any Of You Over-react To Things Because Of Ptsd?

[nycowboy]

Hi.

I have been finding that I over-react to a lot of things lately.

My autistic son takes 8 napkins again instead of 1 to wipe his face. His mom had just told him not to do that.
I gave him what-for until I finally calmed down enough to tell him and show him how to take one napkin.

The neighbor's dog goes over the property line (again) and I feel the need to write the landlord and threaten legal action (until I calm down enough).

A dear colleague of mine suggests a better way of doing something and I rage at her. The next day I was finally able to tell her what was going on and that it wasn't her fault. I had over-reacted.

Does this happen to you too? Do you over-react to situations because of PTSD?

 

[Justmehere]

Check out the stress cup explanation;
https://www.myptsd.com/threads/the-ptsd-cup-explanation.13737/

In a nutshell, yes, this is very common.

 

[Bloomy]

Indeed it happens to me. Its cause we have our alarm system continously ringing the alarm bell. When exposed to trauma, the body's physiological alarm is initiated by secretion of stress hormones. Then theres little things that will reactivated the system later. We need to take time to make our body system learn that we are safe and it doesnt need to go of the bell all the time.Like mine do.

 

[scout86]

Yes, that's probably the "symptom" I have that other people notice the most. (And the one that gets me in the most trouble!)

 

[nycowboy]

Thank you, friends!

Justme: wow! that helped.

Now to figure out what to do when I start to fly off the handle :)

 

[Lucycat]

Oh yes!!
It makes you feel really stupid afterwards and everything seems such a big deal. My last big melt down was about whether or not dinner was quite ready - I lost it completely. Luckily I have a very understanding husband and a cat that pays no attention.

 

[Panda Bear]

Trauma brain....

It can get kinda messy and hazy inside that noggin. Trauma brain can't always be reasoned with and needs time to settle. Takes learning and skills to recognize how to reason with your trauma brain, but it's possible.

Happens all the time here too....I'm learning. But yes, what you're experiencing is very common.

 

[RussH]

overreaction is a part of PTSD. Something inconsequential happens, and you blow up, or fall apart. It really stinks!

 

[rosey]

yes I am an over reactor goes with my over thinking I hate it. For me the most frustrating part is the confusion it creates afterwards in assessing it, was I overreacting because of my ptsd or did I have a genuine case. Most non ptsd people would not even question their actions and just see what they did as what they did. I have found that since I have started with meditation and mindfulness my over reacting is cooling off a little.

 

[Deleted member 541]

Used to be that way.... These days the thoughts may be in my head, but I keep them there, and I don't let the rage out. I used to be a down right lunatic when I would explode. Now, not so much, I think before I speak, most of the time. Till some asshole really pisses me off and then I don't care how big they might be, I just lambaste them. So yeah, I understand completely.... Doesn't happen very often at all, but on occasion..

 

[lostforgottensoul]

Over react is my middle name.

Yes, the stress cup explaination is about the best Ive seen for PTSD but in addition i have Borderline Personality Disorder so have extreme intense emotions which causes over reaction by it self.

So yes, I over react a lot but im learning to regulation emotions a bit and its easier with medication that 'cools down' the emotions and learning to tolerate distress a bit better and learning to feel the anxiety spike before I explode so i can remove myself or today, i mentally grab onto some tools and deploy them so i can have the heated convo im currently in without exploding.

Its a process thats taken a long time to learn but im learning it, slowly getting better. Its doable.