Poll Do You Automatically Clench/Tense Up?

[Dylan]

Whoa - 19 of 21 have a very similar issue! It would seem that it IS PTSD related behavior.

Thanks everyone for your responses...I had just automatically assumed it was something odd about me as an individual, not another element of PTSD.

Thanks again,
Dylan

 

[This Ends Now]

Dylan,

Good poll. Body scan meditation is very good for this. I find myself clenched frequently. When I try to go to sleep I do a body scan and notice several muscles that are just locked into place. When I get triggered my hands and stomach are the obvious spots where my muscles get tense. It can be hard to will my fists open. Yoga, meditation, exercise, chanting, prayer, music... all are ways I try to get back to normal when this happens.

 

[On the Outside Looking In]

Oh, Yeah! Tense and clenched almost always! Especially my jaw, neck, shoulders, and hands. I get terrible headaches and migraines if the tension goes on for too long. I seem completely unaware of it until I notice the pain or consciously check my body! Once I notice it, I try to relax myself and unclench, but this lasts only for moments if at all.

To express the sentiments of others, it's a royal pain!!!

 

[Grama-Herc]

Voted Yes.

My entire body is one giant tense muscle. I grind my teeth while sleeping and I clinch my jaw when awake. You could bounce a soccer ball off my shoulders they are so tight.

 

[No-Twitch-Tabitha]

Oh, yes -- my neck, my shoulders, my er-- gluteal muscles. I've woken up with 2 charley horses before, but the last time that happened was a few years ago.

Whenever I'm feeling anxious or when startled, my shoulders go up.

 

[Deleted member 1860]

I tense up when dealing with tough therapy issues. I get horrible tension headaches. My heat pack has become my new best friend.

 

[Grainne]

I am constantly doing this - all of a sudden noticing that my muscles are clenched. Just this afternoon, I was driving realised that my leg was aching a bit...I moved it around to see if I could pinpoint the pain and found it to be locked tight. I relaxed it the best I could and continued. Not three minutes later...same again.

In fact, I often sit at work chanting 'relax, relax, relax' over in my head, trying to get my shoulders undone a bit. Sometimes, it's just easier when I don't pay attention.

 

[cragger65]

I have this same experience, and can catch myself a dozen or more times in a single evening tensing and shaking, even while doing something that most would find relaxing such as watching comedy on TV. I have found, however, that this is such prevalent and ingrained behaviour in me that constantly trying to relax the muscles is so time-consuming that I've decided to live with it.

Has anyone found something that works to alleviate this?

 

[CafeAulait]

I suffer from upper torso pain. Neck, arms and shoulders, but I'm not consciously aware that I clench up there. I'm quite sure I must. I have caught myself in a full body clench in bed on a number of occassions, as I was trying to relax in bed before going to sleep.

 

[naturalfirebrand]

My Toes

My new husband says if he sees my toes clenched he knows something is going on in my mind. I did not realize I did this. I try to pay attention to whatever my body is choosing to do with, or witthout my noticing.
Not as easy as you might think.

Linda

 

[cat]

I don't usually become aware of how tense I am until its too late. I clench my jaw during the day & grind my teeth during sleep so usually wake with a headache, painful jaw & very tense leg & arm muscles. When I'm anxious esp during therapy & curl up my toes, stiffen my neck & shoulders & according to my psych slightly shake my head which i'm not aware of doing.

I'm trying to improve my sleep by wearing a gum shield & using an electric blanket to help me relax. I also find a hot tub help with tension.

 

[kimmy]

Yes, I have always automatically tensed up with memories etc. However, I think I am always tense and it just tenses up more for me when in PTSD mode. My right side of my body more so than the left. Now I have TNJ, I am told and osteo to the whole right side and lower back. Get right sided migraines too. Use to get cluster migraines though they were the worst. I was diagnosed with chronic fatigue in 1991 and ended up with thyroid cancer in 1998 which I am told is in the DSM as common with people with PTSD. In recent years I have had , adenomyosis, fibroids , cysts tumors and colon cancer. All of these issues were resolved last year. Than for some reason I ended up with cellulitis of my right ear which quickly spread to my right side of my head? Did intravenous anti biotics for 10 days, followed by 7 days of oral antibiotics and drops. Than 6 months later, it flared up again, so off to emerge again for more anti biotics. Phew, I guess we get sick alot. Lately I am as white as a sheet. I am hopeful though, atleast I know my way back to myself , it could be worse.