Poll Do You Believe That PTSD Affects You Physically and Mentally? If so, How?

[PTSDsirv]

I do not trust new people and have limited trust in most people I know. I try to resist the urge to find fault with people I meet. I do this as a mechanism so that when they "turn" on me, I have a weapon. I dissociate under extreme stress. I sometimes see the world around me as unreal. I sometimes forget what I did or emails I wrote. I am either not angry or really angry. I try to avoid the emotion of anger. I hate to be surprised or to feel trapped. I get stomach pains, shortness of breath--asthma, joint aches. Sometimes social obligations are really hard and emotionally draining. I am distant from my siblings. I intellectualize my emotions. Some nights I sleep in 2 hour increments. I am surprised sometimes that friends are even talking to me and seeming to enjoy my company.

 

[iwannadeletethis]

It effects my work out routine and what kind of job I can handle.

 

[InvisibleSun]

Absolutely! My physical and mental state have deteriorated drastically since I developed PTSD. Around the time of my PTSD diagnosis, I also developed fibromyalgia and autoimmune arthritis, as well as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and severe insomnia. My mental health has definitely not been the same, either.. My memory sucks, my anxiety is through the roof, my emotions are erratic and I'm quick to anger, I no longer feel the joy in life I once did..I've been exhausted..physically and mentally. I feel old beyond my years. No aspect of my life has been left untouched by PTSD and I am but a shadow of the woman I used to be..

 

[BlueDream]

I believe PTSD effects me both mentally and physically.
I'm 43 years old and I never realized that all of my thoughts, decisions, reactions, ect. that I make are biased on the survival skills I learned as a child. It seems so crazy to me now, that I have lived this way for so long and never realized why.
I also have physical symptoms from PTSD. When my anxiety level is high I have pain/numbness in my arm. This just started within the last 7 months. My eyes water, like I'm crying. My eye also twitches.
Anxiety is a nasty feeling and does so many things to your mind and body.

 

[NoWhereKnowWhere]

Well physical symptoms of anxiety heart racing, sweating, hearing loss, tunnel vision, feeling faint/fainting etc

Also long term: muscle aches from being tense too long and with the muscle strain, head aches. Upset stomach, I get every cold going I think that has a lot to do with my MH.
fatigue and aches. Excessively sweaty <~~ that's always a good one got sweaty feet atm for reasons unknown I've never had that before. Spots from stress. I could go on and on but it might get more embarrassing. high levels of stress are not good for you long term, mentally or physically

 

[SunflowerHoney]

Definitely. It was my physical symptoms that led to dozens of tests, most with inconclusive results, that eventually led to my ptsd diagnosis. Extreme fatigue to the point of being unable to shower, get dressed, run simple errands or hold down a job. Some physical maladies I have are chronically low white count as well as adrenal exhaustion and insufficient cortisol production. I guess I used it all up when I was baby/child trying to self-soothe. No conclusion was made regarding cause of low white count, but it does contribute to fatigue and frequent contraction of viruses. Emotional and physical stress from trying to go to work every day always eventually leads to a 'crash and burn' as somebody else described. The only job I can hold down is one I can do from home at my own pace Besides the physical limitations, I am also prevented from working with other people because of my hypervigilance. I am constantly on the lookout for whether I have angered anyone or if my performance will result in being penalized or fired. Prior to the onset of my symptoms I was a great employee with an awesome work ethic. I was able to get along with most of my coworkers at any job. I am guessing those constant emotions took the physical toll that cause me to take way too many sick days.

 

[Gadgie]

Yea! I get that tired feeling quit a lot as well, no energy, I have to force myself just to get out of bed in the mornings.

The anxiety every time I leave the house to go shopping, I always try to get in and out the store as quick as I can?
My heart rate increases, I start to sweat and I feel like I'm going to sick. However, I'm pushing myself to go out more, as I'm determined to beat this thing, as I want my life back.

 

[Bluemoonwillow]

Physically, I have a huge weight problem, I actually don't eat for days then when I do it is all junk food, I get physically ill whenever I think of my abuse or abuser, I even have a hard time reading some of the posts because they are a bit triggering and I have to find ways to keep myself grounded while reading. I have random inexplained pain when I am doing something I now know is associated with the abuse. I start sweating, and shaking and feeling like I need to run for reasons I can't explain yet. I used to sit and punch my legs until they were solid bruises to deal with the emotional pain, because physical pain was easier for me to deal with. The smell of alcohol drives me into a rage. I have asthma, triggered by stress.
Mentally I have many avoidance tactics developed because I was never allowed to feel the pain. I have fear all the time, I am never good enough, no one can love me, I am not worth the air I breath. Just going to Therapy was hell, trying to stay on topic to get through discussions of the abuse became almost pointless. I would go in and intentionally go to talk about something, sometimes like wake up toward the end of the session with the Therapist just kind of staring at me, but feeling like I was unable to convey what I wanted, which is weird because I don't even know what was discussed. I have to work at making human contact with my son, friends and family. I want sometimes nothing more than to isolate myself and never crawl out of bed.
Yeah I would say it has affected about everything about me it can.

 

[DharmaGirl]

sweaty feet atm for reasons

What does atm mean?

 

[NoWhereKnowWhere]

@DharmaGirl atm- at the moment.

Is that the bit you mean?

I just had really sweaty feet while I was replying and thought I should share it with everyone for some strange reason. :laugh: Lol

 

[DharmaGirl]

lol, that's ok, I was cutting firewood and was sweaty all over

 

[RockChick]

Apart from all the other stuff the others have already said, sometimes I feel like an animal = no higher reasoning powers, just the Flight or Fight, kill or be killed. I think that's the worst symptom for me.