Poll Do You Have New, Unexpected Phobias With PTSD?

[LoveWins]

Since developing PTSD, I not only have very strong fears which trace back to my trauma, but I also have new phobias which I cannot link to the trauma in any way at all

The most noticable are spiders and needles. I used to be a catch the spider in a jar and throw it out of the window type. Now I scream and run
The needle thing is the worst of all. I used to be fine with blood tests etc, and now I just can't do it, I can't get anywhere near the doctors surgery if I think they may inject me or put needles near me, which is starting to be a real pain as I need to have blood tests as soon as possible. I keep putting them off

I know PTSD will generally heighten our stress responses at times. But these are true phobias and are starting to really get in the way. Do you have any new unexpected phobias?

 

[LoveWins]

Oh no...I completely forgot about the thread title. I'm sorry:( Bad few weeks

 

[Noone.]

Hello Love Wins.

Well I have one that really gets annoying but I take it for what it is.
It's especially hard at work because were so busy but I feel I have to wizz before
every run, probably anxiety or maybe I have the bladder of a 2 yr old, none the less
it's still a pain in the butt.

Take care.

Fire.

 

[SunnyBrookFarm]

Phobias that make no sense:
Can't go down an escalator (took me a long time to be able to go up one)
Heights
Snakes (well, maybe I can see that one after all........)
Spiders

 

[NarcSis]

My phobias have gotten slightly worse since developing PTSD...spiders scare me more than they used to but I can still squish em' - sorry all spider lovers - and I do have an increased anxiety when on the water...I have always had a fear of drowning, not necessarily a phobia but a rather intense fear; its a little more intense now.

 

[Roo]

Certain phobias have just gone poof! These I attribute to medication, 'cause nothing else could touch them. A few others have taken a little more work ... more conscious taming (i.e., dental work) ... a few will overtake me in extreme situations (i.e., lightning -- I no longer will tear down to whatever basement I can find and crouch in a corner -- though I do freak if caught outside or anywhere unsafe) ... and I've developed a new one that seems intractable: I will not get on a plane. I used to love flying -- as a kid I couldn't get enough of it.

 

[Deleted member 10686]

The phobia off the top of my head is linked very, very losely with trauma. Besides the other stuff that typically bugs me much more.. my abuser burnt our house down.

Now i can't use the oven without freaking out, cause it smells like fire.
I also will avoid using heaters at all costs because of the smell.

But the fire had nothing to do with an oven or heaters.

 

[Gamereign555]

Mine is driving. I am nervous about driving new places by myself now.

 

[Deleted member 10686]

Speaking of driving, I get intensely triggered when I am a passenger in a car. I haven't been in a car accident... I just can not handle being a passenger, not in control of the wheel. I have gigantic panic attacks like they are going out of style. Like I think that the person is going to crash and kill us at any moment.

 

[Gamereign555]

I know exactly what you mean. I also have had panic attacks when being in the passenger seats. I have gotten a lot better at that but it was difficult. Was never in an accident so it must mean something about feeling a loss of control. I don't know.

 

[Srain]

I never had panic attack or anxiety before I had a severe trigger just a month prior to being diagnosed PTSD...years AFTER the several actual incidents. I really don't understand it myself. I have also become very agoraphobic.

 

[Sethe]

I can't be a passenger in a car either. I've actually requested to drive cars in the past (lot of shame there).

My bridge/water phobia (ugh!) has gotten out of control. Related to some past trauma.