Does Good Weather Make You Feel "unsafe?"

[nycowboy]

Hi. Bullied as a kid, pretty severely. Now I have hypervigilance and don't feel safe very often. I look over my shoulder at times if I hear someone's footsteps... there is more, but not the point of this thread.

When it is winter (I'm in a cold climate) I feel safe. The days are short and it is too cold to be outside.

But as soon as the weather improves, my anxiety levels go through the roof, at least until I get adjusted to the better weather. May is really bad. There is more light, more people outside, more "danger." More "invaders" to my safety.

Do any of you have this same issue? And, if you do, how do you deal with it?

 

[Definitely..maybe]

I think I can relate! I like being stuck inside, then I don't feel guilty staying in all day. I much prefer it to be darker outside or rainy- I feel much less vulnerable I think.

I really haven't found a way to make myself feel better, I just face it. But id love to move to seattle!

 

[Anrish]

I think I can understand you. I also feel more comfortable when it's colder. When the weather becomes warm and sunny, you have to more less clothes (if you don't want to sweat) and that's why I start to feel vulnerable. People will see me body, I don't like. I also have the problem that I get headaches and migraine when it's too bright and warm...and then it's hard to keep things under control when I have to struggle with this.

I try to stay inside my flat during daytime when I don't have to go to work. That's all I can do...

 

[Fadeaway]

I don't, just the opposite in fact, but it makes perfect sense why someone would feel that way. I think time of year that traumas take place could probably affect this feeling for someone. If your trauma happened at a time of year that was bright and sunny and lot's of people out and about that could cause anxiety with out even making that connection.

For me, one of my traumas happened 2 days before Christmas. Driving past houses with Christmas lights can set off my anxiety and make me feel unsafe. Christmas lights are more like warning lights to me, blinking, "Danger, danger." even though I know it is irrational.

I don't know if this is the case for you, but I figured it might be something to look at.

 

[Neverthesame]

I feel this way as well. For me, I think it is because my trauma happened on a beautiful warm summer night. I also cannot for the life of me, remember the date that it happened. So I tend to get the anniversary gitters as summer rolls in.

 

[nycowboy]

Fade: never thought of this. The worst of the bullying tended to happen when I was walking home from school off the bus, and that wouldn't happen when it is cold and snowy out. hmmm... the puzzle is starting to come together.