General Does this sound like PTSD, please help

[TTC18]

exaggerated startle response

For me, it looks like this - if there's a loud noise, I jump. If someone knocks on my door I jump and may even squawk/scream a little. Looks like being really jumpy. Easily startled.

 

[ruskin]

It does sound like considerably more than PTSD alone, and I agree with the possibility of BPD. That seems fairly likely. You don’t actually mention much that suggests her primary struggle is PTSD. She likely does have that, but a lot else is going on as well.

That being said, the fact that you are even suspecting extended family of mental illness too and trying to diagnose them, and list things like possible psychosis, OCD, suggesting various personalities, eating disorder behaviors - she could be severely mentally unwell with a handful of major clinical disorders. It also could be that she is a manipulative jerk and it’s time to figure out how to get untangled from all her manipulation and for you to focus on taking care of you now.

Thanks Justmehere, read your post, thanks for posting. I wonder if I or for that matter she ( or we) will ever know. I ended up out of the house as she would rather end the marriage than consider things were not quite right. There is a chance she may reach out to me but will need cross that bridge when i come to it,
Its been a tough one.

thank you

 

[Kubash16]

Thank you Phoenix, i will look up "exaggerated startle response" thats a new term to me. I have to be honest my suspicion is with BPD. Can't remember if i mentioned in the orig post but i am now out of the relationship, told to leave our home after trying to get her to agree to getting help....

thanks for your time and words

For me the response is more to do with people. I can handle loud noises. But I absolutely cannot handle someone walking up behind me, I will jump out of my skin every time. If someone who I don’t trust is too physically close in my space I can’t focus on the conversation at all, I am shifting around as much as I can to get out from them and my brain can only focus on escape.

 

[ruskin]

Good.... My suggestion is to get some support for your own mental health - what you've been through is a lot to recover from.

Thanks, i believe you are right. looks like alot to resolve
to be honest i am in a bit of disbelief over it all

 

[TTC18]

I absolutely cannot handle someone walking up behind me, I will jump out of my skin every time.

Oh my GOSH I know, right!?! I'm back-to-the-wall perpetually. If I have to keep my back to an open area, like standing in line, it's awful.

 

[Kubash16]

Oh my GOSH I know, right!?! I'm back-to-the-wall perpetually. If I have to keep my back to an open area, like standing in line, it's awful.

Yup! If I’m stuck in a situation like that I am constantly looking over my shoulder and I cannot relax whatsoever.

 

[ruskin]

For me, it looks like this - if there's a loud noise, I jump. If someone knocks on my door I jump and may even squawk/scream a little. Looks like being really jumpy. Easily startled.

Hey thanks for sharing, mm my W is a bit like that, so i have seen that. One of a few examples would be if in the car i spray the soappy stuff on the windcreen, via the car (pulling the lever) my W will be startled, or when the windscreen wipers start

 

[TTC18]

How about hypervigilance? (constantly watching for threat) Avoidance? (avoiding stuff that reminds her of her trauma)
For me, hypervigilance looks like watching EVERYWHERE for my ex-husband, and double-checking door locks, etc. Avoidance means avoiding men entirely. And any area where I've been stalked, anywhere he's found me. Anywhere I've even talked to him on the phone.

 

[ruskin]

How about hypervigilance? (constantly watching for threat) Avoidance? (avoiding stuff that reminds her of her trauma)
For me, hypervigilance looks like watching EVERYWHERE for my ex-husband, and double-checking door locks, etc. Avoidance means avoiding men entirely. And any area where I've been stalked, anywhere he's found me. Anywhere I've even talked to him on the phone.

Ref hypervigalince i am not sure, i know she sure picks up on the use of words and i hear a lot of "are you trying to.." avoidance, of course she did use to do this (i used to try help too like turn off the TV when inappropriate stuff came on) but these days she is different and will let it all play... likely she has given up avoiding

 

[ruskin]

Ref hypervigalince i am not sure, i know she sure picks up on the use of words and i hear a lot of "are you trying to.." avoidance, of course she did use to do this (i used to try help too like turn off the TV when inappropriate stuff came on) but these days she is different and will let it all play... likely she has given up avoiding

when i say pick up on words i mean she is always looking for hidden meanings that are just not there. Always need to choose words carefully

 

[TTC18]

likely she has given up avoiding

I'm sure someone else will have some thoughts - but for me, avoiding isn't something I could just give up. It's harder to give up avoiding than it is to give up cigarettes. For me, anyway.

 

[ruskin]

seems like alot of symptoms going on PTSD (which she has a diagnosis of already) and something else too, cheers for your help
very very kind and appreciated