Everthing Is Dangerous.

[macbeth]

I am apologizing in advance if this is the improper place to post this thread, however, I am referring to a fear based symptom, so hopefully it fits.

As my PTSD symptoms increased in their severity over the years, I came to realize it wasn't just things that were related to my trauma that triggered me, it was anything dangerous. (or so my brain perceived). Before I knew it everything was dangerous, I saw a threat everywhere. It is exhausting to live this way. I was wondering how many people here have experienced worsening of their symptoms over time and if it slowly spreads to other areas of life that were safe before?
Hugs for all and thanking you in advance.

Macbeth. :)

 

[TLight]

I used to be able to drive on freeways, now I'm terrified.....hell, I'm even terrified of the backroads, I flinch incessantly. Being around people seems to have gotten harder also.
I've had this since my breakdown at 29 and I'm now 50, so, hate to say it......it seems worse.

I pretty much just keep myself as safe and happy as I can.........NO STRESS ALLOWED. Seems I can't handle even a tiny bit anymore...

 

[franciemarnie]

When I burned out eight years ago, I was still working. I suddenly sensed danger everywhere "out there". I would take cabs when it was absolutely necessary to go out. (I never wanted to go anywhere anymore. The only safe place was my couch.)

I used to walk two miles home thru the city every day. I completely stopped walking anywhere and told a co-worker the reason was - and I knew it sounded ludicrous and paranoid and crazy - because "it wasn't safe out there." I knew literally nothing had changed in the outside world, but my body/brain was registering danger everywhere. It was exhausting!!

Like I say, I was burning out after decades of overwork and no real treatment of my PTSD. I had many big stresses pile up at the time and wasn't sleeping anymore either.

I ended up quitting my job and spending a lot of time sleeping (I had meds to sleep then). Eventually I stopped having that sense of danger everywhere, thank God.

Have you had a series of major triggers? Major stressors? How is your sleep? Have you been eating right? Did you go off meds by any chance or have they stopped working? Have you stopped drinking if you drank? What has changed? Many things can contribute to the feeling of a threat everywhere.

 

[Tanishq]

Macbeth, it looks you are suffering from hypervigilance. Alert everywhere. I know it can be exhausting, it is hard to stop. You can stop once your find the root of it and how you respond to it. I do suffer from this and it exhausts me pretty fast.

Do you feel you can't consume your stamina or the things you take isn't lasting for long to pass the whole day? Asking this to know what you are going through as you said you suffer from exhaustion.

I do sense danger is everywhere related to trauma I have. I feel I can't stand anywhere I would think like I used to do before. Days are completely changed.

I can relate to your query and your question very much. Please know, you are understood by me. :)

I was wondering how many people here have experienced worsening of their symptoms over time and if it slowly spreads to other areas of life that were safe before?

Mine symptoms have spread to some other areas of my life. Just like 1 or 2 area. It gave me hard time and right now trying to overcome it. I believe I will overcome it. I do believe if you don't receive treatment for PTSD it can spread into other areas of life and make it even more difficult. I am not saying you can't cure it on your own, sure you can do. I said this in case if someone is undiagnosed and doesn't have therapist like I don't have.

 

[JEKBreatheandBelieve]

I have always had, for as long as I can remember, I sense that the world is not a safe place. Until my PTSD showed itself, I didn't understand why. Things that were scary or dangerous before- things that kept me on high alert, but didn't cause me panic- now cause me to panic. The PTSD has confirmed that the world is not safe. However, I have somehow managed to still go out and live in this world. I have levels of my feelings of danger and as long as it is not too high, I can still function. It is exhausting though.

 

[Deleted member 19804]

Great thread, @macbeth !

I know I experience the exact same thing. My hypervigilance is extremely strong and it is so exhausting.. at the moment it tends to show itself in the form of an improportional need for cleanliness and sometimes hypochondria. I find it absolutely terrifying that the PTSD is getting worse, which is one of the reasons why I pressed on for EMDR treatment in spite of my therapist's doubts if I can handle it.

I believe it can be cured or at least relieved for the most part, but that one shouldn't let it get out of hand if possible. If PTSD really does get worse over time, I want to fight it right now.

 

[Deleted member 27340]

I have.