Halloween Pranks Triggers Panic Attack At Work

[canucklady]

I am usually ok with Halloween, it is not a particularly triggery day.

However I do get triggered when someone sneaks up behind me. Which is what happened at work today. Walked into my office and co-worker who was hiding behind door jumps out and scares me. He was dressed as grim reaper.

I was shaking so badly and almost in tears. Luckily held it together until got to ladies room. My boss asked if was ok, just told him wasn't feeling well. I managed to stay at work, but didn't get much accomplished.

I have been trying grounding techniques, but don't seem to be working. Doesn't help that the fall is bad time of year in particualr and November is when I totally fall apart usually.

Just wanted to tell it people who understand I guess.

 

[Sandra]

Scaring anyone at anytime is not my idea of being funny. What per say you had a health problem they didn't know about. And not just with PTSD. Which could have caused a problem with. I hope you are able to deal with this soon.

 

[Happy Head]

I'm so sorry canucklady. I understand for sure. One time at work someone came up behind me and yelled and I didn't think twice, I turned around and hit them in the stomach. Probably not the best reaction one can have - but then again like Sandra said... don't scare people w/ or w/out PTSD - you never know...

 

[schnauzerbabies]

Wow, that must have been rough. Hope you feel better soon.

 

[Deleted member 1860]

I am so sorry this happened to you!

I just don't understand this "holiday" as it's built upon the premise that scary=fun...well, not so much when you have PTSD!

One of my groups of friends manages to spread the holiday over about 2 1/2 months. They just don't understand that getting scared is NOT fun for me! I end up avoiding these friends til about mid November!

 

[maddog]

I totally agree with this. Scaring people is all well and good when you know in advance that the other party is up for it, but should never, ever, be used as a form of surprise prank. Geez, this makes me very angry, people have no idea the damage they can do.

I had a recent similar experience, was meeting a group of friends for drinks and dinner after work and was very anxious and unsettled at the noisy crowded pub environment they had decided we should meet at, even though we had previously had discussions about the fact that such environments were very stressful for me. One friend and I met earlier than the others and had been sitting in a corner of the pub having a quiet drink and chat for a while before the others arrived. I'd been working hard to calm and settle myself and was starting to feel ok, and grateful to the friend who was with me and who seemed to understand.

Suddenly one of my other friends, who had arrived undetected, crept up behind us and yelled "boo" as she seized my friend by the shoulder. My friend shrieked in shock... I almost had a full blown panic attack and was distressed for the rest of the night.

I could have killed her, and this from a friend...

Sorry for the rant, just to say that I am sorry this happened, and while I suppose we all know in theory that it's probably healthy and in our best interests to speak up, even if only after the event, to explain why such behaviour is not acceptable, I know how difficult it is to actually do this, for so many reasons.

I do hope you feel better soon.

Maddog

 

[Sandra]

And possible too people's reactions can be very touchy. Per say the person jumped so bad and fell and could have hit their head on something during the fall.

 

[KP the nut]

I never minded Halloween, but this year I just couldn't face it. H put a notice on the door saying no trick or treaters please. I hate masks, the not knowing who is there.

I've never liked the idea of Mardi Gras type parades for the same reason, that and the crowds and noise, and that is from before PTSD.

I'm sorry this happened at work. We should all feel safe in our work environment. Maybe next year speak to your manager about how it affects you.

((HUGS))

 

[canucklady]

next year will just hide out at home!!!