Here's A Weird Thing. . .

[Zef]

I'm wondering whether other people have noticed weird stuff related to PTSD and PTSD symptoms. Things that may be positive or negative, but are definitely odd in some way. Any weird stories that you want to share?

Here's mine. . .

I work near a wooded area, where there are lots of little creatures like birds and squirrels and other small, cute things. Generally, these little guys are not brave enough to get any closer than 15-20 feet (5-6 meters) from any of us humans who show up. A really brave one might get within 10 feet (3 meters).

When I need a break at work, I go to the this area because it helps calm me down. The Weird Thing is that pretty much every time I am dissociating badly and I go to this wooded area, the cute little birds and squirrels approach within 3-5 feet (1-2 meters) rather than hanging back at their usual distance.

I can't explain it. It happens pretty much every time. The animals seem to sense or know when my head is not completely there and they are significantly less skittish. It's not just in my head, because other people have commented on how close the animals approach me, when they have observed it from one of the office windows that face this wooded area.

What's your weird story or thing? :)

 

[equestrian4life]

I have lots of weird stories :).

But I wanted to just add to your post and say that when I'm particularly stressed, my three dogs pick right up on it...they get closer and try to comfort me. I think it's great that they come closer to you. Animals are EXTREMELY perceptive, wild or not! I think their reaction to you is pretty incredible. Sounds like you are blessed! I will share some weird stories when I have a little more time.

 

[WillyKat]

Wow! That's really cool.

Dissociation is an adaptive behavior to help us survive trauma. There's fight and flight, which we hear about a lot, but there's also freeze or dissociation. It makes us far less threatening, and in certain situations, if we're not perceived as a threat, we're not harmed. We survive the moment.

It's interesting to me that the critters would pick up on this. Pretty wild, if you ask me.

And @equestrian4life, it makes sense that your dogs come to comfort you when you need them most.

This is making my head spin.

 

[Spiderallis]

That reminds me of the wonderful escape I had in one rough situation- the back yard. I was living on the coast in a fairly remote vacation area, plenty of wildlife. The rabbits were a favorite to watch, they'd get much closer to me than anyone else. Every morning three deer would walk down the road, and every afternoon the pheasants would come visit the little goldfish pond in the yard. After the pheasants, a big grey cormorant would eat it's supper on the docks. I didn't really have any human friends while I was there, so the animals coming to visit meant a lot.

 

[Orglethorp]

@Zef - Animals are amazing that way. My family and I have owned cats and dogs that respond to our emotional states before the other people around us do, and one cat in particular could tell when (and how/where) someone was ill or injured. She would spend more time with that person, but avoid placing pressure on affected areas. It was most obvious with Grandpa, who had osteoporosis and routinely broke ribs. Normally she was his blanket at nap times, sleeping on top of him, but if he was hurt, she laid beside him and kept watch.

Personally, I've noticed animals are much more likely to trust/approach me than other people. Birds, squirels, chipmunks, etc. don't mind my presence as long as I don't make sudden moves in their direction, and if I care to try, I can often hand-feed them. Dogs with a reputation for being too high strung and ill mannered will sit calmly or even lay on their backs for me. I've ever met a cat I couldn't call to me and touch, and I have been followed home by local cats on a regular basis for as long as I can remember without any effort or encouragement on my part. My boyfriend's cat avoids everyone in the family except him, but even with Peter the cat comes for cuddles on his own accord and doesn't stay long. The cat isn't "trained" in any way at all. He owns the place and expects to be served. When I show up, he barely leaves me alone. He constantly wants to be up in my arms, purring away, rubbing his face against mine frequently. People used to tell me that cat doesn't like people, until they saw this behaviour. I can talk to him and get a response, whereas he ignores everyone else's voices. I can get simple tricks out of him for treats, whereas he expects everyone else to just toss a handful on the floor. If I'm having a roughly time with my PTSD symptoms, this cat wants to be with me even more. If Peter and I are shut in his bedroom and I have a panic attack or a flashback, not only does this cat know, but he starts trying to get through the door.