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In The Dark

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Lucycat

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Hi,

I've been dealing with this CPTSD for nearly a year now. I really thought I was coming out the other side until last week when I totally flipped, and lost control again. OK so it was only a week, and after an increase in meds and lots of support from my T. I was back to feeling good again.

Until last night.

I was away overnight for work. In a hotel, alone. Had eaten my dinner and retired to my room to watch TV. Then there was a power cut. The whole Island was in darkness. I had just the light from my mobile phone- but no signal, as I presume the mast was down too. I freaked, panicked. It was awful. I just could not think logically what to do. I knew my phone was not fully charged and feared it would give up on me too.

After a long time I heard other guests in the corridor. I peeped out to see actually there was emergency lighting in the corridor. I had not even thought to look. As these guests were just arriving they were being shown to their room by candlelight. The staff member offered me a candle too, so that was a great relief.

Then, of course I was scared to go to sleep in case I burn the hotel down! I did not want to put out the candle and be plunged back into darkness.

Eventually after a few hours a generator was put into action, so I managed to extinguish the candle and get some sleep. But I was awake so early, and got up. I just could not wait to get out.

I am not normally afraid of the dark, and if that had happened in my own house I would have known the layout and where the torches are kept etc. I hate the fact that I have made a Big Deal out of a simple power cut. The 'Old Me', before diagnosis, would have laughed off the whole thing. The 'New Me', is a nervous wreck!!
 
I think I too, would have totally freaked in the same situation. I really do think you had a very 'normal' reaction.

It is unlikely to ever happen to you again, but I know if it had happened to me once, I would take a torch away with me in future. Nothing massive, but a small maglite or similar. Just for peace of mind.

You 'got through'; ok, you had a rough nite, but you didn't totally freak out - so well done! I think there will always be 'blips' in our healing. The key is not to let it overshadow how far we've come or dwell on it too much. You haven't failed, you just had a brief moment where you didn't cope too well. It happens to us all; PTSD or no PTSD.
 
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