Sufferer Increased symptoms when you're alone?

[Justmehere]

so he will purposely scare me to "play"....he means no harm...but good grief it's killing me.

I have had friends and family and partners do the same! They mean it in fun and I jump and oh it’s terrible.

Talk to him.

Everything you are describing is your body/brain in fight or flight overdrive, typical stuff with PTSD.

You don’t have to divulge the trauma to him, in fact, I really strongly suggest handling that only when you are ready. Sharing all the details about it can sometimes stir up symptoms.

But, this weekend, with the two of you, is possibly a great time to explain you’ve been to a counselor about some things you are not ready to talk about (unless you are) and tell him how you are struggling now. Tell him you know his trying to have fun, and that you need to have fun in different ways other than being spooked.

It will be hard and you will feel vulnerable - but from one super independent person to another - I can tell you it’s worth it. It’s taken a lot of time and practice, but I’m now to the point where this past week, I was super sick. Trying to do it all on my own, realized ok, someone else probably would have asked for help... and it was easy. I asked for help. A friend drove me to the doctor and brought me chicken soup... and it was easy and felt good to be vulnerable in that way. Not scary. I realize this may seem like small progress, but for me it was huge and worth the battle to try to be a little less independent. One step at a time.

 

[Healing Hugs]

I get increased symptoms when I'm alone too. I can get panic attacks or Depersonlisation and the fear of being alone when they happen sets off my fear. It's like a vicious cycle. I used to enjoy being alone but recently I'm just terrified.

 

[littleoc]

YES! We are very much a like in those aspects. It's so so hard to place myself in someone e...

Looks like you got some wonderful advice. I just wanted to add one thing.

Being a Muslim is all about how you behave as a Muslim, what actions you do as a Muslim -- but those aren't necessarily limiting things. Women in the Muslim faith, historically, have been powerful and hardheaded in their own ways, and they did great things. I'm not sure what "branch" of Muslim you are, but I'm sure you respect the Prophet's wives (in a different way than the Prophet himself). He loved his wives so much, and did everything to allow them privacy when the first Muslims entered his personal home to pray together. He respected them and never used their backgrounds against them. He put so much love and trust into them -- and he cared very much about women being strong. And those women returned it -- his first wife especially. She owned her own trade and had hired him to look after it. She only asked to marry him after he proved himself as a capable partner.

Muslim women ARE strong and very important in the past and now. I won't go into a huge rant or anything but I do want you to know that being a Muslim does NOT limit who you are as a person. You are the way you are, and it's important to be who you are. <3

 

[Gs172003]

I do but at the same time he always wants to know every detail of absolutely everything. An...

Then don't tell him anything else until he can be safe to.
My husband used to be like that. I would confide in him and he would use those things as weapons in a fight or in one instance told my sister something he swore he never would. Its not worth it.
Right now maybe only tell him "I have multiple past traumas I'm trying to deal with.Because of those I have PTSD. " Maybe share resources of PTSD with him but not the details of what your dealing with.

 

[WillyKat]

Sometimes, the over-stimulation of being around others can create the anxiety. Then again, being alone sometimes makes it too easy to dwell on the past, or the future. Perhaps for you, being around others keeps your mind occupied on the here and now and everything going on may keep your mind from dwelling.

Being alone, for me, is usually preferable. However, unless I'm out walking with my camera or thinking about something that isn't dwelling on the past or stressing on the future, I'm good. When I get caught up in stressing about the future, which is what I've been doing all week, it doesn't matter much where I am.

Look into mindfulness and grounding. That will help you focus on the here and the now, and help you avoid dwelling on the past and stressing about the future. I almost suggested getting a hobby, but I think a better term is an activity that helps heal. For me, it's often writing, or hunting (with a camera) for the local critters.

 

[littleoc]

Sometimes your brain might try to process things when it has a moment.

That's natural even for people who don't have serious trauma. For example, that one time your said the wrong answer in third grade and your crush laughed at you. That'll haunt your memories at bedtime for years :P

Your brain has more stuff to get closure on. Maybe that symptom will diminish over time with some work?