Is Ptsd Necessarily A Bad Thing?

[AngelaMarie]

The thing about PTSD is we don't have control. I think being hibervigilent helps up cope. It is just who we are. I just get tired of thinking different, acting different than others that function better daily and don't suffer all the psychological issues we do. Gosh, I hope that makes sense?!

 

[Anna]

With hypervigilance, I'm more in control of the situation. Has anyone seen PTSD in this light?

Yes, but I guess it depends on how you cope and deal with it. When I was younger and had no control it was not good. I was a lose cannon so to speak. Now I have matured and gained control, yes it has it's positive sides as well.

When I was younger I was not in control, it controlled me. Through therapy I have learned to be in control. It really depends on the individual and how they cope.

 

[EloiseLandau]

I don't think I'm anymore in control of my situation because of PTSD.

Thank you Barberian. I think I have the same thing; I have better control over my responses due to other factors like therapy, but I think hypervigilence only increases my awareness.

 

[PTSD sufferer]

With hypervigilance, I'm more in control of the situation. Has anyone seen PTSD in this light?

I don't know much, but I think with time and healing, hyper-vigilance can have some benefits. Of course that hyper-vigilance needs to be directed toward the appropriate situations and the appropriate amount of reaction to suit that situation in response. I naturally prefer to flight than to fight by the way.

In the early years of my diagnosis, hyper-vigilance was in override, which meant a constant state of high anxiety that I had no control over, and that was very, very unhealthy. My anxiety stopped me from doing a lot of things, including leaving the house! Not good.

In my opinion, control comes when the 'hyper' is gone and 'vigilance' is left that is directed appropriately at situation and with appropriate response. It is when you are in control of your illness and it is not longer controlling you.

I have always been a very observant person, and have quite a visual memory and that has not helped at all when I was unwell. Simply being unwell, put me in situations that were not always wise (like sitting in the middle of a mall for hours in full flashback mode, I was unaware of my surroundings, until my hubby found me sitting there quietly writing in my diary and it had turned dark out). But that is flashback waterfall mode, based on a trigger, and not hyper-vigilance.

But, when I am in control of my symptoms, and it becomes 'vigilance' without severe anxiety (that is harmful), or flashback waterfalls (which are harder to manage), I can direct the appropriate amount of reaction for what the situation warrants.... that is, it becomes just vigilance (without the hyper), then I find it, in a weird way, comforting, because I now know when to walk away and avoid sticky situations, and I can control my reaction to the situation. Is that what you are trying to explain?

I still have to overcome the disassociation that comes with the symptoms, which is my bug-bear. I prefer to be aware, than not, as I feel safer that way. Although practically not easy, I can ground in about a minute now (yay), and readjust my reaction to the situation. Maybe, that is being in control?

Vigilance and my experiences, does make me pay attention more, and not just dismiss things in my environment like normal people do (i.e. you think you see something and just shake it off). Instead, I look closer, and go with my gut a bit more than a normal person might. I don't always look like a scared rabbit in headlights, but that is because I am aware, can logic the situation, can assess whether there is a threat in real life or internally I am having a reaction, be vigilant and stay in control of my symptoms.

My hubby, reacts with some anxiety and anger to certain situations that make him uncomfortable, because he doesn't like it or it makes him feel unsafe - normal reaction. But the level of anxiety is far less than a person with PTSD. The appropriate response is to move away from something that makes us feel uncomfortable, and we do that, but we don't spend the rest of our time looking over our shoulder without good cause.

Is PTSD necessarily a bad thing? Well, its not nice at all, but IMHO it is not the worst mental illness in the world to have, because we can heal to some extent more than other illnesses. If you always try to keep your feet firmly planted in the present and learn to logic the situation, then IMHO you on on the path to being in control and that goes for hyper-vigilance too. The skills I personally have learnt in T, have impacted more than just my illness, it has made me a better version of myself - that is the good I take from the illness.

 

[shell]

My first reaction to this question, was are you kidding, actually it was probably a bit ruder than that! But my hyper vigilance saved my work mate from being badly hurt or killed.

We were half way across the crossing, a forklift had stopped at the crossing to allow us to cross, when another forklift came flying up behind him, over took the stopped forklift and flying through the pedestrian crossing.

I had seen it coming from out of nowhere, because I am constantly scanning for danger. I had to scream at my friend as she just kept walking oblivious to the danger, it missed her by about a foot.

 

[intothelight]

In my opinion, control comes when the 'hyper' is gone and 'vigilance' is left that is directed appropriately at situation and with appropriate response. It is when you are in control of your illness and it is not longer controlling you.

That is a great point. Being "vilgilant" or observant has been a real advantage in some situations. I have found it very valuable when driving as I really am a defensive driver.

 

[Tinyflame]

For me, hypervigilance is associated with danger. So if the circumstances justifiably warrant it, it can be useful. However, even subconsciously it becomes a problem to turn it off- therefore one is looking for an explanation in the present for the reason for the feelings that doesn't necessarily exist (they are not appropriate or 'required'). Then, there ends up insomnia, or even that crushing feeling to flee, or triggers to benign things or events, etc.
JMHO, of course.

I think the negative aspect of hypervigilance is that it is the opposite of relaxing, and it is very hard to feel 'safe' when you can't relax, too.
Also, it gives a false sense of control sometimes, as only some things we can control. I sometimes wonder if it's the brain's way of trying to 're-write' a trauma history, and ensure it won't ('can't') happen again.

I think it is exhausting and breaks the body down. And also adds to the 'stress cup'.

I can think of ridiculous examplesthat are not useful to me, personally. For example, I can hear the kitchen clock ticking at night from 2 floors away. I have been sitting in church thinking of what to do if someone walks in with a gun, not for my sake but thei. I hear icicles melting and falling off the roof/ trees (Yay- spring coming :) ), and I hit the ceiling. I think thoughts like that are what are abnormal and makes one feel like they are 'nuts'. Because sure they may have a place, but not during 99% of daily life (hopefully).
For me, I may be aware they are passing thoughts, but I'd prefer to not be reminded (or triggered) to think them. Even though they can have their place in some professions, driving, supervising children, health care etc.

 

[Tinyflame]

It makes me think also that hypervigilance has a component of watching for, or anticipating, or preparing to deal with or avoid, the worst case scenario.

I think that is possibly why, when you have had happen things that 'shouldn't', for 'us' it seems as potentially 'possible' as anything else, at any moment on any given day, whereas for others it would never cross their mind.