Welcome to the forum Kirsten. I am only speaking for myself, but I much prefer to answer in the threads or by PM, it gives me the time needed to think and also rephrase if necessary. As you would appreciate, sometimes you just can'
t think straight, or could be angry at what someone has said and just speak your mind. In the chatroom, you are stuck.
I have what they call "hyper-vigilance" due to constant duty since 9/11
Hypervigilence is a common symptom of PTSD. Generally over time your hypervigilence should diminish, as long as you are dealing with your traumas. It can re-occur though in times of high stress.
. I was hoping to talk to some others like me online.
Well you have come to the right place as this forum is for combat veterans only and the majority of us suffer the same symptoms as you. We also have a couple of female veterans on here too.
I don't like crowds so that may be my issue when going out to meet people. Small groups are ok and military affiliated only. I don't feel safe around normal civilians. I have had a lot of close calls accident wise and feel that triggers a lot of my PTSD.
Anxiety around crowds is normal. I think I can safely say all of us have suffered from this. I used to go shopping at 6 am because i knew not many people would be around. If there were too many people in the line, I used to just leave the trolley and walk away. In the early days I used to be almost physically sick. Its all to do with anxiety and feeling safe. If you are having therapy then they should have talked to you about this. You have to conquer it otherwise it will eat you up. I still get anxious in large crowds or at real busy days at the shopping mall, so on days like those I just don't go.
PTSD hampers a large amount of our lives but we have to deal with it. I was a single parent for 4 years. If I had let PTSD rule my life then my boy would not have got fed. Dont let it beat you Kirsten.
