Physical Symptoms Of Ptsd

[pixel]

I would love to hear your experiences of physical PTSD symptoms.

Not the physical symptoms of anxiety or depression, or physical injuries from trauma/abuse; but please, symptoms you know you get from your PTSD, and please explain the link if you are able.

It will be interesting to learn how your past has brought about physical changes.


My PTSD impacts my hearing in 3 ways:

• I may hear your words, but they are unintelligible, I feel like you are speaking to me in a different language.
• I may see your mouth moving but no sound is coming out, OR:
• I am supersensitive to minutiae sounds and standard-life volume rattles my skull, it hurts.

I believe this is from the verbal / emotional abuse & manipulation, so that my brain has decided to close up shop in the audio department.
Or my brain does a complete 360°, and turns the volume UP, trying to detect covert signals and messages.


What are your physical symptoms?

This will help open up understanding of our symptoms and the creative ways the body adapts to survive.
:)

 

[hodge]

I am supersensitive to sound. Like you, normal life volume hurts my head.

I get easily overstimulated and if I don't nip it in the bud, which I usually can't do because life happens, it causes dizziness, nausea, sometimes to the point of vomiting, and disorientation. The only remedy I know is to lie down in a quiet place until it gets better. Sometimes this can take hours, and sometimes more than one day.

I get to the point in conversations that go on too long where I also cannot comprehend what is being said. Someone may as well be speaking gibberish to me. Eventually I get to the point where, if it goes on, I cannot even think of words to say. This most recently happened in my last therapy appt. on Monday. I was completely overloaded. And it was not bad stuff my therapist was saying. It was all good and helpful. But I got so overloaded after about 30 minutes that I was struggling to answer her questions and finally told her what was going on and that I could no longer comprehend her or even know what I was thinking, much less come up with words to answer her.

 

[trying2movefwd]

Lol!!! In group T the other day, the T kept saying something important qnd sharing a coping tip. I asked her if she would please repeat it cause I missed it. So she proceeded again, and then a third time. So she started on a fourth time getting really loud and for whatever reason she was speaking louder each time. Finally I said, It's not that I can't hear you, I can hear the volume coming out of your mouth. Finally she looked at me and said something about grounding when that happens and you dissociate she then made us all stretch. Lol....sooooooo glad to know that I am not a freak or alone in this problem.

 

[trying2movefwd]

Sometimes I think my eyes do not move. My jaw will hurt. I also have gotten dizy and passed out. My body twitches or jumps, hard to explain not always, but sometimes.

 

[hodge]

Do you clench or grind your teeth? I did that for years and it caused temperomandibular jaw disease, which sounds way worse than it actually is. But several years ago I did lose a back tooth because of it. It's a stress reaction of the body. My regular doc then told me to keep my tongue on the roof of my mouth, and I've made it a habit. And indeed, it does prevent you from clenching or grinding your teeth. That's a common cause of jaw pain. Do not wait until you have a loose tooth, like I did. Start the habit of keeping your tongue on the roof of your mouth and that effectively prevents you from grinding or clenching your teeth. It'll prevent the jaw pain and prevent tooth loss.

Though, I have to add, several years later, I saw my same doc for bronchitis, so she looked in my mouth and my throat. She remarked that it looks like I've been biting my tongue. I said, you're the one who told me to keep my tongue on the roof of my mouth! She didn't say anything more. Lol. Small price to pay. And I've been seeing her for almost 20 years and she is extremely, like anally, thorough and conscientious, so if there was anything wrong with her original advice, I know she would have told me.

Guys, also see this thread which is about body twitching or jumping and dizziness: https://www.myptsd.com/threads/i-really-didnt-want-to-ask-this-but-its-bothering-me.64303/

 

[EveHarrington]

With multiple diagnosis' it's impossible for me to determine without a doubt what is due to what. It's all linked really.

 

[Enaila]

I have the same hypersensitivity to sound as Hodge and Pixel. Tonight at the store I was also overwhelmed by the lights and constant movement of so many people. I covered my eyes and started to get dizzy. My friend beside me said to breathe deeply. I've physically have been holding my breath and don't realize it until I start coughing or become dizzy. Breathing deeply is something I am not good at.

 

[hodge]

Enaila, one thing that's helped me immensely is to do my shopping at the smallest stores nearest me whenever possible. Our supermarket is the largest place I usually go to, and 90% of the time hubby goes with me, which helps me enormously. Luckily, we have a little mom and pop pharmacy where I get my rxs and they also have the lowest prices on all OTC stuff, so we get it all there, and it's a nice small place. Not too overwhelming.

I just won't do big box stores anymore. They're not worth it. If I can't get it in town or get a store in town to order it, I'll order it online. I'd rather pay a few dollars for shipping than go through that dizziness and disorientation, not to mention the 60-mile round trip. But even if one was around the corner? I still wouldn't go. (Thank God there isn't one around the corner, because it would put all our beloved shops out of business. Something to be said for living in a tiny town.)

 

[mamachick]

I agree it is so very hard to separate the cause of symptoms and can only assume the cause. Being under constant stress can lower the immune system which will cause just about anything, so its really hard for me. I do have an immune problem. I have the auditory sensitivity that others have spoke about and super markets are the worst. (better at 7 am on sunday) but big box is intolerable. I was injured in a super market during a slip and fall so I can't tell what is head injury or could be fear-all the same to me. Could not tolerate being in loud crowd such as a dance or concert. I suffer headaches. I can not tolerate light well either.

Then there is irritable bowel and other stomach problems. I always thought I had a high tolerance to pain but seem to lost that. I have constant fibromyalgia symptoms. Pain meds cause stomach problems, so its an indirect result.

 

[pixel]

*shuffles feet shyly*

Since developing PTSD, a sporadic problem I get is minor incontinence. It comes during a stress-free, peaceful period of time.
I think it's due to my whole body relaxing somewhat. :wacky:

Still developing that theory, any other ideas? :O_o:

 

[hodge]

Aww, Pixel. No worries. Your theory makes sense to me. Unless maybe you're in your 40s or 50s, in which case, it could also be a natural part of aging.

 

[pixel]

@hodge that's a great idea about putting your tongue on the roof of your mouth! Should try that :hungry:

@trying2movefwd thats curious about your eyes not moving. What do you think is behind this?