Ptsd Reactions And Emergencies

[Gamera3000]

This is my first thread, so pardon me if I put it in the wrong place.

I had a random memory and thought it might be interesting to toss around. Have you ever found yourself in a situation where having PTSD seemed to help you react to an emergency better than other people? Or maybe the opposite?

My experience below:
What happened to me was that I was dating a guy who I think also had PTSD. We were in a parking lot with two friends. Another friend drove up. He had just smashed a mirror, was drunk, and stumbled out of the car, covered with blood. My two friends walked straight toward him. Instantly. They got very close to the guy and started talking to him. They didn't check the car he came from either.

The guy I was dating and I stood where we were, and then angled back away from the rest of the people. We couldn't tell what was going on. One of us said something like, "Idiots" and the other agreed. I think in that situation the guy I was dating and I saw something that was potentially dangerous and were willing to leave our friends rather than walk toward danger, which is probably something we have done before. Maybe why we survived our pasts and why we had PTSD.

 

[Silver.]

I personally feel like this is just common sense and don't see how it relates to PTSD. Others are sure to have differing opinions though.
Glad you joined the forums, this is a good place with some great posts and people. Welcome :)

 

[Casey_03]

I think that, while it's true that people with PTSD are more likely to be vigilant for signs of danger, it's also true that many people with PTSD would see danger and rush towards it in that situation rather than backing away. For some people, PTSD makes them more prone to seek out danger.

 

[Deleted member 34328]

My opinion (just an opinion) backing away from possible danger is wise and common sense. PTSD does tend to make us more aware of our surroundings. We sense perceived danger. So maybe in this case, your own senses alerted you both to something others might not think about before rushing in to a situation. Don't really know.

I do know that because of my PTSD and the coping tools I've learned, I've been able to pass along some valuable helps as well as have a greater compassion and empathy towards other situations and people. I don't need to say anything about PTSD to read between the lines. I just respond based on experience. So yes, some of your instincts can have a positive effect on others.

Don't know if this makes sense or not.

 

[StellaBlue]

My ability to dissociate, along with a tendency to be in total denial during life-threatening situations, was extremely helpful when I had cancer. A number of people commented on how nonchalant I was while I was being treated.