What About Rage?

[way_back_when]

(point to nearby area where it is possible to stand and wait with back against solid wall.)"

"Hi y'all. I just asked Proffessor Smith for 5 minutes to let you know that I have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, usually just called Pee Tee Es Dee. You may see some unusual behavior from me during the course of our time together in this class. or you may not. It all depends on variables like how high my stress levels are at any time. For example, I may run out of the classroom some day. Don't worry about me if I do, I'm alright. I'll come back when I can, though it may not be until next class period. On the other hand, if you notice I got here early enough to sit right here by the door, and that's deliberate. I'd apreciate it if you'd leave this seat empty if you get here before I do. I don't want to hurt anyone, and when things get bad enough for me to take off like that I will lietrally run right over anything and anyone between me and the way out. Since we do a lot of study grouping and group projects, you should also know that I usually can't handle meeting in a crowded place --like the library between 11 and 1! Anyone have any quick questions?"

Early to class... sitting right next to the door (even have a note from the disabilities coordinator at college that "allows" me to do this without question - allows me to leave when I need to. I often feel the rage and call it irritability. It comes and goes and varies in intensity. I really appreciate that you wrote about this.

 

[Pi314]

Yes, I do feel civilian rage. Luckily when I'm in public, my mind doesn't go there (I shut down, instead). However, when I'm home alone and think of my ex-h and his family and what they had done to me over the years, I go into a pretty quick rage. It starts in the pit of my stomach and flows up through the rest of my body. I start to shake, sweat, clench my teeth (sometimes so bad I fracture a tooth). I get dizzy and sick to my stomach. It happens less since I ended it with him. This rage is always inward. I have learned from a very young age to shut off emotion around other people, so I do possess an emergency kill switch if someone happens upon me in this state. No one has ever witnessed it. Unfortunately, that skill only works when triggered by the presence of another person. I can't control it when I'm alone.

 

[blueangel371115]

Yes, I do feel civilian rage. Luckily when I'm in public, my mind doesn't go there (I shut down, instead). However, when I'm home alone and think of my ex-h and his family and what they had done to me over the years, I go into a pretty quick rage. It starts in the pit of my stomach and flows up through the rest of my body. I start to shake, sweat, clench my teeth (sometimes so bad I fracture a tooth). I get dizzy and sick to my stomach. It happens less since I ended it with him. This rage is always inward. I have learned from a very young age to shut off emotion around other people, so I do possess an emergency kill switch if someone happens upon me in this state. No one has ever witnessed it. Unfortunately, that skill only works when triggered by the presence of another person. I can't control it when I'm alone.

I'm familiar with this. It's made working difficult. I'm working on it though before my stomach is permanantly damaged.

 

[Tinyflame]

What is the best (and yet safest) way to respond to rage in others? What if walking away, staying calm etc seems of no avail?

 

[Jestadud]

What is the best (and yet safest) way to respond to rage in others? What if walking away, staying calm etc seems of no avail?

I would say don't touch them, stay a safe distance but keep talking to them as that keeps pulling them back to the present and allow time for them to calm.

 

[No Folded Hands]

Thanks for the appreciation way_back_when. I think there are a couple other people around who are in school or were recently, too. If you run into problems let me know if I might be able to offer some kind of insight based on exprience. School's a toughie with PTSD.

Junebug, I think it varies with the person! If you know someone has PTSD, and know them well enough, ask them what they find most helpful at such a time. You may even be able to ask when they hit a rage point, but don't count on that. I am not familiar enough with PTSD in civilians to advise anything then, but will make a couple of comments regarding veterans in general. First, I like Jestadud's ideas. Additionally, I think they don't respond to attempts to limit their freedom to move/exit a room/leave the vicinity so make that safe distance away a place in which you don't block them from those things. I would also suggest trying not to: a) be scared or act scared b) sound angry or upset when talking to them c) do anything that spikes their fight or flight mechanism further, such as have your hands in a hidden position d) do anything involving loud noises or any sort of violent action (from raising your voice to banging a door). Do keep in mind there is often a difference between controlled, uncontrolled, and unacknowledged PTSD. I think that unacknowledged PTSD is pretty scarey myself and frankly would never trust anyone with it to be able to recognize and abort/avert/switch/etc any hurtful impulse or idea.

 

[Tinyflame]

Thank you, and for the practical help. Rage seems to defy logic for anyone at those times, but your are right- 'unacknowledged' is a fact I've never considered (I don't know why?) But it helps to not do anything to escalate the situation (and I must say 'a)' can be difficult).
-Thanks again-

 

[way_back_when]

Thanks for the appreciation way_back_when. I think there are a couple other people around who are in school or were recently, too. If you run into problems let me know if I might be able to offer some kind of insight based on exprience. School's a toughie with PTSD.

Thank you! Link Removed

 

[Braze]

Thanks! you helped me to relise something that could be very important. I go into a blind rage (my fight response) when I feel helpless and a situation is out of control (particularily my control). I run away and hide (my flight response) when I sense danger (real or imagined). This is the first break thru I've had in over a year. Hopefuly it will me get the rage under control and the people I live with to better understand where it comes from. I've had PTSD since the age of 4, thats 23 years. I've never known another way to be. The depression or the rage? hmmm I'll take the depression any day. Depression only poses a threat to me, my rage is a threat to my family :( I'm a civilian and my PTSD come from both significant and small events. Sorry about my poor spelling. Thank you again!