You Know You Have PTSD When...

[Ronin]

When you just loove commemoration days, because it's outside world reminding you why you're so f*cked up every year you lose track of it.

(Swear to god. Some dates & blanking them out & being a mess annually = :banghead::bag:. Had a moment I just stared at some signs and was all 'Ha. It's that close to 11/11. That explains things. Dear brain, restart.')

 

[PreciousChild]

When you can't leave a store because the security guard is saying "bye, have a good day" to everyone. You wait until he's distracted, but stays put, so you work up the courage to leave, practicing what you'll say in your head - "thanks, you too." Phew, I made it out the store!

I really enjoyed reading this thread (at least in part - it's really long). It was not only funny, but gave me perspective. It made me feel less alone, but also appreciative of the great struggles people go through every day. And still we make it and do what we need to. Thank you!!

 

[Ellabella44]

When your T mentions weapons in session and you while speaking to her end up avoiding eye contact assessing the items in her office for just in case someone comes into the one door of the room to threaten you both.

 

[Anrish]

...when the question "how are you" becomes a big problem for you because you don't know how to answer without telling lies.

 

[Ice_Fire]

When you're so hyper vigilant that noises coming from pipes, the flat below, someone else's tv etc makes you so convinced there's someone in your flat that you grab the nearest solid object and look in all the rooms and cupboards...twice. And then you're still not convinced that you're alone.

 

[Lionheart]

When you refer to yourself as a multiple or in the third person.

I don't know, but I used to refer to myself as "we" and when asked why, I replied, "We don't know why we do that." Don't know if that was due to PTSD but it was definitely due to trauma...I was once diagnosed as having fragmented personality disorder.

 

[Ellabella44]

@Lionheart777 I do that sometimes too.

When your pet who comforts you the most stays at your feet while you sleep so you can pet him and hear him purr when you wake up several times a night on a day you have had a meltdown.

 

[Ronin]

I don't care why we do that either, @Lionheart777 :sneaky:;)

When you're scared around pets of other people and the only person scaring you in that equation is, again, you. :banghead:

 

[Friday]

...when you know there is food in the refrigerator. You can see it. But your mind isn't processing it as food, because it's all jumbled up. Instead of seeing food? Sees "jumble". Could reorganize it. Stops. Considers. Closes door. Crackers. Crackers are food. And the fridge doesn't have to be reorganized in order to eat them. :P

 

[Ronin]

... when you need to reframe shopping as 'hunting food, just in a city', because it circumvents all the thoughts you don't deserve it. You fetch it, you get it.

... when the obvious leaves you unphased, but ffs what was that angle of sunlight & whenwhere am I now & who's with me.

 

[angrypanda]

I got nominated to be on a church committee and accepted. Then in the actual first meeting I attende...

Yeah, been there too! Newness can be crippling! Be patient and hopefully at the next meeting you'll be relaxed enough to speak up.

 

[angrypanda]

@Lionheart777 I do that sometimes too.

When your pet who comforts you the most s...

I have a cat who can tell when I'm struggling. It's so obvious, you can bet when she's sitting on me and especially when she's purring I'm, having a really hard time. Sometimes she notices before I do. It's also a great sign for my husband, he knows to be extra kind when she's me.