You Know You Have PTSD When...

[Werewoman]

When you're lost inside your own head and something catches your attention, causing you to get extremely annoyed at shiny squirrels.

 

[Friday]

How rational am I? Have I been lately? >.< No. Idea.

Fawk.

:banghead:

 

[Fadeaway]

When you get something you wanted, but freak out because it means a change your carefully structured routine and environment designed to prevent as few triggers as possible. Even good things can leave you open to triggers.

 

[Fadeaway]

the good things makes you freeze and hyperventilate but the scary things gets you into getting shit done mode.

When this describes you too well and you think about making a thread about learning coping skills for when life is going well. Knowing how to respond appropriately when everything is fine really must be an art. I am convinced of it.

When no matter how hard you try, you can't figure how to relax your jaw muscles, even though they ache from clenching you teeth subconsciously.

 

[Gs172003]

When no matter how hard you try, you can't figure how to relax your jaw muscles, even though they ache from clenching you teeth subconsciously

I have to make myself relax. I do the same thing. Basically I just open my teeth and put my tongue on the roof of my mouth. No idea how long it lasts though

 

[Ronin]

^^ That. Tongue on the upper palate. Small local massage might also help. Or just face washing with warm water, might count for a small massage enough.

 

[Anrish]

When you prefer to close the door and listen to loud music just to ...build a wall against the rest of the world.

 

[Noxyoursox]

When a child gets too loud and in your face and you panic because you might hurt them.

When you see a random stranger walking toward you on the sidewalk in broad daylight, minding their own business, and cross the street to put a safe distance between you and them.

When you realize you have lost and hour (or more) standing around staring into space and being trapped in your own head.

When you catch yourself planning for disaster ("What if that package being delivered is a bomb?", "What if that guy smoking in the alley tries to mug me?", "What if that the person in that car tries to kidnap me?").

When you don't really know what "safe" feels like.

When you struggle to put both shoes on during a normal day but are totally 100% on top of things during a crisis.

When you are so tired of explaining your problems to everyone you just compile a list and print out copies.

When going back to school/work after a long vacation is a relief, because being busy keeps you from thinking too much.

When you spend most of your time on self-care and still don't manage to eat/shower/etc.

When you have a mental map of triggers around your town and plan routes to avoid them.

 

[Werewoman]

When you prefer to close the door and listen to loud music just to ...build a wall against the rest of t...

I do that too! A lot!

 

[Ronin]

When your default is disaster, it's dismissing it one-by-one or inserting hope in people into those scenarios that's a work in progress.

 

[Gs172003]

When the guy in the parking lot asking you to get you into the gym for free is walking away afraid cause well...he's afraid you're going to hurt him though all you're really going to do is back into this here porta potty and lock yourself in...

That was a few months ago. Don't know if I shared that ..

 

[Anrish]

When you begin to freeze in the middle of the thought because you begin to have flashbacks....