Here's a question : For as long as I can remember, whenever I have a conversation / interaction with someone, I nearly ALWAYS have this happen. On the one hand I'm thinking about what I'm saying - the contect of the conversation. But UNDERNEATH the words that are being spoken, there is a part of me that is gauging the possible reactions by the other person to what I'm saying. It's like the scarry music that plays behind the scenes in a movie. And when the conversation / interaction is over I spend countless amounts energy analysing what the other's reaction might be - usually thinking they will misunderstand & think "less" of me. Or that I've somehow insulted them. Or that what I've said will be taken the wrong way.

As I said, this is AUTOMATIC whenever I interact with someone. From my wife to my kids to my friends - to my T - all the "safe" people in my life. And also with co-workers, clerks in grocery stores, tellers in the bank, next door neighbors...etc. It even goes as far as with other drivers on the road. (!) Automatic. Can be triggered by a LOOK - TONE OF VOICE - whatever. It's rare when I am with someone when this DOESN'T happen. Hell, I'm doing it now (!!!)

So the question is : Is this another symptom of PTSD? And - more importantly : Does anybody else do this???

As I said this has been around as long as I can remember & frankly is exhausting!!! And I'm getting a little tired of it.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Lavalamp