Phoenix, I know why it was an automatic response for you. All of us grew up meeting the needs of others while our needs were ignored. Realizing that you do this is the first step. Telling yourself that it is okay to take care of yourself first is the second step.

I recently had an incident that showed me how far I have come. I am on the Board of our subdivision. When tasks come up that need to be done I sit there quietly and comfortably and do not volunteer for all of them. I sat there and told myself "wow, I'm even comfortable doing this! I was really happy!"

Your response to unfamiliar environments is not dumb! It is expected with PTSD. Please honor yourself and accept that this is normal and expected and that you will work through it. Taking care of yourself and your needs and placing yourself in these positions as little as possible will help you feel safer. In order to overcome it maybe do gradual things to expand your comfort zone?

You have to work from where you are at and not from where you wish you were. Change is gradual.....