[floatingurboat]

I'm relatively new here but thought this would be a good place to go to ask questions about my mental health related issues. I've been diagnosed with panic disorder and PTSD, I constantly flip out (panic attacks) over rather small things. a sudden loud noise, the toaster popping, someone walking up behind me. I was wondering if this is normal for these diagnoses? I feel like I've turned into a complete wimp for lack of a better term. I mean, I'll KNOW the toaster is going to pop but I'll still have a panic attack! I know it's nothing dangerous, but I still go into fight or flight mode. I'm beginning to feel rather helpless.

I don't have any good advice for helping to cope with it, but I do know that hyper-vigilance (a large part of which is being easily startled in the way you're describing) is a primary symptom of PTSD. I think people in the Post-Traumatic Stress sub-forum will have the best advice and support in regards to that issue - personally, my "specialty" is more in the area of crippling social anxiety

[floatingurboat]

Thanks for the response, nowhere . I'm still trying to sort out all this mess, doc thinks I'm bipolar and actually sent me here a while back to connect with people on the issues, but I don't think I have an actual bipolar diagnosis. I've become of the impression that the mind is a very muddled and messy place, or at least mine is. I'll make sure to check out the PTSD forum as suggested and also the bipolar (if there is one).

I was just reading about it and I guess hypervigilance can occur with other anxiety disorders, but it is most closely associated with PTSD.

You might look into Bipolar II also if you're not familiar with it. But the type of hypervigilance you are describing is not a symptom of BPI or BPII so that is being caused by something else.

The mind is a very messy and muddle place... at least mine is as well