I'm beginning to wonder if this is PTSD

I've had this problem with getting triggered by flashing lights at night reminding me of one of the near death accidents I survived. (I've survived two plus had abuse trauma.) One thing that bothers me is the way the tv flickers at night in a dark room. Seems certain colors on the screen cause it. Maybe I'm stupid but still sometimes I will watch tv in the dark to help make me drowsy. Like I said its just certain colors that flash that trigger and general its some stupid commerical with bright graphics that cause it or else movies with major special effects. Watching Seinfeld, MASH or Andy Griffith reruns in the dark doesn't trigger.

Ok but here's the thing-- this happened big time a few nights ago but somewhere in the back of my head in that state between sleep and awake something told me are you really triggering or are you thrashing about having monoclonic seizures from the flashing light? I was thrashing, teeth clattering and heart racing. So the next morning I thought hey have I been having seizures all this time?? Another thing I have this clattering teeth problem where I have to sleep with a mouthguard or else I will end up biting the inside of my mouth. There is a specific type of Dystonia that is known to cause teeth clattering and this is different from teeth grinding by the way. Ok are you following me... I have the teeth clattering which can be caused by Dystonia...Dystonia can occur after traumatic brain injuries which I've had. And I also have tremor day and night but worse in evenings. So it occured to me do I really have Dystonia, PTSD triggering from flashes and tremor or is is ALL part of having a seizure? I used to have grand mal seizures as a kid but was never diagnosed with anything. I've had EEG as an adult, just a couple years ago and was negative and they did do the flashing lights test though.

jmo but usually you arnt present when you have a seizure - so if you are aware its unlikely you are having a seizure -

tremors can be caused by a traumatic brain injury and there are meds that can stop that

ptsd does cause tremors - when I am triggered I shake - sometimes just hands somtimes body

maybe get it checked out by your dr and see what they say

take care

p7

p.s., if you keep a small lamp on would that help stip the flickering of the tv and still make it dark enough for you to get drowsy?

I remember being aware while having grand mals as a kid. I couldn't control it and remember being aware except for a few seconds where in the worse part of the seizure I blacked out.

I'm kinda at wit's end with the tremor thing. I've been to a movement disorder neurologist who did all these tests on me then said I don't have a movement disorder. I asked if I had Essential Tremor since two other family members tremor and ET is hereditary. The neurologist told me to see a psychiatrist and get my thyroid under control and guaranteed my tremor would go away. Thing is my thyroid has only being going crazy past couple months as my dr has watched thyroid closely for years yet my tremor has been going on over a year. And the PTSD has not been going on as long as the tremor has. I think they are unrelated and the neuro was just a jerk. I was given nothing to control the tremors. Along with everything else wrong with me the tremors are making me even more of a recluse because I can't go out with friends because I can't hold onto cups or the menu in the restaurant, etc. Tremors are embarrassing.

I would go get second opinions from a different set of doctors if you can afford it. Sounds like you have a lot going on physically, you need to see specialist and even then a second opinion is always good. Other than that, all I can give you is and I hope you get some answers soon!