freezing

I went to the grocery store to shop tonight. I went out of the store with my shopping cart and then went to my car. It was relatively dark in the parking lot. I went to get my keys when a guy came up behind me and started grabbing my groceries. I froze. I couldn't think and at first I wanted to say, "what are you doing with my groceries?" then I thought 'take the groceries just don't hurt me'. I was so scared. The boy was only maybe fifteen or sixteen, but I was so scared. I couldn't move or say anything. Then I realized that he wasn't running away. It ended up being that he was helping me put my groceries in my car (but without asking or saying anything.) Afterwords I thought that he probably did it because he thought he might get a tip. I froze just like I did when I was attacked. I couldn't get myself to say anything. I don't have anyone to talk to because my T is out of town. I feel ridiculous for being scared. I don't know if I over reacted. I don't know what a regular reaction would be.

Hey Googley....

I don't think you over-reacted. You had a perfectly normal reaction for someone who has been through a traumatic experience. It sounds like you are often in a state of hyper-arousal. I am too and I don't even realize it most of the time.

What you experienced was a response from your central nervous system responding to the chemicals released into your body due to your fear and confusion for what was happening and also due to your memories of what had happened to you already. It is a very uncomfortable experience to have. I always get mad at myself because I know people are trying to be nice sometimes....but it just freaks me out.

You may not have felt okay...but it sounds like you handled it okay. Some people freeze and can't move...others fly into a rage, and still others fall somewhere in between.

Hang in there....sorry you got scared!!

I think if that had happened to me I would have freaked too.
He could at least said something...

I think any woman would have been caught off guard. To be approached wordlessly at night, that's not a typical interaction, it's definitely often typical of something more sinister.

I would have frozen, too.

Glad everything was okay in the end. You weren't at fault, your reaction wasn't wrong. He was the strange one in not saying something!

I would have probably started screaming and tried to call 911! He should have asked if you wanted help, you did good.

Thank you everyone for your support. I have always been told that I was too sensitive and I know since I was attacked that my startle reflex has been through the roof (though it is better now than it was in the past). I realized I wasn't really sure how others would react. I dissociated briefly so that was why it was worse. I had flashbacks. They have been very rare lately and it just wigged me out... Thanks again.

It's been said by others, but I would have been scared very badly by what happened to you. He should have spoken and asked. It is NEVER appropriate for someone to just come up in a parking lot and grab at your groceries. He is lucky you didn't scream or clobber him or call the cops on him.

I know it felt bad to just freeze, but it is just where you are at right now. I won't be like that forever. I used to be so highly hypervigilant that I felt as tight as piano wire is strung. If I was in a parking lot I was rehearsing what to do if this or that happened and that was in broad daylight, not the dark!!! I am aware now when I go out, but I am not haunted by fear or spooked easily. It has gotten better for me as I've worked on my issues and gotten some help from a counselor. Be gentle with yourself, ok?

I'm glad nothing sinister happened, but HE MADE A MISTAKE, NOT YOU!!!

Leslie

I freeze to, sometimes I don't even know why. I think its anger I see that freezes me or a voice from the past. Anyways I am sooo sorry, its really one of the scariest things. Hope it stops for you soon.