[Typo]

I was curious if anyone else has issues with lack of ability to focus when in PTSD mode? I"m currently in full alert mode, but I can't focus to do simple things like take notes in class, or even really write, everything is in this odd fog but I'm jumping at every noise I hear and every movement I catch from the corner of my eye, I am nervous to drive home for fear I won't be able to focus on driving, I"m frustrated with this, I'm tired of fear and being on full alert, it feels like I'm ramming my head against a wall, and I don't know what is triggering me...

just frustrated and wanting to scream and cry

I am more frustrated I cant' find the trigger and most of my normal coping methods aren't working, I feel as if any moment I will fall to pieces and never be but back together again......

(((Typo)))))) when in PTSD mode try to sit back and breath breath and breath more.
If you can not focus you are right not to drive till it passes.
I know if i have a PTSD moment i gotta just sit for a bit till it passes . Breathing helps so much..
please know i care and you matter

[opheliasorrow]

I agree with Muffy and the fact you're not sure what is triggering you will make you more anxious and cause a vicious circle .... getting overwhelmed now won't help you sweetie, please take good self care right now.

To answer you question yes focus is so hard in PTSD mode .. forgetfulness, foggy, can't remember what was said two minutes ago yet memories from long ago are vivid ... learning to sit, breathe, think in the now are so important .... if your coping methods aren't working please try to see your T or even just call, e.mail anything to get some help .... you're not alone in this, you need to ground yourself, get a sense of middle ground .... please take care and let us know how you are doing. Safe hugs if that's ok? Ophelia xx

[Typo]

(((((((((((Muffy))))))))))
did anyone every tell you, you are the sweetest little lamb ever?

I ended up sitting at school until I was focused enough to drive home.
I'm a bit calmer now, a bit more off of high alert, but I"m still highly frustrated I can't figure out what has been triggering me, maybe it's my return to therapy next month? I feel threatened and backed into a corner, I guess it doesnt' help there is a lot of tension at home right now and there is lots of arguing and yelling too.

I just want things to get better, I get so frustrated and ashamed of myself when I get really jumpy. I've been really bad about isolating from other people this week too..

I'm just going to do my best to work through it and breathe, just have to go with the flow I suppose

[Typo]

(((((((((((((((Ophelia))))))))))))))))))

It's good to have you back here at PC Opheila
Thank you so much for your reply hun.

Originally Posted by Typo

(((((((((((Muffy))))))))))
did anyone every tell you, you are the sweetest little lamb ever?

I ended up sitting at school until I was focused enough to drive home.
I'm a bit calmer now, a bit more off of high alert, but I"m still highly frustrated I can't figure out what has been triggering me, maybe it's my return to therapy next month? I feel threatened and backed into a corner, I guess it doesnt' help there is a lot of tension at home right now and there is lots of arguing and yelling too.

I just want things to get better, I get so frustrated and ashamed of myself when I get really jumpy. I've been really bad about isolating from other people this week too..


I'm just going to do my best to work through it and breathe, just have to go with the flow I suppose

((((typo)))) dear one ((ty))) you did the right thing staying at school and waiting till you felt safe to drive.
The cornor feeling is a hard one. Ive felt that before myself. Your not alone on that.
Know you can get out of that corner only you keep yourself there. I think its a protective messure.
Its sounds to me like the tension and yelling maybe your trigger. It can do it for me. Even if I yell and I just made a post about me yelling and boy do I not like it when i do. It triggers me. Meaning i trigger myself ..scares the heck out of me.
I also think it sounds like you may need to get out with some ppl . If you can.
Never be ashamed of your feelings. No one asks for PTSD. keep talking as much as you want.
and keep breathing . medatation helps alot for me.
((you really do matter ))))))))))))) even if you have to keep saying that when it happnens that may help....
Know i care kind one.

[googley]

Typo-

I know what you mean about being triggered and not being able to focus on anything. I think that sometimes what happens to me is not so much that I can't focus on anything, but instead I am trying to focus on everything. That just makes it overwhelming and so no one thing is able to get the focus it needs. Which makes it seem like I can't focus. My brain tries to run around and take in and judge every little thing.

I'm glad you are feeling better.

[FooZe]

I've never been diagnosed with PTSD but when I'm in high threat mode from something (an emergency, a near miss, a hostile encounter) I often find it harder at least for the next few minutes to focus on elementary things like not tripping on the stairs. If I happen to be driving when I'm in that kind of space I find I usually go into "voice-over mode" where I'm watching everything I'm doing and commenting to myself about it: "I'm in the middle of my lane and going at a reasonable speed -- speedometer says 30 -- no one next to me, two cars in front and I'm well behind them, nearest car behind me is a block away -- no traffic lights for another 3 blocks -- I'm on my way home so I continue straight till ______ street -- nobody waiting at the next crosswalk that I can see..."

As nearly as I can make out, the purpose of the dialogue is to reassure me (maybe until I'm ready to believe it for myself again) that I'm looking everywhere I need to look, seeing everything that's there to see, and making reasonable driving decisions. If instead I were to find myself weaving in and out of my lane or not daring to drive over 15 in a 30 mph zone, I'd take that as a sign to find a place to pull over and to take the easiest and/or quietest route home.

Come to think of it, I used to do the dialogue thing pretty regularly when I was a very new driver and had no idea what I would and wouldn't notice "automatically" in time to respond to it. "Pedestrian crossing sign, I'd better look for a pedestrian crossing now." I think what I most wanted to avoid was someone being able to tell me, "I told you so!"

I have this problem too, I am a student too and it is frustrating. I do record my lectures in case I am feeling this way. One thing that has helped me this past month is that I started taking Strattera, not for ADHD, but for the flight or fight mode of PTSD. I posted more about it above. It has helped me A LOT. I don't take any other drugs other than allergy stuff, so I don't know if can be taken with other drugs.

Fool Zero,

My T taught me to do what you do when you are driving in order to "ground me." I try chewing strong cinnamon gum too.

[SUNNY2009]

lack of ability to focus when in PTSD mode?

I have trouble focusing at work .... I have to change up what I am working on often to try to get the most out of what I can focus on at that moment ..... I can relate for sure..... but I dont know how to fix it ....sorry .... I hope you can fig it out

I am more frustrated I cant' find the trigger

I am curious if there has to be a trigger for it .... is that how it works...there is a trigger and then you suddenly cant focus ???

and most of my normal coping methods aren't working, I feel as if any moment I will fall to pieces and never be but back together again

Writing in my journal is my way of coping when I get to broken down and anxious with whatever I am feeling ... ma that can help you too?!

Wish I were more help hope you have a good upcoming week!