[googley]

My roommate isn't around a lot. I don't know exactly when she is going to be around, though there are some specific times that I can expect her to be around. Today I walked out of the bathroom and she was standing in the living room. I screamed I was so scared. My heightened startle response had been getting better. But this is the second time in a week where I have been startled so bad. Why is this happening again?

[unaluna]

I can understand your being startled, esp coming out of the bathroom, a more vulnerable spot. My dad and I would always yell "Yoo-hoo!" whenever we walked in the house, whether we knew someone was home or not.

[Open Eyes]

I don't know googley, I still have a terrible startle response as well. I guess we just have to accept it as part of who we are now. I honestly cant blame you for having such a startle thinking you were alone and suddenly there was a presence in the room.

I just keep on telling myself to relax and not over react by being startled. I do understand it is hard.

Open Eyes

[Crew]

(((((((googley)))))))))) I'm sorry but thank goodness you can SCREAM! and get IT OUT!!!

Crew

[REEG]

Googley- I understand the startle repsone. Remember too that screaming is a good self protective skill. Maybe you could see it as a way to take care of you?

About 15 years ago I took a self defense class where we practiced yelling at attackers- and I excelled. We'd ye;; "get the F--- away from me!" very powerful.
I did learn that response very well- not always so good when in bed with a partner or a child comes creeping down the stairs! lol My family has learned to announce themselves and I of course have done some apologising... but I know that my voice can help keep me safe.

[kaliope]

hypervigilance, though there to protect us, can really suck.

i once was waiting for one of my crappy pdocs. i was expecting her to come from one direction but she came from the other. i jumped a mile. she acutally started laughing at me. not a very nice laugh either. b#@%h!

[googley]

I've jumped, A LOT. I've actually pulled something in my back from jumping while lying on my bed (don't ask my how I did it, but I definitely did.) This is the first time I've ever screamed. When I was attacked I couldn't scream. I was so scared and dissociated. While I dissociated when my roommate came in, I screamed too. Maybe it is progress?

[googley]

I told my T about what happened, but I don't think she really understood. She said it is better since I haven't been having as much trouble with getting startled lately (which is true), but it really just seems to be getting worse again. I jumped again today when my roommate startled me. And again when something fell out of my medicine cabinet. I've never been this jumpy in my home before. I don't know what is causing this.