[8Green48]

Can current work trigger past history of PTSD?

[kaliope]

anything can trigger ptsd, a sight, a sound, a smell, stress. it is so unpredictable. so yes, your current work situation could do it.

[Werewoman]

Yep. Heck, just about anything can trigger PTSD depending on the cause. I was once triggered badly at work because a co-worker that I was supposed to be taking direction from told me to do something I knew to be dangerous (and frankly, incredibly stupid). In the end, I kept my mouth shut (first mistake), did what I knew was right (second mistake), and went on to the next task (third mistake). The next thing I know, I'm being called on the carpet and was not allowed to speak to defend my actions. Gee, sure wasn't the first time I got in trouble for doing the right thing and then not being allowed to speak. I swear my boss must have called my mother to ask her what the worst possible thing he could do to send me over the edge because that's how I felt. When I left his office, I got my stuff together, clocked out, and never went back.

I hope it works out better for you. These situations usually do. This one was the worst case scenario. Eventually, you learn what your triggers are and deal with them much better. EMDR was a huge success for me when it comes to such things.

Good Luck!

[Teacake]

Originally Posted by Werewoman

Yep. Heck, just about anything can trigger PTSD depending on the cause. I was once triggered badly at work because a co-worker that I was supposed to be taking direction from told me to do something I knew to be dangerous (and frankly, incredibly stupid). In the end, I kept my mouth shut (first mistake), did what I knew was right (second mistake), and went on to the next task (third mistake). The next thing I know, I'm being called on the carpet and was not allowed to speak to defend my actions. Gee, sure wasn't the first time I got in trouble for doing the right thing and then not being allowed to speak. I swear my boss must have called my mother to ask her what the worst possible thing he could do to send me over the edge because that's how I felt. When I left his office, I got my stuff together, clocked out, and never went back.

I hope it works out better for you. These situations usually do. This one was the worst case scenario. Eventually, you learn what your triggers are and deal with them much better. EMDR was a huge success for me when it comes to such things.

Good Luck!

In time you learn NEVER give your boss your moms number. In your case you should have listed OSHA as your mother. Ada Osha. Its subliminal, no?

[Werewoman]

Originally Posted by Teacake

In time you learn NEVER give your boss your moms number. In your case you should have listed OSHA as your mother. Ada Osha. Its subliminal, no?

Hee hee! LOL!

[8Green48]

Thank you all, for your replies. I was just diagnosed with PTSD. Im really confused. I have been having been nightmares and thought they were just bad dreams. I have been having flashbacks, panic attacks and a high startle response at work and thought I was daydreaming, anxious and jumpy. I'm just confused. Thank you for your help.

[MotownJohnny]

Jumpy should be my middle name. People always tell me that, or ask me why I'm so jumpy. I think it would be called a "startle response" in the professional literature. It's a symptom of PTSD, probably almost all PTSD suffers experience that.

Loud noises, things moving in my peripheral field of vision, people coming up behind me all do it for me.

[8Green48]

yes, the same for me too

[Werewoman]

I'm so jumpy/easily startled that I once decked a guy who came up behind me and started stroking my back in a way that made me very uncomfortable. I know I should feel bad, but the guy was a real creep.

Seriously, creeps like him remind me too much of my creepy-***** stepfather. I'm sure I don't need to explain to anyone here what I mean by that.

[seesaw]

My work is so triggering. I even took a two month medical leave to do intense treatment for my PTSD and reintegrate back into work. Now I'm back at work and I swear it's even worse than when I left. My boss, who is the Executive Director, and the HR Director, who both know I am diagnosed with PTSD, Major Depressive Disorder, and Panic Disorder, seemed to do everything possible to be inconsiderate, unsympathetic, and confrontational on my first day back. They triggered me so badly, even though I was trying my CBT techniques, I had to call my therapist and ask for an emergency appointment. Fortunately, he had my regular time open.

When I met with him we talked about the job and I finally accepted, with great relief, that maybe it's just time to let this job go. I've tried very hard to make it work at this place (and I haven't had these issues at other places), but unfortunately our HR person and our Executive Director just have 1) no clue how to deal with HR and 2) our HR person is super passive aggressive and likes to gaslight and she's just like my mother, who abused me through my whole childhood and basically caused this PTSD.

I felt such great relief yesterday when I decided it was time to start looking for other opportunities. Even just the idea of looking made me feel empowered. I worked hard during medical leave to make my home a safe place that I even feel comfortable inviting people into, not making it a secret place. I'm not going to go work for 9 hours a day in a mentally unsafe environment...I won't survive.

So yes, work can be extremely triggering, especially since there are so many triggering a$$holes out there.

Seesaw

[seesaw]

I went ahead today and gave my notice. I'll be staying on for about 6 weeks before I leave, so hopefully I'll be able to line something up between now and then.

Feels so good to make that kind of decision.

Seesaw

[doglover1979]

Originally Posted by seesaw

My work is so triggering. I even took a two month medical leave to do intense treatment for my PTSD and reintegrate back into work. Now I'm back at work and I swear it's even worse than when I left. My boss, who is the Executive Director, and the HR Director, who both know I am diagnosed with PTSD, Major Depressive Disorder, and Panic Disorder, seemed to do everything possible to be inconsiderate, unsympathetic, and confrontational on my first day back. They triggered me so badly, even though I was trying my CBT techniques, I had to call my therapist and ask for an emergency appointment. Fortunately, he had my regular time open.

When I met with him we talked about the job and I finally accepted, with great relief, that maybe it's just time to let this job go. I've tried very hard to make it work at this place (and I haven't had these issues at other places), but unfortunately our HR person and our Executive Director just have 1) no clue how to deal with HR and 2) our HR person is super passive aggressive and likes to gaslight and she's just like my mother, who abused me through my whole childhood and basically caused this PTSD.

I felt such great relief yesterday when I decided it was time to start looking for other opportunities. Even just the idea of looking made me feel empowered. I worked hard during medical leave to make my home a safe place that I even feel comfortable inviting people into, not making it a secret place. I'm not going to go work for 9 hours a day in a mentally unsafe environment...I won't survive.

So yes, work can be extremely triggering, especially since there are so many triggering a$$holes out there.

Seesaw

Work fueled the worst PTSD meltdown I could ever imagine. I tried to push through the triggers and worked harder and harder, and as a result my life just got worse. I finally fell apart. I ended up quitting as a result of a mental health emergency.

Good for you! You are taking charge, that is something to be proud of! I know it must be scary, but you are absolutely doing the right thing by taking care of yourself.

[Teacake]

Originally Posted by 8Green48

Thank you all, for your replies. I was just diagnosed with PTSD. Im really confused. I have been having been nightmares and thought they were just bad dreams. I have been having flashbacks, panic attacks and a high startle response at work and thought I was daydreaming, anxious and jumpy. I'm just confused. Thank you for your help.

Anything that increases arousal can trigger active ptsd stuff. You can calm the symptoms by attending to your health. Reduce stimulants, do yoga, keep steady blood sugar, build muscle and increase cardiovascular conditioning. Walk. Treat allergies. Meditate.

Then do whatever therapy works for you.

And try David Bercelis Trauma Releasing Exercises. They are simple free stand alone self administered exercises to induce the body's natural tremble mechanism. See folks do it on Youtube. Ask your library to order his book or DVDs. You can learn from the book. Or find a facilitator on his website. Or learn from the book. It's on kindle. It's that easy. It's an easy book too. You can watch tv or play with the dog while you do the exercises and tremble. It's that natural. It's pleasant and relaxing and you feel like you've had a massage. And its free. Except for the book which your library can buy for you..David says in the book the book is all you need and he has always presented his
exercises as stand alone self help.

[Teacake]

Also I take GABA using Billie J Sahleys protocol for nightmares and night terrors. Prolonged stress depletes the body of the cooling neurotransmitter GABA. GABA powder is inexpensive and fast acting.

You must do your own research. Don't take GABA with psych meds without doctors approval. There are warnings online that I don't have time or interest to evaluate that Gaba supplementation may make depression or bipolar worse. Sahley didn't notice depression in her pain and ptsd clients.

An hour of yoga a day is said to increase GABA. I've never heard of yoga making anyone depressed. Natural is always best anyway. (but the powder saved me).

[8Green48]

Originally Posted by seesaw

I went ahead today and gave my notice. I'll be staying on for about 6 weeks before I leave, so hopefully I'll be able to line something up between now and then.

Feels so good to make that kind of decision.

Seesaw

Seesaw, Im glad you made a decision. I'll be thinking of you. Good luck!!!

[Teacake]

Originally Posted by MotownJohnny

Jumpy should be my middle name. People always tell me that, or ask me why I'm so jumpy. I think it would be called a "startle response" in the professional literature. It's a symptom of PTSD, probably almost all PTSD suffers experience that.

Loud noises, things moving in my peripheral field of vision, people coming up behind me all do it for me.

Because you are firing adrenaline all the time. You need to knock that off before you burn out. If you experience that a little more stress than jumpy is a smooth euphoric calm, you are releasing endorphins.

Johnny, you may be shifting between two highly aroused states and never coming down at all. That will get you dx bipolar. It's also really bad for your body. You've got three states. The one you may be missing out on is mammalian parasympathy. It's the one we are supposed to be in most of the time. Its where things like bonding happen.

You will like yoga and TRE if you try them.

Adrenal fatigue, not so much.