[Calm]

The startle response as a symtom of PTSD was talked about here in another thread. I'd like to know if anyone else is afraid that they may physically hurt someone who has startled them. It's almost happened to me before. Good for me I was able to stop my reaction in time. I still worry that next time I won't catch my reaction in time.

[Perna]

I use to cringe/flinch when startled from having been hit by my stepmother so I generally do the "opposite" reaction. I do "yell" when startled which makes my husband unhappy as it's unpleasantly loud and startles him. I think he's generally the only one who would get "close enough" physically that he could get hurt if I lashed out.

No. I have never felt that way. I don't lash out at all, I turn to stone. I freeze first and then go into hyperarousal mode where you scrape me off the ceiling.

I asked T why I didn't have the classic fight or flight response. She explained it like this.

If your mind thinks it has time to flee then it will flee

If your mind thinks there's no time to flee then it will fight

If your mind thinks there's no time for either and death is near, you freeze into a kind of dissociation/acceptance.

[Rhapsody]

I remember a patient I became friends with while I was hospitalized for two weeks due to a suicide attempt (not good not good) - and I felt so much for him, for he will never see the outside world as we all do...... he will forever have to spend the rest of his life in a mental facility due to his PTSD and other mental issues.

This older gentleman was once a top notch Navy Seal and he did all the under-cover work that none of us ever hear about - and now he has so many mental issue due to what his mind remembers and yet wishes he could forget, but he can't - and he often has seizures and when he comes out of them he is immediately taken back (in his mind) to the war and all that he did and has seen - and the worse part is that he sees any one that is around as the enemy...... even his family and friends.

I often think of him and how nice and kind he was when TIME was being good to HIM...... and then I pray.

LoVe,
Rhapsody -

[Calm]

Rhapsody, If only wishing made it so then I'd wish that he could forget those terrible memories. It just seems some things can't be forgotten.

[desperado]

No, I don't feel like hurting someone when I am startled. The adrenaline rushes through my blood, my hair stands on end & I go into "mega fear mode", as if someone is going to hurt me, when I am startled. It is a horrible feeling.

Nerves are so shot, even w/ these stupid meds, it's not even funny. I think I am like you, Petunia -- you have to peel me off the ceiling.

[Numbers]

Yeah I fear hurting someone when I get startled to, sometimes I run but if cornered I attack, and I get scared I might seriously hurt someone.

[ifwinterends]

I did it last night to my best friend. drug-induced, however, bad trip caused by PTSD

[Calm]

Hi Everyone,

Thank you all for your responses. I'm hoping for all of us that we'll always be able to keep our reactions in check and no one ever gets hurt. It can get pretty scary at times.

Calm