[MtnTime2896]

So, for many years I've been fond of being a prankster and in turn people have done the same back. I can't blame anyone, they're used to the old playful person that used to be me. Now, someone walks into the room without me hearing them and I almost have a heart attack, let alone a normal scare prank. I don't just get scared. I'm propelled into full panic and begin having intense/vivid flashbacks. Someone tries to surprise me and I have an "episode". It sucks. I'm on such an alert that I feel like a hair-trigger away from hurting someone without intentionally doing so. I'm scaring myself. Now, I've been better able to manage myself at home and in places I know I'm safe but others (the store, work, school, the city bus etc) I'm on edge like crazy. Even with vistaril in me I feel like I'm on edge in these places, the only difference is the fact that my anxiety is turned into more of an angry response than a panic attack. Sometimes, I'm just looking for a fight. Just looking for someone to do just enough to set me off and I can make a half-hearted attempt in justifying it. Nothing during my trauma involved a banging sound but that even triggers this. I don't get it and I'm wondering if it is normal. If anyone else have dealt with this, how do you manage it?

[Out There]

This sounds like hyper vigilance / hyper arousal. It is a difficult thing to deal with. I use mindfulness techniques often.

Originally Posted by Out There

This sounds like hyper vigilance / hyper arousal. It is a difficult thing to deal with. I use mindfulness techniques often.

i've often wondered if something like that is somehow linked to my lack of sleep (and i am reading about it more often)

[Mrs. Mania]

My startle response is off the chain. It's dim at my work and most the rooms are dark. When coworkers come in behind me and I don't know it, I jump and feel like I'm going to have a heart attack, sometimes I even scream. Same thing at home, I stumbled over the dog in the dark and screamed bloody murder scaring my family half to death. The list could go on and on. As far as managing, I got nothing, just wanted to let you know you're not alone!

[Calico_91]

Hyper vigilance. High startle response. I understand this.

[splitimage]

Hyper arousal / hyper vigilance used to be a major problem for me. It still is to a lesser extent. I've found practicing mindfulness to be super helpful in resolving this issue for me.

splitimage

[Calico_91]

Originally Posted by splitimage

Hyper arousal / hyper vigilance used to be a major problem for me. It still is to a lesser extent. I've found practicing mindfulness to be super helpful in resolving this issue for me.

splitimage

Could you please give examples of how you do this?

[Out There]

Try the " my calm beat " app.

[leomama]

Got the app, thanks

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Fallenangelrising29]

Yes I have the same issues and how I've dealt with it is by not responding immediately with anger I freeze and then I let the anger pass, over time it turns into something self controlled.but a problem I developed doing that is that I stuff all mg anger down til I'm ready to blow.....so I basically am the same as u. Not only on alert because of PTSD n such but because of all my anger. It never ends. I suggest finding an outlet. What's ur passion??? Writing? Boxing? Music?? Use it as an outlet. Also...look up meditation exercises and do them. They work.

[TakeMeWithYou]

Two things I got out of reading these posts: mindfulness and meditation. These are BOTH areas of opportunity for me, and I wlll look into them more......thanks for the post and the responses as well. {{hugs}} to you so leigheas in your effort to overcome your struggles.