[MtnTime2896]

I keep swearing that someone's breaking into my house, or is already in it. What's worse; I'm telling myself it's all in my head but I keep hearing noises in my damn house. I check and check and no one's there. I don't have a pet who'd make noise like this. My fiance's grandparents are fast asleep and never come on this side of the house at night, anyway.
I don't know if this is anxiety turning me delusional or the other way around; all originating from the PTSD. I don't feel safe; like something's going to happen again. I hate this so much. It's driving me crazy. I woke up because I felt like I had to protect myself. I'm staying awake all of the time for that reason when my fiance's not home.

Has anyone else with PTSD suffered from these delusions? I'm not sure if I'm hallucinating or having sensory flashbacks. I know I'm getting my phantom pains in the usual locations but the noises I'm hearing don't match up with the actual trauma. I feel like I'm going completely insane, at this point.

[ThatSpaceDude]

I've experienced this too, you're definitely not alone. I wish I could offer some insight on how to deal with that, but unfortunately I've got nothing.

Houses sure do make a lot of noise for inanimate objects.

[PumpkinPieHead]

I have experienced this. Don't put yourself down as "delusional". We're just more sensitive to danger.

At night, lock all doors and windows, check them twice and remind yourself that it is impossible for anyone to come in if you feel anxiety about people breaking in.

[ThatSpaceDude]

I'll make sure to do that too, PumpkinPieHead. Thanks for the tip. Sometimes I forget.

[MtnTime2896]

Originally Posted by PumpkinPieHead

I have experienced this. Don't put yourself down as "delusional". We're just more sensitive to danger.

At night, lock all doors and windows, check them twice and remind yourself that it is impossible for anyone to come in if you feel anxiety about people breaking in.

Unfortunately, I have a history that allows me to see any fault in a house's security and I can't afford improvement on this house. So, all of these issues make me less inclined to be laid back with locked doors/windows. I don't own a gun anymore because it was a requirement the hospital made upon my release that my fiance get rid of it somehow. So, there goes another comfort.
That's why I'm awake all night. I sit in my bedroom with a crowbar next to me just waiting for some poor bastard to walk through my door. Sometimes, I'll patrol the house at random. I think I'm really starting to scare my fiance. Hell, I scare myself a little bit.

[mindwrench]

I can relate a lot. As I sit here at my computer flipping between the forum, chat, and my security camera software that lets me look around the house and on all side of the house outside from my computer. My phone will ding when motion is detected anywhere there shouldn't be. Before I installed the cameras I used to pace from window to window looking outside when I was nervous. I still do it sometimes just to make sure the camera feeds haven't been hacked and replaced with bogus footage.

[PumpkinPieHead]

Your stories break my heart. Part of treatment of PTSD is having a safe place to live.

I lock my doors at night, but sometimes I still wake up with the adrenaline pumping, as if someone is there.

[PumpkinPieHead]

Also, I feel like your rights were violated when the hospital took your firearm away, So Leighas. That upsets me!

[MtnTime2896]

Originally Posted by PumpkinPieHead

Also, I feel like your rights were violated when the hospital took your firearm away, So Leighas. That upsets me!

Yeah, there's really no question that they were. At the time I was so out of it that anything they did, I wasn't going to protest. Just sort of sucks because I know a crowbar won't do much to stop a bullet and I live in an area that's not the safest. Hell, the city I live in's crime rate is higher than Detroit. I don't know how that happened but it makes me miss my twelve-gage.

[MtnTime2896]

By the way, I'm sorry that you all experience this sort of thing, too. I wish you didn't. While it's nice not being alone in this, I don't like knowing that others are in torment.

I just came here to post this exact same questions. I'm wondering if my delusions are bipolar related or PTSD. Still worried I was misdiagnosed and shouldn't be taking my anti psychotics. My delusions revolve around being followed and stalked by people and organizations which have harmed me in the past. I'm also terrified of my house being broken into because it was several times. I have a security system with cameras inside and out and still don't feel safe. Thank you for starting this thread.

You're not alone.

[Yours_Truly]

I'm terrified of living alone. I never have before & I may have to not too far from now in the future. I don't know what I'm going to do.

[PumpkinPieHead]

Elsa, there are so many conditions that could cause those things you are experiencing. I hope you talk to a professional about it.

Originally Posted by PumpkinPieHead

Elsa, there are so many conditions that could cause those things you are experiencing. I hope you talk to a professional about it.

I've been seeing doctors for years. Most agree it's Bipolar but one doctor said he thought it sounded more like PTSD. I talked to another today and she said PTSD cannot be ruled out. Maybe it's both. I just don't want to take anti psychotics if I don't need them. For now I'm taking the pills and have more doctors appointments coming up to sort out the rest. I'm attending a DBT group tomorrow. Thanks.

[Wander]

Yes, I can get very paranoid from PTSD. difficult to combat those thoughts. They happen when I am under great stress and pass when I calm down. the bipolar also gives me paranoia so it is hard to tell the source sometimes. Feeling safe is so important to PTSD sufferers so not feeling safe in your own home is hell. anti-psychotics help and better still distraction and getting out of the place that distresses you to a physical or mental place that feels safe. take care and keep us posted.