[Berries]

I have been DXex with PTSD (among other things) stemming from an abusive relationship.

At home too, but especially in public—loud noises and especially unsuspected loud noises freak me out.
I don’t like freaking out but especially not in public!

I guess it is because of all the smashing of things in anger that went on, on a daily basis. I guess.

Can anyone relate? how does one get over that??????
It has been 3 1.2 years, for god sakes!!!!!

[phoenix7]

yes i and I think you'll find a lot of other on ths site will relate -my t helped me - I still jump when Im in hyper mode - but im not as jumpy as I used to be - I cant stand shouting or lots of people talking at the same time - put my hands over my ears today and said will you please all stop talkinga t once at a meeting today - hmmmm prob not the right thing to do - buy hey ....

anyway - take care and know that things DO get better I hope the frustration you are feeling is short lived - and that things improve for you soon - night P7

[splitimage]

Oh yeah, I can relate big time. I used to be hyper sensative and have a really low startle point. I think it was a joke at my old job who could get me to jump the highest out of my chair by startling me. They got bonus points if I actually screamed.

The good news is the hyperarousal and exagerated startle response does go away with treatment. I've worked with a trauma therapist as well as my pdoc on my CPTSD and I've noticed a huge change. Doing mindfullness meditation also really helps me. I also take clonazapam daily, which helps keep the edge off.

Are you working with a T?

---splitimage

[chalmette70043]

Yes, Yes, Yes. I can't stand being startled. I am at every little thing. I sit outside on the patio and the a/c comes on, i'm hanging from the patio cover.

Whats worse is when im driving and i swear i see a car coming up on side of me to close. Hallucinate there, but startled as hell. I've swerved onto the shoulder a few times.

Like split i take klono to. But i dont find where its helped me any in the startle factor. My pdoc says as time passes it will fade away. 3 1/2 years now and still going strong.

Just know Berries, your not alone here. ((((Berries))))

chal

[phoenix7]

yep like chal I catch sight of things at the corner of my eye and jump when in hyper mode only to find that there was nothing there grrr

and splitimage - why is it people think that's funny? someone at work used to love to leap out at me - till he got bored though thank heavens!

Berries, how are you doing now?

[Samanthaq]

Originally Posted by Berries

I have been DXex with PTSD (among other things) stemming from an abusive relationship.

At home too, but especially in public—loud noises and especially unsuspected loud noises freak me out.
I don’t like freaking out but especially not in public!

I guess it is because of all the smashing of things in anger that went on, on a daily basis. I guess.

Can anyone relate? how does one get over that??????
It has been 3 1.2 years, for god sakes!!!!!

It's been a goodly number of years for me too. No, you are NOT alone. Part of why I don't go out much is because at home at least I get to control the environment. I listen to soft music, meditate, keep to myself. Loud, sharp, sudden noises always have me jumping out of my skin. Freak me out? Oh yeah. I know how that feels.

The good news is that over time that hyper state becomes less and less constant. Used to be I was utterly paralyzed at the thought of leaving the house, of going anywhere or doing anything, because the slightest thing would leave me destroyed and crying, trying to escape. Now I get out some, even go for walks in the park sometimes.

I remember back a bunch of years ago as I was walking into a grocery store with my SIL, the PA tone came on and that was it, I was done. I didn't even hear the announcement, I just turned around and went back to the car. It was a store I shopped in often, but for a while I couldn't go back.

Now I manage to go shopping on my own regularly. Almost NEVER during the daytime.

But yeah, loud noise, anything happening suddenly I can't see or control, even then things freak me out . . .

{{{{{{{berries}}}}}}}}

[Xtree]

Loud noises alway startle me and I get startled very easily. What is worse is I wear head phones a lot and jump every time someone tries to speak to me or comes up behind me.

Banging really pushed my buttons. When my H is in the kitchen banging pots and pans or slamming cabinets doors too loud it freaks me out. I should tell him to stop but I cannot, it doesn't matter wether he is mad or not. I am not sure why.

Xtree

[Can't Remember]

I actually just started doing this. Having an exaggerated response to noises and loud talking/yelling. My stomach gets upset when people are even squabbling in a good-natured way, like my parents. I'm sure this will go away with time.

[Berries]

Originally Posted by phoenix7

yep like chal I catch sight of things at the corner of my eye and jump when in hyper mode only to find that there was nothing there grrr

and splitimage - why is it people think that's funny? someone at work used to love to leap out at me - till he got bored though thank heavens!

Berries, how are you doing now?

I catch people out of the corner of my eye too. I swear there is someone there watching me, but when I turn and look no one is ever there.

And anytime my mom (who I live with) slams or bangs or drops anything in another room, i cringe and cover my head and ears and immediately go into "...... mode".

[cleanhippie09]

i honestly thought i was the only one.
i know exactly what you are going through. its been almost 8 monthes since i was raped and even still loud noises scare me.
i was walking with a friend on the way to the theatre at my school and something rustled in the bushes and i screamed really loud and she looked at me like i was a loon.
it takes time im assuming but im sure we will over come all of this because it really sucks.

message me if you need to talk
erin

[beutifulxdreamr]

Originally Posted by Berries

I have been DXex with PTSD (among other things) stemming from an abusive relationship.

At home too, but especially in public—loud noises and especially unsuspected loud noises freak me out.
I don’t like freaking out but especially not in public!

I guess it is because of all the smashing of things in anger that went on, on a daily basis. I guess.

Can anyone relate? how does one get over that??????
It has been 3 1.2 years, for god sakes!!!!!

I still am that way... not just loud noises though. Quick movement, any raising of hands, and when people just pop out of no where to scare me (in college so people do that a lot just cuz its fun... heck I do it to other people sorta). But yeah, I jump pretty bad... there is a cannon at my school that goes off and I know when it goes off exactly, and it still makes me jump... I can't stop it unless I am prepared for the noise or movement.

[glimmer]

I cant deal with any loud sudden noises. I cant even open those pilsbury biscuits, u know the ones you have to hit on the counter? The anticipation of that pop is too much an freaks me out, have to have someone else do it while i leave the room. Everyone makes fun of me for it. Cant do elevators well either. I've had problems with my startle response for at least 10 yrs.

[phoenix7]

Originally Posted by glimmer

I cant deal with any loud sudden noises. I cant even open those pilsbury biscuits, u know the ones you have to hit on the counter? The anticipation of that pop is too much an freaks me out, have to have someone else do it while i leave the room. Everyone makes fun of me for it. Cant do elevators well either. I've had problems with my startle response for at least 10 yrs.

Hi glimmer - are you seeing a therapist to help you get through this?

[Xtree]

Originally Posted by beutifulxdreamr

I jump pretty bad... there is a cannon at my school that goes off

You should see me when I take my family to the fireworks!

Xtree

[michele#3]

I don't like lound noises either. It seems that it's always been this way. You say 3 or 4 years. For me it's been since I was a small child (around 50 years).
Generally I like quite. I don't listen to much music and when I do I don't like the sound turne up very loud. The sound of a car backfiring makes me jump. It even extends to crowds.
Like you my PTSD is from an abusive relationship, but I have to say that for me it just made it worse, since I developed it as a child , orginally because of the abuse I suffered then.
Anyway, it takes time to not respond with fright at loud noises. How much time depends on a lot of factors I'm sure. The main thing is to give yourself time.

Originally Posted by Berries

I have been DXex with PTSD (among other things) stemming from an abusive relationship.

At home too, but especially in public—loud noises and especially unsuspected loud noises freak me out.
I don’t like freaking out but especially not in public!

I guess it is because of all the smashing of things in anger that went on, on a daily basis. I guess.

Can anyone relate? how does one get over that??????
It has been 3 1.2 years, for god sakes!!!!!