To ask a question about PTSD

[MadameBee]

I am feeling absolutely fine about the current situation (as fine as I can be).

A few years ago I was pushed through a shop window, not going into details, but it was traumatic and by some miracle I had v minor injuries but was trapped for a while, while all the shards of glass fell around me.

Few months after this I was really jumpy around loud noises, this passed.

Few years later I had a minor car crash, wasn’t injured but the impact created a really loud bang, cue and loud noise, bottle bank why making me jump out of my skin. Settled down again.

Now I am at home working, perfectly happy but not going everywhere I normally go and in peace and quiet but it’s happening more when I do go out, unexpected noise and even when people come into a room I am in and I haven’t noticed. I am like that women in the Catherine Tate sketch who screams at everything

I wonder wtf this is and am I not noticing my own stress.

I am really aware of my own mental health as I have a job where I need to be.

Has anyone else experienced this and does it sound like PTSD (or am I being overly dramatic?).

Apologise for typos - hope it makes sense.

I don't know if it is... but I don't think its unreasonable to suspect this is PTSD.

I am interested to know what others think particularly if there is someone who knows about PTSD on a professional level, as I've been told I have it (similar triggers, a slammed door can cause me to burst into tears, amongst lots of other symptoms).

Mine can very much manifest itself in hyper vigilance and a heightened startle response which sounds as if that might be what you are displaying.

Yes!

Makes me feel overly emotional, and I feel so stupid.

I'm sorry for what you went through, that must have been terrifying for you.

Being startled easily was confirmed as one of my c-PTSD symptoms, along with flashbacks. Do you ever feel like you're back there, when it happened, with any vivid images/smells/feelings?

With treatment I'm loads better thankfully, but I still startle very easily, I think I always will!

I found the minor car crash more traumatic and the symptoms worsened after that, but I figured it was the initial thing as yes I did start having flashbacks after the car crash about the window, but only when I heard breaking glass.

Now it’s seems to be any loud sudden noise.

Could be PTSD. Youve been through several traumatic events and the current situation might be triggering. I'm not sure if IAPT are currently operating. Look them up and self refer for assessment. I found them to be excellent and treatment helped me hugely.

This doesn't sound like PTSD to me, unless there's a massive drip feed about to happen. It sounds like anxiety, and you should speak to your GP if it is impacting on your day-to-day function.

@ImPeckish

Did you have CBT?

No there isn’t “a massive drip feed about to happen”

It’s not anxiety. I don’t get anxious about anything abs am very laid back, chilled out and take most things in my stride. Am front line worker and not anxious about catching virus.

Flashbacks are a key symptom of PTSD/c-PTSD - it could absolutely be worth you seeking a diagnosis and treatment to help manage the symptoms, it does get better

A previous PP mentioned IAPT, yes they should all still be open offering phone and online services.
OP for PTSD you normally exhibit three groups of symptoms:
Re-experiencing (flash backs, intrusive memories, nightmares)
Arousal (being angry, irritable, unable to sleep, anxious)
Avoidance (can't think about event, can't talk about it, or avoid situations which might trigger it, or avoid other people etc)
Where it is PTSD, or something else similar, IAPT is your best bet for treatment.

Did you have CBT?

I had counselling and CBT, they helped so, so much. As I said, I'm still hypervigilant at times but I can manage it, and I don't have flashbacks anymore at all. I only have a few triggers now too, but I instantly recognise it's a trigger use coping techniques.

Grounding techniques help immensely, and generally keeping up with self-care (eating well, exercising, NOT beating yourself up!).

Also - please don't feel stupid for suffering these symptoms, it's not your fault, it's just your brain has got 'stuck' and you may need help to work through it.

Remember to be self compassionate - this bit is vital!

IAPT?

I think it does sound like PTSD, and would recommend Ken Levine's book, Waking the Tiger, for information about how PTSD manifests and can be treated

Aww thanks @ImPeckish

Thanks @Summercamping

E m d r cured my ptsd

I don’t like speaking about the incident no.

What Impeckish says. Traumatic memories seem to get ‘stuck’ as in unprocessed as memories, so when anything happens to stimulate them, we are apt to feel the same emotions/experiences intensely, as if it’s happening all over again. You might find it helpful to look up ‘flashback protocol’ and use it when something triggers a response. Do tell yourself it’s a memory. Do tell yourself things about the here and now and how you know it’s here and now, not then ie what you are wearing, what you are doing. It might help to say to yourself something like ‘I’m feeling scared/startled because I’ve been reminded of what happened in the past, but it’s not happening now.’ I know it sounds hokey! I’d also recommend a book called ‘8 Keys to Safe Trauma Recovery’ by Babette Rothschild. I recommend it to clients quite often.

If it’s only being jumpy, then no it’s not PTSD.
If you’re also having flashbacks, intrusive memories, nightmares, generally feeling highly anxious or low in mood & preoccupied with memories, then yes could be ptsd.

Iapt stands for improving access to psychological therapies- it’s the generic name for local talking therapy services that offer CBT.

Sorry that came out more abruptly than I intended! PP’s has some good suggestions

Improving Access to Psychological Therapy.
It's a self referral service to therapy. Takes the GP out of the equation. Same service just that you approach directly.

Sorry cross post with SRK

God that’s terrible I have never heard of that in my role