Colleague made me jump and she probably thinks I’m weird

[WhaleBlue]

I don’t like unexpected loud noises. Not sure if there’s something wrong with me but I have real difficulty with this and can’t help how I react.

I was in work and a colleague accidentally dropped a plastic box full of books right behind me on a wooden floor. It was an almighty crash and I jumped out of my chair with my hands over my ears and think a made a sound like ‘aaargh’ I must have had a face that looked petrified as I turned around. Colleague immediately apologised and I responded politely with ‘no problem’. But her look at me was prolonged- like she couldn’t possibly understand my reaction (or maybe over reaction).

She has since given me a wide birth and I think she probably thinks I’m a bit weird?

This is now bothering me because this issue is now impacting my life in the real world (outside of my home). I’m posting because I’m not sure if my noise sensitivity is normal?

Other examples are if a door slams suddenly, sudden, loud dog bark (in close vicinity). Anything loud and unexpected alarms me. It’s like I’ve zoned out in my own world and a sudden loud noise effects me more than others.

I wouldn't read into it too much, I bet you scared her when she scared you.

Are you chronically stressed at home?

I also hate sudden noise. It is one of our most primitive instincts, the startle reflex in babies - to react to a noise as a warning of danger.

I jumped out of my skin when someone slammed a window at work. I was focused on my work, hadn't realised they were there and wasn't expecting it. We all laughed and moved on.

I don't think jumping was weird, but you are over thinking it. I really doubt she's giving you a wide berth because you jumped at a loud unexpected noise.

Only happens to me when I’m really anxious and stressed

Maybe she's staying out of your way because she's embarrassed at having scared you.

I’m AuDHD (Autistic/ADHD) and I’m very jumpy. This would have startled me. I think maybe she’s a bit embarrassed. I’d probably just jokingly say ‘The was funny the other day when you dropped the boxes. I jumped out of my skin! I’ve always been a bit jumpy.’

I think your reaction sounds normal.

You can't possibly know what they think but although I would have been a little shocked it would have been in the realm of normal like anyone really, if you think you overreact you may benefit from addressing this

We are all born with two inherent fears - falling and loud noises. It's natural to jump at a loud noise when it startles you. Don't worry about it.

Totally normal reaction from you. Her reaction - odd. She may be giving you a wide berth because she feels affronted, as if your big reaction was a deliberate criticism of her clumsiness (which obviously it wasn’t).

You may have a sensitive startle reflex but I think most people would jump out of their skins at that!

She's lucky you're not me because I lash out when truly scared lol my fright goes straight into my hands! She's probably embarrassed she made such a racket that scared you so badly. Freak her out even more and stare at her intently as she walks past😃

I too would have been surprised OP. Not abnormal at all! Not sure I would have actually made it to my feet and put hands over my ears in a split second, but would have certainly jolted in my seat and said 'aaahhh'. Unexpected noises and crashes aren't expected, so I don't see it as odd to jump from it.

Your colleague is likely embarrassed, more than keeping a wide berth because she thinks you are odd.

Your reaction sounds totally normal.

We have a fire alarm test at work. Same time, same day, every week

I jump out of my chair every time. Some people are just more jumpy than others.

Reframe it in your mind as her being a clumsy oaf who shouldn’t have scared you like that.

Getting scared in that situation is normal. Don’t be so hard on yourself.

Ah I wouldn’t worry about it. If that’s all it takes for her to think you’re weird or to be off with you, she’s the one that’s the problem.

Op google startle epilepsy and see if this sounds like what you are experiencing. I have a relative who has a similar reaction to you and jump noises take their breath away for about 30 seconds and was told it's a type of epilepsy.