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Getting "startled" really easily

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Posted 9/20/2013 9:29 PM (GMT 0)
I don't think there are many things I'm afraid of, in a literal sense.

However, I am very easily startled.  Like when the alarm goes off in the morning, or sudden noises that are unexpected.  I don't respond the same way to visual things.  I DO, it seems, also seem to "feel" everything, such as a single hair on my skin, those 3 grains of sand in my shoe....

But the startling thing.  When it happens, I swear it feels like my heart is going to pound right out of my chest.

Merrida

Posted 9/20/2013 10:19 PM (GMT 0)
Merrida when my anxiety and panic were at their worst I was the same way, people I worked with thought it was PTSD from VN but it wasn't, it was worse, people got to where they would not walk up
behind me within punching distance. I didn't do anything bad but had the potential. The only thing
that helped was time. I wish you Peace.

Larry ***
Posted 9/21/2013 12:45 AM (GMT 0)
I've been this way my entire life. I'm not anticipating a change in that. I have ultra sensitive hearing, and ultra sensitive sense of touch. Always have. Don't like being around anything or anyone "loud."

Remember when teachers used to SLAM books down on the desk if you got busted napping?

Then again, I went to Catholic school, (which I loved btw, for what that's worth?)...and we had a for-real "paddle" hanging in the broom closet. That little sucker never collected dust.

Hubby thinks I'm "over-reacting," but I'm reacting in tune to how I feel. He can blast heavy metal music in the ear phones, and I can have the TV turned down to 2 and hear it fine.

Maybe comes from Dad having a mean ole temper and that would be the only time he raised his voice: When we were in trouble. ((shrug))


Merrida
Posted 9/21/2013 1:59 AM (GMT 0)
I quit when I almost hit my oldest Daughter, I worked 2nd shift and got off at 1am. TV went off air
about 3am I was sitting in the floor real close to the TV and she waddled up on me from behind on my
blind side, she was wearing a little white nightgown and all I could see was the motion it scared me
****less! I do not know what stopped me but I am thankful for it, I would have died if I had hurt her,
from that day I have not struck out at motions or movement. I am thankful! Peace

Larry ***
Posted 9/21/2013 2:29 PM (GMT 0)
Merrida,

I think that a lot of people who have anxiety are sensitive and easily startled.

It is a chicken and the egg type of question...are we sensitive due to dealing with all of the anxiety, and therefore a little jumpy? Or are sensitive people the ones that develop the anxiety because of our inherent nature?

Either way, it isn't uncommon. I read/heard once that when we get startled, our reaction to it is what matters. When you get a fright and your heart is pounding for example...if you can laugh it off and recover quickly, that actually reduces stress. However, if we dwell on the fact that somehting shocked and scared us...become angry or internalize it, then that is unhealthy stress that we are haboring. It is all in how we perceive and react!

I hope to hear from others here...good topic!

S.C.
Posted 9/21/2013 5:02 PM (GMT 0)
It's the unexpected out of silence. I shoot weapons that make big booms, and I'm just dandy at the range. I started to wonder if it was because I could "expect" lots of noise, the preparation when the lights go on, it's controlled, the environment.

Then again, concerts are sort of too. I could never handle concerts because where everyone else was enjoying the loudness and the vibration, it just went straight to my chest, and all I felt was my insides vibrating, eagerly wanting "out."

My Mother used to wake me up in the morning by pulling the covers off me, and turning the lights on, shades up, and loudly tell me "time to get up!" I'm not saying it harkens to that, doesn't matter,....

How I react to getting startled also includes anger. Irritation. Overall general irk-ness.



Merrida
Posted 9/21/2013 8:49 PM (GMT 0)
That was my natural and initial reaction as well...but since hearing how our reaction can be healthy...laughing...rather than negative, I have retrained myself to bounce back with a smile. (yes I had to force myself the initially!)

It takes a few times of practicing this skill to get the hang of it, but soon you'll find yourself with a totally different outlook after awhile.:)

S.C.
Posted 9/22/2013 10:28 AM (GMT 0)
S.C.

I believe you. It's worked for me in other areas as well.

I'm a CP regular, so sleep is precious to me. Sometimes I get overly anxious about sleep just because I know how much I'm affected.

I guard my sleep, it's important.

Tonight's a good example (in a different way), I've been up since 2:30am. If I get woken up suddenly, I will rarely if ever get back off to sleep.

I have a ritual I follow for falling asleep, and it works very well. But once I'm alerted to being awake before I get in some "real" sleep, that ritual doesn't work and my mind scatters.

Routinely I return that faithful ritual, the one that let's me get myself to sleep every night. So I understand how powerful our minds are.

I was at what I consider my worst when we lived in Boston. I couldn't get any sleep because of the city noises and smells. It's as if I'm hyper-aware,--which can be fine at times, but not if it interrupts my ever so precious sleep, something I guard and cherish.

Sleep is my only break from pain, so if I don't get it, it set up a domino effect.


Merrida
Posted 9/22/2013 3:03 PM (GMT 0)
I am sorry to hear of your pain and sleep problems. I know that can definitely affect quality of life...as well as exacerbate anxiety issues as well.

Wishing you a comfortable and calm remainder of the weekend, where you can catch up on some rest.;)

Healing thoughts,

S.C.
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