Anyone else suffer from hypervigilence or 'startle syndrome'?


Question:
As a victim of domestic violence as a child and then a battered wife I jump at the slightest sound or movement that is unexpected. Some people think it is funny. Suffering from post traumatic stress disorder does not strike me as humorous in the least. I take medication for it, and I am at the maximum dose, but sometimes I still jump. I have even accidentally thrown hot coffee on someone. Anyone else out there have the 'tigger-effect'?

Answers:
Yes, I have experienced the same thing. I haven't ever had anyone think it was funny though; maybe you can explain it to them if you're comfortable enough. Or you can simply say that you don't appreciate them laughing at you b/c PTSD isn't funny. The worst, for me, has been being in new relationships since the abuse, and still jumping around my new partners. They can get down on themselves, about how I think they're like my ex, or just generally feel bad.
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You are not alone, I have had beyond the trigger effect. It is a horrible life when PTSD is not controlled. There are so many options and forms of therapy that help. You are not broken and there are more of us out there than you know.

People delighting in you startle is horrible, but you cannot really hold it against them as a normal startle is funny in people lucky enough not to have this, but we see it at the moment as all hell about to break loose once again. It is like the verge of death once again.

I have been in therapy a long time and was medicated for years. I am finally to a point I am drug free and can cope still slowly coming out into the world again. I took 12 medications over the years and my most recent I quit was finally the xanax. I took other meds with it but those have passed long now. I took 10 mgs a day for a very long time and for a while 12 mgs a day as I would end up in the hospital if I did not. I was on xanax for about 2 1/2 years most recent.

Just want to say there is life with PTSD and I am proof. I suggest a forum that helped me a lot. They do not pamper you but push you to heal and support you when it hurts. ptsdforum.org They got my life back.

I hope you too can pull yourself from this hole and learn to manage symptoms.
I go through the "tigger-effect" daily and it's really FREAKY! I jump at any little thing unexpectedly. I don't take medication. For some reason it's really funny but suffering post-traumatic stress disorder is way serious. It can possibly lead to irrational fears or even depression. A person going through hypervigilence tends to jump at any type sound or movement, big or small. He/she may think of being followed and glance back many times.

What you have is really serious, a change in medication will possibly do the trick. The "tigger-effect" is not curable but a bit difficult to control. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is no laughing matter and it's treatable. Try making an appointment with doctor who prescribed the medication to see if getting a different one will work.
Hey. I know what you mean. I was a foster kid and grew up in some bad homes. I jump at the slightest noise, even a door slamming! I also scan the area everytime I enter a new situation or room, to make sure it is safe.

I have had therapy, but it does not seem to get much better. Even at work I jump!
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