Can across this passage today. I guess I never imagined that Jack Abbot’s physique—those countless hours he spent working out despite how best he had to be—could be a sign of PTSD. Or more precisely, a maladaptive coping mechanism of PTSD.
Flashbacks and reliving are in some ways worse that the trauma itself. A traumatic event has a beginning and an end—at some point it is over. But for people with PTSD a flashback can occur at any time, whether they are awake or asleep. There is no way of knowing when it’s going to occur again or how long it will last. People who suffer from flashbacks often organize their lives around trying to protect against them. They may compulsively go to the gym to pump iron (but finding that they are never strong enough), numb themselves with drugs, or try to cultivate an illusory sense of control in highly dangerous situations (like motorcycle racing, bungee jumping, or working as an ambulance driver).
From The Body Keeps the Score
