Things I Didnāt Know Were Symptoms of C-PTSD
Getting overwhelmed in crowds
Getting upset or angry at a loud alarm
Ordinary nightmares (that have nothing to do with the circumstances, just stupid nightmares much more often than the average person)
Getting sharp pains in your back/neck/collarbones that make it hard to breathe (due to hypervigilance/constant high anxiety)
Learning thatĀ āhigh anxietyā does not meanĀ āgeneralized anxietyā like other people have with panic attacks and not feeling that they can accomplish thing. PTSD anxiety just means this frenetic energy that makes you want to talk/think/do things (even as an introvert) to avoid stopping.
Feeling constantly boredĀ like you have to chase after something, even if youāre just at home: I spend hours on tumblr, pinterest, watching tv, reading books, making art, never just laying there aloneā¦because if you stopā¦the darkness is there
Thinking up stories before bed. This is a symptom of high anxiety because youāre trying to calm down and fall asleep in aĀ āsafe worldā where people are looking out for you and caring for you.
Trouble falling asleep (which is distinct from insomnia) because turning off electronics etc. doesnāt help since your heartrate/fight or flight response is engaged
Periods of racing heart (mine has gotten to 120bpm for five hours) that make you feel like youāre waiting for something to happen
Exaggerated startle response. When I was a kid I used to hide behind corners to surprise my sisters. Two years ago my friend hid under my desk to scare me. I literally screamed, fell out of the chair, and started crying. She was laughing because she thought the joke went well, and then got concerned because I kept crying.
PurposefullyĀ ātankingā a bad day with sad music/tv/movies/books because itĀ āwas already ruined anywayā


















