Is anyone else jumpy?

I had been diagnosed with PTSD, although now the symptoms are less. What mostly remains is jumpiness from time to time. Some days, all someone has to do is say my name an i jump a foot, startle easily etc. Otherdays it doesn't faze me. Also fast movement make me duck or cringe. It terriblly embarrassing as people get an idea about my past from seeing me do this. Does this happen to anyone else? Do you laugh it off? What do you say? For some it has become a game to see how high they can make me jump and how often, but i dont want to tell them the reason why I do it, would make me feel more vulnerable. arggggg!

Heya, Gelf,
Yea, you've kind of got a catch-22: do you reduce the awkwardness by telling people you've got PTSD? ...but then feel more vulnerable?

It's a difficult one because there certainly are still stigmas. I think that the increasingly supportive press coverage for veterans of Iraq war (and all their PTSD) is helping reduce the stigma. ...cause, *yes*, the jumpiness does seem to be a feature of a lot of PTSD, especially that originating in combat.

Hang in there guy! Let us know how you're doing.

PS: Try reminding yourself that "feeling vulnerable" is not same as *being* vulnerable. Wise friend recommended that perspective to me, and I've found it helpful.

I get jumpy yes, it's called Hyper-viligence or hyper-startle response) jumpinnes... Are common symptoms of PTSD.

Today my phone was on ring/vibrate, and it went off and I almost $#%^ my pants.

What's worse was when I looked at the phone it said "Uknown Caller". I picked up and whoever was there hung up just as quick.

They called again later...I didn't pick up that time and they didn't leave a message.

I keep waitin' for my stepfather to be lurking outside of my work with a big ass knife. He has one of those y'know.

Butterfly Faerie wrote:I get jumpy yes, it's called Hyper-viligence or hyper-startle response) jumpinnes... Are common symptoms of PTSD.

Butterfly is right. The hyper-startle response is usually there but it can vary in degrees. It can be controlled with meds.

Red

i almost jumped off a curb when a dog barked yesterday. it flares up for me with stress.

This is a reaction that the body receives from noise or off guard awareness. Somehow it seems more extreme to you than others, but than again somedays you don't have this problem which is weird. I would really hate your buddies pulling tricks up just to see you jump bro. There must be some kind of treatment for this. Maybe some sort of practice to get the mind and body use to this in any situation. I hope this helps...

been jumpy for years. Sometimes even a car beeping or air brakes on a bus make me jump than others it seems. I am a nervy person anyhow but don't think I will ever change now. My mother was too. I remember being told wierd frightening stuff whilst I was young. Someone told me the moon was gonna crash into the earth and I used to be very scared and have panic attacks from then.

Yep, a good bit of the time especially around anniversary dates. Three other things can do it also. The first is when my mom talks about my sister without remembering what happened between us. It is not that she chooses not to remember it is that her memory is going because of her old age. The second is when I just come out of a flashback about my ex. and someone calls or knocks on the door. The third is when a neighbor has gotten into a physical fight and I hear everything that is going on. For a while after it has stopped I am really jumpy at just about everything that goes on around me. I take meds for this and they help some but the rest is something I have to just deal with.

I get jumpy like that when I am out and about. It's really annoying and I use to panic when it would happen but then I realize the truth about it and I can keep myself under control.

I wish there was a chat room for all of us to be able to chat in.