Does post traumatic stress disorder make you feel weak?

I go through phases that go on for weeks where I'm feeling really weak and spaced out and I don't always know where it's coming from.

I get almost like a child trying to handle the life of an adult. People have a way of ordering me around and I get so I can't confront them or stand up to them. In one case, someone even sold me a car when I was in a fragile state like this.

I know it isn't always good to self-diagnose. I have wondered if it's from post-traumatic stress disorder or if it's a deeper problem or a little of both.
Does anyone else here have similar experiences?

The spaced out feeling may be some form of dissociation? Perhaps you should read up a bit more on dissociation to see if you can relate to those feelings?

Flashbacks are usually the defining indicator of having PTSD. Re-experiencing a past traumatic event though either visual, smell, somatic, or emotional flashbacks is the defining characteristic of PTSD. Do you have any past traumatic events in your life that you re-experience through flashbacks like that?

Have you considered seeing a therapist to get some help to work out what may be the problem for you?

PTSD has motivated me to do things to make myself strong.

I wonder if a stimulant medication would help you if you're feeling weak. I know in the past that has helped me.

Yes.

In PTSD, the body is creating lots of stress hormones (cortisol, adrenaline, etc). During this hypervigilance, the brain and body is using more energy than usual to maintain the hyper-alert state.

Of course, this can only be maintained for a certain amount of time (days, weeks, more), before the brain and body become very tierd and is forced to 'rest/crash'.

When this happenes to me, I also feel very drained and 'spaced' out. I have no emotional/mental/physical energy to argue with anyone, etc.

So I'd say it's 'normal'. Just remember that during these times you need to take care of yourself more. And that you're not alone.

It would still be wise to mention it to your doctor, though.

"I get almost like a child trying to handle the life of an adult. People have a way of ordering me around and I get so I can't confront them or stand up to them. In one case, someone even sold me a car when I was in a fragile state like this."

Perfect description of symptoms...

If you have PTSD problems, it may be the child in you that is coming out at the wrong time.

You cant confront them. If you do, you might attack. Instead, you protect.

The system gets haggard and weak. Ripped apart. ITs easy to be taken advantage of...