So, I have this big dest and it goes kind of in a half square, so my compie sits in the corner of the square, I face into the corner of the square and have desk to the left of my compie and to the right. The girl that works behind me is Elena and she has the same set up. Well she has a balloon she was given for something attached to a bag of carmel corn. So, If you can picture how I am seated focusing in on my compie this obtrusive balloon is just barely in my peripheral vision as I learned. There is no way for anyone to get standing behind me, they would have to stand in front of my desk or to my left, well I caught a glimpse of this balloon and took it as someone behind me. I went into full Blown fear, PTSD freakout. Elena looked at me like I was off my tree, I almost punched her balloon, my wind was literally taken out of me with the fear of someone being there. Worse yet I had a customer on the phone and had to finish the call before taking a minute to compose myself. Whew, don't ever want that to happen again. Does this type thing happen to others?

I've had some kind of similar experiences. I'm very careful not to leave clothes hanging from a door or laying on a chair. If I catch a glimpse of them out of my peripheral vision I envision another person there and a breathtaking moment of panic follows. It doesn't matter if I'm the one that put the clothes there. It happens more frequently if I'm tired or just woke up. It's wierd and very unsettling.

Port,

The other day I was at someones house, they have a full sized pool (enclosed) off of their kitchen. The kitchen has a picture window that is huge and looks out into the pool room. So as I entered the kitchen I always look out the window. In the next split second the home owner pops up from a crouched position in the pool room(right in front of the picture window). I almost passed out after screaming.

I too see things out of the corner of my eyes and freak out.

I have the startle response so bad.....I hate it. I just don't know how to get over it....

Is there a way to "get over it" or is it just one of those things like body memories that we have to learn to live with and compensate for?

I'm sorry but I started to laugh when you said you wanted to punch her balloon. But seriously I have the same problem.

My house in in the process of being remodeled and there are things all over the place and I see stuff out of the corner of my eyes and I swear it's always a man in black cloths. I hate that because it's an everyday thing for me.

I'm in the process of trying real hard not to look straight at it to confirm in my mind it's just a piece of furniture, so I can train myself not to be afraid of everything that can't move.

My startle response is so bad my family won't come within five feet of me until I acknowledge they are there. They stand at the doorway and get my attention before coming into the room. My daughter is 6 so she forgets sometimes, but unfortunately she gets reminded real quick.

It's a mess for me so I surely can sympathize with you.

Peace
Tammy

Good question Ruddy.....unfortunately I don't know.....LOL!!!!!! Otherwise I would be over it by now.

Hey Anthony.....Can someone get over their startle response or are we stuck with it for the duration??????

I think EMDR might be able to help with startle responses and other issues. But it may be a case by case situation.

However, Anthony may be better informed about this.

Peace
Tammy

Hey - Me too. I jump two inches off the ground if someone walks into the room and I'm not expecting it. Same with a sound, some tiny little noise will make me jump if I don't expect it. Not too nice, eh, esp. when I've been out in the barn all alone for 12 hours and my son come up nice and quite and say's hi dad, and I think . . . what. well, i scares the holy shibe out of me. Hasn't change in years, eh.

I am so jumpy it is ridiculous....the only thing that has made this any better is staying alone (ha ha) I do find that I have been able to stay off work and control how calm things are around me that I don't jump as much. so...keeping things calm helps. If that is possible

Startle response is a two part process, firstly it is about no longer fearing your traumatic experience and secondly exposure therapy is what helps change the startle response.

You must consider certain things though in this equation. Firstly, it is actually normal to startle if frightened instantly. What would not be considered normal, is anything beyond what one would classify as "normal" in a startle response, ie. hitting the floor is not normal, jumping of the ground is not normal, etc. A startle is classified as a short shock to your system... anything beyond that short shock is what you would tackle through exposure therapy and ensure your fear of certain responses is dealt with.