Can some with PTSD be fine, but experience severe anxiety symptoms after seeing or talking to certain people?

Question

I was diagnosed with an social anxiety and panic disorder. One therapist from the past believes I have PTSD. However, I'm not sure, because I always seem to get better, and my anxiety will start to decrease and I will honestly begin making plans to improve my life. However, when I speak to the parent who was very abusive towards me as a child, I immediately begin to have the severe anxiety and depression symptoms like clock work. Even my speech is effected, to the point where I begin to stutter as I did during my childhood, and can barely talk to this parent. My muscles also become very tense and I'm left sore the next day.

Afterall, if the severe symptoms only surface when speaking to this parent or other abusers. If I have no symptoms when staying away from these triggering people. is it really ptsd? Has anyone else experienced these drastic changes in mood and anxiety as well?

Answer 1

That sounds like a classic case of PTSD. My father has a really bad case of it. Anything can trigger an attack but an encounter with the person who caused the trauma would be much more likely to do so.

Answer 2

You should do some reading about PTSD and understand this disorder. It is important to know your disorder inside and out which will also make you more aware of symptoms and things that may trigger you. What you have described does make sense, as many have pointed out, your coming into contact with your abuser triggers your symptoms of PTSD. Please see a psychologist who can help you out with this through a variety of possible treatments.
And yes, you can function quite normally most of the time, more so with treatment.
When you have completed these steps, follow "Pandora the Cat's" advice as it is positive, empowering, healthy, and therapeutic.
Good luck.
Doc

Answer 3

Certainly,

Victims of PTSD can suffer from anxiety when confronted with triggers. A parent who was abusive would certainly qualify as a trigger, and the symptoms you describe sound like an axiety attack to me. I'm just an undergrad, so you'll want to speak with your current mental health professional, but they're sure to know what treatments are available.

Answer 4

I don't know what it's called, but it makes complete sense that you would have symptoms when in contact with an abusive parent--or even sometimes with people who remind you of that parent. I am sorry for the trauma that you continue to experience. Even if you choose to forgive, you have the right to discontinue contact with this person for the sake of your own health. You deserve to live in peace. Share your insight with a therapist, but in my opinion and experience, the best treatment is to avoid the tirgger. Good luck and God Bless!

Answer 5

We'll See Our Mary Again "Marking the entrance to the valley of the Great Salt Lake and standing as a sentinel pointing the way, is located "This Is the Place" monument. Here is featured Brigham Young—his back turned to the privations, hardships, and struggles of the long desert way, his outstretched arm pointing to the valley of precious promise. . . ."That first trek of 1847, organized and led by Brigham Young, is described by historians as one of the great epics of United States history. Mormon pioneers by the hundreds suffered and died from disease, exposure, or starvation. There were some who, lacking wagons and teams, literally walked the 1,300 miles across the plains and through the mountains, pushing and pulling handcarts. In these groups, one in six perished."For many, the journey didn't begin at Nauvoo, Kirtland, Far West, or New York, but rather in distant England, Scotland, Scandinavia, or Germany. . . ."Between the safety of home and the promise of Zion stood the angry and treacherous waters of the mighty Atlantic. Who can recount the fear that gripped the human heart during those perilous crossings? Prompted by the silent whisperings of the Spirit, sustained by a simple yet abiding faith, they trusted in God and set sail on their journey. Europe was behind, America ahead."On board one of those overcrowded and creaking vessels of yesteryear were my great-grandparents, their tiny family, and a few meager possessions. The waves were high, the voyage long, the quarters cramped. Tiny Mary had always been frail, but now with the passage of each day, her anxious mother saw the little one becoming weaker. She had a serious illness. There was no neighborhood drugstore, no doctor's prescription, no modern hospital—just the steady roll of the tired old ship. Day after day worried parents watched for land, but there was none. Soon, Mary could not stand. Lips that were too weak to speak trembled with silent but eloquently expressed wonderment and fear. The end drew near. Little Mary peacefully passed beyond this veil of tears."As family and friends crowded around on the open deck, the ship's captain directed the service; and that precious, ever-so-small body, placed tenderly in a tear-stained canvas, was committed to the angry sea. Her strong father, in emotion-choked tones, comforted her grieving mother, repeating, ' "The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord." (Job 1:21.) We'll see our Mary again!' " Thomas S. Monson, "Come, Follow Me," Ensign, July 1988, 2, 4 Topics: Sacrifice, Testimony

Answer 6

I have PTSD mine has never gone away...But I can not be in large crowds of people..I get ALOT of uncontrolled muscle movements...I shake alot too. But I am not around the people who did this to me, but it effects me in my everyday life. You may want to stay away from your family even tough they are you family. It may be in your best interest. Otherwise you may end up like me where it effects my everyday life..it sounds like you can get out of the cycle and it may not be ptsd, but just anxiety and depression that amplifies when around the wrong people

I wish you the best of luck

Answer 7

LOTS OF PEOPLE HAVE SOME SORT OF POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS. WE CAN EITHER CHOOSE TO BE PROFESSIONAL VICTIMS, OR WE CAN CHOOSE TO OVERCOME IT.

CREATE DISTANCE FROM THE PEOPLE WHO BRING ON THE ANXIETY, AND GET BACK AT THEM BY IMPROVING YOUR LIFE WITHOUT THEM IN IT.

TALK TO SOMEONE FREQUENTLY. IF YOU DON'T "DOWNLOAD" TO SOMEONE, IT WILL LEAK OUT OF YOU IN OTHER WAYS, SOME OF WHICH CAN BE SELF-DEFEATING (APPARENTLY).

FORCE YOURSELF TO BECOME EXTROVERTED BY PAYING MORE ATTENTION TO OTHERS THAN YOUR OWN FEELINGS OF DISCOMFORT AND WORRY. BE LESS SELF-ABSORBED. GIVE OTHER PEOPLE COMPLIMENTS AND MAKE THEIR DAY. START CONVERSATIONS BY ASKING "WHAT DO YOU THINK" "HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT" AND "WHAT WOULD YOU DO".......MAKE IT NOT ABOUT YOU. MAKE IT ABOUT OTHERS.

MASTER SKILLS AND TALENTS, TEACH THEM TO OTHERS. VOLUNTEER YOUR TIME AND ENERGY TO THOSE IN NEED. SHOW YOURSELF HOW MUCH YOU HAVE TO GIVE, AND HELP OTHER PEOPLE. THIS WILL HELP YOU, AND YOU WILL SOON FEEL YOUR OWN WORTH.

FORGIVE YOUSELF FOR PAST MISTAKES, AND LOOK FOR OPPORTUNITIES TO IMPROVE, OVERCOME, AND GROW. QUIT WORRYING ABOUT THE WRONG AND BAD, AND FOCUS ON THE RIGHT AND GOOD.

YOU DON'T NEED TO USE MEDICATIONS AS A CRUTCH, WHICH ACTUALLY ENABLE YOU TO NOT FIND BETTER COPING SKILLS. SEE A PSYCHOLOGIST RATHER THAN A PSYCHAITRIST. QUIT DIAGNOSING YOURSELF AND LABELING YOURSELF. THE DANGER IN THAT IS, YOUR DIAGNOSIS IS ALTERED BY SELF-PRESERVATION (YOU ARE RIGHT IN YOUR OWN MIND). YOU CANNOT POSSIBLY BE OBJECTIVE....

CHANGE EVERY "I CAN'T" TO AN "I AM NOT WILLING TO" AND SEE IT FROM THAT ANGLE. SEE OBSTALES AS OPPORTUNITIES IN DISGUISE (TO LEARN, OVERCOME, AND GROW). REALIZE THAT YOUR FEELINGS ARE YOUR RESPONSIBILITY ONLY. DROP OFF THE BAGGAGE. IT'S LIKE PICKING UP POOP AND PUTTING IT IN YOUR POCKET. IT CONTAMINATES FUTURE RELATIONSHIPS, AS WELL AS EXISTING ONES.

GET BUSY WITH IMPROVING YOUR LIFE BY TAKING CARE OF YOURSELF AND GETTING MORE EXERCISE. EXERCISE PROMOTES ENDORPHINS, AND THIS IS A GOOD THING.

YOU HAVE ALL THE POWER YOU NEED. YOU KNOW HOW TO GET RESOURCES TO ASSIST YOURSELF IN HELPING YOUSELF. QUIT WORRYING ABOUT LIFE AND START ENJOYING IT.