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If your normal emotional level is at the edge of anxiety. If you jump out of your skin whenever you hear a loud motorcycle or truck backfire, or the unexpected bark of a large dog. If you feel that if you relax your grip even a little, your whole world will unravel. If you feel completely exhausted from your continual high stress, and you are living as if you are on a constant level of red alert, you have a version of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) known as Hyperarousal.
In addition to the above conditions, people suffering with PTSD Hyperarousal also experience heart palpitations and severe nervousness that causes sweaty palms.
Horror Triggers
Triggers also play an important role with disorders such as PTSD because memories of the traumatic event lie in wait just beneath the conscious surface. A simple act like getting into a car to run an errand can trigger memories of the horror of a past auto accident where the person was trapped inside their car waiting to be rescued while smelling the strong aroma of dripping gasoline. Or seeing a person running wearing a ski mask, triggering memories of a violent attack in their past by an attacker wearing a ski mask.
Freeze Option
Powerful triggers like these are called “Traumatic Coupling” by doctors. In a survivor’s mind, these connect a current situation to some past trauma. Triggers often flip an emotional switch in our brain signaling fight or flee (fight or flight) in order to over-power the traumatic memory, or to run away to avoid it. But some PTSD survivors can do neither. Their nervous system provides a terrible third option instead – the Freeze Option, as if their muscles are numb. They can’t escape the traumatic memory. Their brain expects the worst, trying to cushion the impact of the event. Even after the memory subsides, the person can still feel fear and numbness.
Hyperarousal can and often leads to Panic Attacks and the more advanced Panic Disorder.
This report is not a diagnosis. We hope this information can guide you toward improving your life.
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