Page 835 - Total War on PTSD

“Dogs are better than human beings because they know but do not tell.” - Emily Dickinson
Courtenay: Much like Jeffrey, I have issues with thunder and lightning as well. This is especially true at night and I think it's because of the combination of the darkness with the sounds of thunder and the lightening...and because nighttime...in the darkness...is when a majority of the rocket attacks took place when I was in Afghanistan. It is especially bothersome to me when thunder is close enough that I can feel the vibration under my feet.
Every movie that has action in it...for instance gunfire, bomb detonation, airplanes or helicopters taking off or landing, any overly loud noises, and even the scraping sound of chairs being dragged across the floor....I have to fight to not leave the room. I often plug my ears if it gets overwhelming. I hate to think what others must think of me...when they see an adult woman plugging her ears when a dump truck drives by. I get the same reaction from alarm bells, music played too loud overhead, voices from loudspeakers, honking vehicles, police cars, fire engines and ambulances.
This also happens when people are yelling or arguing, or even talking overly loudly...and whenever I am in any place where a lot of people congregate, I try to deal with my issues but often find myself inching towards the exit without realizing that I am doing so...as happened at my little sister Sarah's wedding reception. I feel like I am right back on base in Kandahar, my senses fully activated in that moment but totally absent to the present. The wedding ceremony was over with and everyone in the room seemed to be talking at once, clamoring for photographs.
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