P.T.S.D. If you've never experienced it...

Until I drove through the Rockies. Winding roads with a sheer dropoff on one side. I really thought I was going to die, especially when large vehicles were tailgating at high speeds. I pulled over at every opportunity (there weren't many) and hyperventilated. Never had that happen before, in any situation.
I fully understand your fears. There's a video of tourists on a bus with huge dropoffs on one side, one woman started screeching and got off, walked the roadway. She was just terrified of rolling down the road and felt safer walking.
 

PTSD from military service. Triggers are loud noises that sound like gunfire or artillery(eg: thunder & lightening storms).

Later, the aftermath from a couple divorces were PTSD-like.

As Shalimar mentioned:
When they started banning fireworks in Vancouver city area, some people didn't like it (obviously) but having some military retirees recount what that reminds them of, sold it better.

Is it better to celebrate your freedom by shooting off fireworks, or voting? I say the latter, many people gave their lives so I can.
 
My former foster son has PTSD. He's triggered whenever an adult expresses anger in any way, even just a facial expression will do it.

Doing things that remind him of much happier times helps calm him. Nature hikes do that especially well, also hugging or sitting with his favorite stuffed animals (he's 4), or even just drinking from his favorite cup.

(I fostered him from when he was only 3 1/2 weeks old until he was 28 months old, so a little under 3 years. Then his mom got custody and she abused him)
 

I have been awarded a fifty percent disability rating for PTSD because of what I went through in the Vietnam War in the US Army and US Navy. I also have other disability ratings relating to the Agent Orange I was exposed to. Outside of the military I have PTSD because of tornados that I have gone through and lightning strikes so close to me that I can't believe that I was not struck. Also, of typhoons because of going through a couple of them in the Pacific Ocean. I have an extreme fear of being near sunken ships and want to be nowhere near them.
 
I'd have to say that the nearest to PTSD I've come was after my husband died. I had an irrational fear of falling and I'd burst into tears whenever I'd encounter an ambulance or firetruck.

It all passed in a few months, though.
That one was big for years, had to call so many times for my husband. Just hearing one would make me have a panic attack.
 
I don't personally suffer from PTSD, but I certainly feel for those who do. I saw a recent story on Last Week Tonight With John Oliver that featured the use of psychedelic drugs for treating PTSD. Just ignore the humor and go right to 2:26 to see if there is something that might be of benefit.

 


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