Omg! The harmonica part totally made me laugh. Yeah… It’s be obnoxious, but also extremely funny enough to ground me during a panic attack if I actually tried to use one during said panic attack.

Thanks for the laugh in a horrifically serious situation. 🤣

Thanks so much for reading, Beck. I’m sorry you have trauma that causes all of the interesting reactions in our bodies.

Thanks so much for reading, Sha. I completely relate to what you describe. I found some online support groups on social media that have really helped me understand how common so many behaviors are when you’ve experienced prolonged trauma So glad it was helpful!

Thanks so much for reading, Kayla. It’s definitely taken a while to release the shame and laugh at the interesting things that my body does due to trauma. Some days are just as you described. Frozen, paralyzed with fear. So much to heal.

Someone shared a picture entitled “Spice up your panic attacks with a harmonica.” Sometimes just thinking about that can make me laugh enough to find grounding. Good luck with your healing.

Hey Mumma, definitely a good read. Ticking off a lot of things for me too

I actually balled my fists so hard in therapy that if I’d had any fingernails to dig into my palms, I would have been bleeding, as you said.

My flashbacks frequently have me holding my breath and then I’ll sigh so much that people start to look at me. I’m just trying to catch my breath from running a mental/emotional marathon, Peeps! Quit looking at me like I’m crazy for breathing more frequently and loudly than y’all in weird spurts. 🙄

I have sobbed and started shaking in panic during flashbacks, curled up in a ball on the floor. Hugged a stuffed animal while hiding under a weighted blanket.

Yeah… It’s been fun. Had a panic attack while taking a bath, too. CPTSD comes with all sorts of fun reactions, and then others have the gall to say things like, “Suck it up”. Would to God I could. I have about zero tolerance for stress of any kind when I get triggered.

Sometimes, I can’t even speak because I’m so distressed. Dissociation is wonderful while trying to drive anywhere. Took me 6+ months of therapy before I could safely even ATTEMPT to drive anywhere, and even then I’m fighting against my own danged reactions and flashbacks and dissociation the whole time. It’s exhausting.

Thanks for the laugh and for showing the good, the bad, and the ugly of CPTSD with a bit of humor thrown in for good measure.