How to stop flinching

[Spl spl]

Hey all,

I have this annoying ongoing problem from a fight that happened almost 2 years ago. I keep flinching when I'm not scared. Like when I'm on the train and it suddenly moves, I flinch. Like full-body flinch that's a bit obvious. I kinda hate it because it reminds me of what happened.

Other times I flinch is when: when people come up from behind me and suddenly start a conversation (I kinda jump and yell sometimes too), when someone is walking fast towards me (I flinched twice in a row when it looked like someone was walking towards me in a crowd), and occasionally from the sound of airplanes (airplanes also sound SUPER loud now and put me on edge which is annoying because I'm in a city where there's a lot of them).

Most of the time I don't even feel scared or even know why I'm flinching this time, it's just my body doing it by itself, like a body memory.

Any tips to stop flinching like this? This is one of the things that really bothers me and I don't really know where to start when it comes to treating it. Like will it get better if I work through what happened a bit more (mentally)? Is there anything specific you can do for this kind of problem? I'm really hoping this isn't permanent. I'm seeing a psych soon but if anyone has any tips or advice it would be super appreciated.

[quirkywords]

Hi spl spl

Thanks for this question.

I also flinch when people come up behind me or I am not expecting someone when I am alone. I have no reason to and have no idea why I do. For me it is instinctive and I also scream loudly which is not pleasant for others. Sometimes if I am engrossed doing something I will say to myself someone may come into the room be prepared.

I think on a train that sudden movement scares me and I think it does others as you worry.

Not sure that helps except you are not alone. I will be interested to see if others have an answer.

[startingnew]

Hi Spl Spl

Speaking to a psychologist sounds like a good idea. Perhaps you have ptsd from the fight. If it was a physical fight (even if a hand was raised but no contact) it can sometimes affect us subconsciously like we are now expecting someone to physically hurt us even when theres no percieved threat.

Perhaps chatting to Beyond blue counsellor or 1800 Respect (if you think that may be appropriate service for you) to also get some tips. Doing some research on PTSD as well and how to cope might prove helpful

[Spl spl]

Hi startingnew,

Thanks for the reply. It was physical so what you're saying makes a lot of sense to me.

Actually it sounds dumb but I didn't consider PTSD at all, I thought it was just trauma by itself. But looking at the symptoms makes me want to read up on it more. Thank you. And yeah I'm seeing a psych very soon so no worries 🙂

[Spl spl]

Hi quirkywords,

Sorry to hear you are experiencing the same thing, I hope we can both find an answer to this. I experience pretty much the exact same thing as you described. Heck, even if I recognize who startled me in the split second before I jump I still jump it's very instinctual

Wishing you all the best

[startingnew]

Hi Spl,

im glad my suggestion was helpful! have you had a chance to do some research and see if PTSD sound like what you may have? Has there been any coping strategies that are standing out that are working for you?

[Spl spl]

Hi startingnew,

While I haven't gotten a diagnosis or anything, I was able to talk about it with my psych. One thing she said that helped was that flinching doesn't have to be a bad thing, it can be a neutral thing. It's just one way our brain tries to protect us from what it perceives as danger. I think once I kinda understood how flinching worked I kinda stopped worrying about "what if I flinch in the future" ... which was where a lot of my anxiety was coming from tbh.

So yeah hope that helps anyone who is dealing with this problem