About jumped my skin

[Before you can make things better, you have to stop making them worse...]

Hi All, I stayed home from the office to work at home.  In the middle of the day (with my car parked in the garage), someone rang my doorbell incessantly and I jumped up on the ceiling.  After about 20 minutes I walked outside to see if it was the mailman or UPS or FedEx or Jehovah Witness or sales person but there was nothing left on the front door.  I know that this doesn't necessarily mean anything as it could have been a little child selling chocolate for their school.  I guess what it did do is make me realize that I am far more nervous than I realized.  I mean I was so startled, refused to go to the door, my heart was racing, and I was like a little caged animal that just sat there shaking.  I honestly don't think he would ever come to my house (70 miles north of him) as he only came to my 1 time in the entire time that we were "together."  I had thought I felt rather safe as home but I guess I am on red alert.  Has or is anyone else gone through this same thing?

[Olivia_D]

Hi All, I stayed home from the office to work at home.  In the middle of the day (with my car parked in the garage), someone rang my doorbell incessantly and I jumped up on the ceiling.  After about 20 minutes I walked outside to see if it was the mailman or UPS or FedEx or Jehovah Witness or sales person but there was nothing left on the front door.  I know that this doesn't necessarily mean anything as it could have been a little child selling chocolate for their school.  I guess what it did do is make me realize that I am far more nervous than I realized.  I mean I was so startled, refused to go to the door, my heart was racing, and I was like a little caged animal that just sat there shaking.  I honestly don't think he would ever come to my house (70 miles north of him) as he only came to my 1 time in the entire time that we were "together."  I had thought I felt rather safe as home but I guess I am on red alert.  Has or is anyone else gone through this same thing?

[Sunfl0wer]

 Hi Olivia,

While I do not know your story, I do relate to this.

I have cPTSD and am triggered at times into a panic by unexpected door knocks/rings and would be especially anxious if the door bell would ring and no one was there.

Yes, like a caged animal, that is how I have felt at times, it is a horrible feeling, sorry you had to go through this!

Do you have any better idea on the cause?  Faulty wiring? A tree branch leaning on it?  Or is it likely a person?

[CloseToFreedom]

I can relate to this. Especially in the first few months, while I was at home depressed. When the doorbell rang I would panic. When I saw a car stop outside my house that looked a bit like the car of my ex, I would panic as well.

Its much less now. How long has it been for you?

[Olivia_D]

Yes. PTSD startle. It has been 40 days but he did an unexpected smear campaign that I didn't expect. I got upset about that this weekend so I am wound up. I am going to a friend's house for a few days to try and have a change of scenery. I need to get a grip as he's not worth this agony.