How to Handle Heightened Startle Responses and Sound Sensitivity
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- 886
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- 51
- Length
- 16:14
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- Category
- Education
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Do you ever find yourself unable to enjoy the music you once loved or find that your ears are particularly sensitive to loud noises?
You're not alone. This can be a common experience for those who have endured significant stress or trauma. In my case, I experienced this first-hand during my marriage to my ex-husband, who was a covert narcissist.
Over time, I developed a heightened sensitivity to sound. If someone dropped something near me, I wouldn't just startle like most people; I would jump out of my skin. This extreme response is a common consequence of narcissistic abuse and trauma.
In this episode, we will explore:
- What is a heightened startle response?
- How to manage and overcome it
- The biology behind heightened startle responses
- Why we tune out background noise and focus on human voices
-
Podcast Resources:
Join my FREE Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/thriveafternarcissisticabuse
Access my low cost Narcissistic Trauma Recovery Programme https://go.carolinestrawson.com/heal-the-trauma-of-narcis…
Connect with me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carolinestrawson/
Find me on TikTok!: https://www.tiktok.com/@carolinestrawson
My website: https://www.carolinestrawson.com/
Do you ever find yourself unable to enjoy the music you once loved or find that your ears are particularly sensitive to loud noises?
You're not alone. This can be a common experience for those who have endured significant stress or trauma. In my case, I experienced this first-hand during my marriage to my ex-husband, who was a covert narcissist.
Over time, I developed a heightened sensitivity to sound. If someone dropped something near me, I wouldn't just startle like most people; I would jump out of my skin. This extreme response is a common consequence of narcissistic abuse and trauma.
In this episode, we will explore:
- What is a heightened startle response?
- How to manage and overcome it
- The biology behind heightened startle responses
- Why we tune out background noise and focus on human voices
-
Podcast Resources:
Join my FREE Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/thriveafternarcissisticabuse
Access my low cost Narcissistic Trauma Recovery Programme https://go.carolinestrawson.com/heal-the-trauma-of-narcis…
Connect with me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carolinestrawson/
Find me on TikTok!: https://www.tiktok.com/@carolinestrawson
My website: https://www.carolinestrawson.com/
@jules9669
I have autism, and trauma. Double whammy for sensitivities
3 likes
@Beokay-ns1yl
Sometimes I have to remind myself that I am not in the room or having a conversation with my ex, but with my husband
2 likes
@jansen1997
Omg , I thought I was a freak with this sound sensitivity, I am almost a hermit at home now as I can’t deal with the noise of the outside world. I constantly think my friends look at me like I’m weird as I can’t tune out any sounds and startle so easily. Thank you this makes so much sense , even 4 years on from escaping narcissistic abuse.
1 likes
@beagchic3488
Being an audiophile, spent thousands on home theatre/speakers for my man cave/living room and has worked against me lol The centre speaker's clarity is so precise that if anybody is eating crisps or rustling a bag on the TV is so irritating 😖 I end up reaching for the remote control. Incidentally, I have just managed to escape from a covert narcissist and gone no contact 🙂
1 likes
@lesliepear0723
In a recent vendor arena an educational vendor had a program for kids with ADHD that involved bongos. During the busiest vendor moments with a heavy crowd the vendor would randomly play the bongos to attract people to his booth. I could not function and talk to contacts as he banged on the bongos. I shut down. Thank you for making this video. I recognize that I need help in this area.
2 likes
@Ash-z4d3p
I'm definitely more traumatized than I was in the fall of 2020. I'm not blaming anybody else because we know how that goes, but I'm bringing it back to me and I'm more traumatized than I was. Now I've gotta do the work all over again.
@Beokay-ns1yl
❤️ Iam sorry youve been through all this .
When I hear a certain noise I fill up with emotion and feel upset, I have to stop myself from getting very tearful.
Another is when my husband cracks his fingers it goes right through me really unsettling and I start to go right back to when my ex did this. Last night I begged him not to do it near me.
1 likes
@abreath_of_fresh-air
I’m a singer/songwriter/musician/producer I was so attuned to music I’d create all the music in my head while awake and in my dreams and bring it into form so easily what was so difficult was talking with anyone or reading a sentence while this music was going on I’m my head and if there was music playing around me on a radio or something forget it it was so difficult to do anything and it was exhausting and frustrating and became traumatic as to how I processed music and connected it with trauma or fears etc. I got to the point I stopped listening to music period. I had to starv the non useful process that had turned against me out just to be able to function and be there for my newborn and step into being a mother at the time. That went well for a few years however last year i busted both my ear drums one after the other I don’t have or don’t recognise panic attack anymore as they kept changing into panic attacks of randomly collapsing as I’m walking like everytime I was leaving my psychologist appointment. That changed into memory loss, then not being able to write etc however NOW, I am dealing with full body spasms so quick and precise to the point I’m going to snap my neck. Please help. I’m very interested in healing and studying this further with your course
@abreath_of_fresh-air
God bless you this has been the most helpful information I’ve ever heard in my life for me. Thankyou!
@Pedrothebandit
Totally got the startle thing. What are your thoughts on tinnitus.
2 likes
@abreath_of_fresh-air
Oh. Wow……..!!! So many things!!! Would love to chat with you