From One Survivor to Another

Survivor Vocabulary #22: Survivor Impulses

[general trigger warning for discussion of trauma responses]

One of the lesser-known and discussed symptoms of PTSD, depression, and anxiety is impulsiveness. A survivor may be going about their daily life when, suddenly, they are struck with this intense need to act out. It might be a need to finally tell someone off, or confess one’s feelings for another person, or a need to skip school.

Survivor Impulses are both a biological and emotional response. One possible explanation is that a depressed emotional state also depresses the body, and so the body and mind respond by trying to find ways to get out of that state. Other impulses might be triggered by a specific memory or situation. Depending on the impulse, it can be uncomfortable but ignorable, or it can be as extreme as something you absolutely must do in that moment.

Sometimes Survivor Impulses can be dangerous. Acting on an impulse can create social tension or affect the way you’re seen by others. In these situations, a survivor may find themselves unable to explain why they did what they did— how could anyone understand that impulse, that need in the same way you do? But other times, these feelings can be useful…a survivor might suddenly decide to speak out on their experience, or say what they have always needed to say. Survivor Impulses are often what get people out of dangerous situations; they are a natural stress response that shows you’re trying to escape.

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34. crowflieshome reblogged this from fromonesurvivortoanother and added:

    This was all very very interesting to me, despite my discomfort with the vocabulary itself. It’s so, so important to...

35. mentalhurricane likes this
36. nooffswitch reblogged this from mentalhurricane and added:

    Welp this explains…EVERYTHING I DO. I’m gonna make more sign drawings for the eeg camera now

37. mentalhurricane reblogged this from p-3a and added:

    Would this be why I bought a ninja army from the gum ball machine?

38. pendere reblogged this from p-3a and added:

    And then one looks back on the impulsive action and face palms out of extreme embarrassment.

39. p-3a reblogged this from secretsofthedisabled and added:

    This is an actual thing TUMBLR MAGIC

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46. secretsofthedisabled reblogged this from fromonesurvivortoanother and added:

    OMG there’s an explanation for what I do!

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