how do you handle yourself outside, in public places when you have ptsd

Some years ago…17 years…my husband was diagnosed with brain cancer. I made it through the 50 mile drive to the hospital where he was to have surgery. I made it through the getting him settled into a room. Then I went to Walmart to get things for his comfort. Pajamas, books.

When I entered the Walmart it all flooded over me like a tsunami. These were not private quiet tears. I sobbed like a child. I was embarrassed by my own behavior. I didn’t need to be.

Not one person - not customers, not staff, NOBODY - gave me a second glance. They just parted around me like I was a rock in a river.

Trust me when I tell you that unless you assault someone, nobody sees you. They are all wrapped up in their own stuff.

I have ptsd. I try not to go out alone, which can be very difficult. Im on the waiting list for a service dog. The civilian waitlist is very long. Maybe you could talk to your therapist or dr to see if a service dog might be a good fit for you

Try 10 long (count to 5) slow, deep breaths. Fully fill the lungs, hold, fully exhale, hold, and repeat. While doing th you and this, focus on the sensations inside your lungs to the exclusion of all else.

If this doesn't work well enough, carry a small paper bag with you, and breath into it for a few minutes whenever you need to. This increases the carbon dioxide levels in your blood, which has a very calming effect.

You could also consider getting a companion dog, and have it registered as such, so you can go everywhere with it. I've noticed Labradors, Greyhounds and Wolfhounds are excellent at these jobs. They lean in, demanding affection, when you are emotional, the act of petting them is calming. And, if you wish it, they can attract warm chats with dog-lovers.

Rapid Eye Movement Therapy, formally known as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), has been proven to be highly effective for PTSD. It helps to read the book written by the person who discovered and researched it, Dr Francine Shapiro -
and then find a therapist who is trained in the method.

If you have nightmares, maybe try some marijuana tea at night. THC helps reduce dreaming and increase sleep. You could add a teaspoon of valerian to the tea - but it tastes disgusting and needs disguising with things like liquorice root, honey and milk.
If you can walk 7 k's a day or do 15 mins interval training on a bike, this also helps to get better sleep. Better sleep means being better able to cope with stress during the day.

Sorry you experience that 🫤. I honestly feel like most people are too wrapped up in their own stuff to notice these days. And if they do notice, just know that its your way of coping with your trauma and its ok

I don't have a choice I have to go out because of my kids. If I didn't have them I would not do half the thing I do now