Got caught in a dust devil a few days ago and freaked.

[Lady Freedom Returns]

I was setting at a bus stop when a dust devil hit.

I don't really know why, but I freaked. I had some sort of flashback.

Some of the people there had no idea what was wrong, but wanted to help. Others had some "funny" things to say. Dave was there and was holding me as tight as he dared. He was afraid of hurting me.

After I calmed down, I was so embarrassed. I don't know why it caused a flashback. But I hate that I did that.

[uppityperson]

1. You can not predict when something like this will happen or what will set it off. Our flight/fight

brains are wired to protect us and sometimes it just happens. It is embarrassing but glad you had someone with you to keep you safe, to keep that part of your mind ok. Recognizing what the trigger was, afterwards, can help next time if/when it happens as your monkey mind can talk to your reptilian mind "it's ok, you got through it" which helps.

Best wishes.

[Lady Freedom Returns]

2. Thanks

It was a good thing Dave was there. I was freaking. People around had no clue what was wrong.

It was something about the wind and the stuff it was blowing around.

Add to it that those things can just pop up around here. I will have to figure out if more meds will help or if the councilor has some sort of technique that will help.

I felt so bad about those people watching it. So many was wanting to help. You could see they felt helpless.

It sort of made me feel good that so many there was wanting to help. It is a good feeling to know people still care for others. Even if they don't know them.

[uppityperson]

3. 48 yrs after the tornado, I freaked.

Winds have always bothered me but it took going to gulf coast after Katrina to set it off one day. I thought I was just tired, hot, hungry, stressed but I thought I was going to die, right then. The guy I was with just laughed which pissed me off and got me out of it. About a yr later found an essay my mom wrote about the tornado and an older sib told me LA/MS reminded of our neighborhood after the tornado and it finally made sense. Big winds, things hitting the house = gonna die.

So my monkey mind pops up during big winds (which we have every fall) and reminds me I'm not a toddler in the basement but will. be. ok.

I can not imagine being in one as an adult. Just too much and best wishes to all who have been as it sucks.