Car horns make me jump

But that’s not why I think I have PTSD

I’m pretty sure I have PTSD from a few years ago but I’ve never had it formally diagnosed. Would having it diagnosed help? And how does it get diagnosed anyway? I should probably know the answers to those questions…

Anyway, car horns—among other things—make me jump. And yesterday was not a good day for this.

Side note: I don’t think I have PTSD just because car horns make me jump. Just wanted to make that clear. But I’m not going to explain right now why I think I have PTSD because… it will probably exacerbate by PTSD, mmm-k?

A certain part of town was gridlocked today because of road works. I had battled my way through the traffic and dumped my car in a car park so that I could walk into town to do some work.

I had to walk right alongside the traffic, passing several junctions with traffic lights. The blaring of horns began before I even left the car park.

Just thinking about it makes my eyes twitch.

One car was honking at the car in front because it wasn’t bashing its way through a line of stationary cars in the desired manner. The car reversed and tried to take another route, spurning more honking.

Now, some car horns are loud. I mean LOUD!!! Foghorn in your face loud.

When I’m passing right by cars in a traffic jam, not knowing whether they’re going to kick off for some reason, it really sets me on edge.

I was gritting my teeth and clenching a fist for a good part of the journey.

My advice to car drivers thinking about sounding their horn would be to check for any nearby pedestrians that look suitably haggard enough to be candidates for PTSD and then resist the urge to honk.

In summary, don’t honk near me.

In conclusion, don’t honk near me.

To sum up, don’t honk near me.

Because I flip out, mmm-k?

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