After being startled by something

After being startled by something, it is usually a normal physiological stress response, but if it cannot be relieved for a long time, it may develop into post-traumatic stress disorder. The main manifestations of startle reactions are increased heart rate, sweating, and transient mental confusion, which can be restored through self-regulation in most cases. When the human body experiences sudden fright, the sympathetic nervous system quickly activates, prompting a large secretion of adrenaline. This physiological response can cause pupils to dilate, muscles to tense, and breathing to accelerate, helping the body enter a state of combat or escape. Some people may experience transient aphasia or limb stiffness, which usually subsides on its own within minutes to hours. It is recommended to practice deep breathing to help calm emotions, drink warm water to relieve throat tightness, and choose a quiet environment for ten minutes to close your eyes and rest. When the startle response lasts for more than a month, accompanied by repeated flashbacks, deliberate avoidance of relevant scenes, and sustained increased alertness, post-traumatic stress disorder should be considered. This situation often occurs after experiencing major traffic accidents, violent incidents, or natural disasters, and patients may experience symptoms such as sleep disorders and emotional numbness. Long term exposure to this state can affect the function of the hippocampus, leading to decreased memory and attention. In this case, professional psychological intervention should be sought.

Progressive muscle relaxation training can be performed daily, starting from the toes and gradually contracting and then relaxing various muscle groups. Maintaining a regular daily routine can help stabilize the function of the autonomic nervous system, and supplementing with magnesium rich foods such as bananas and dark green vegetables in moderation can alleviate nerve excitability. If persistent palpitations or panic attacks occur, it is recommended to record the triggering factors and specific symptom manifestations to provide reference for subsequent psychological assessment.