PTSD'S Startle Effect

Here's something I've noticed about noise.

Situation: Sis and I in the kitchen. A woodpecker in a tree outside. Woodpecker starts up. Sis and I are both startled. Then we both realize it's only a woodpecker.

Here's the difference: Sis (who does not have PTSD), pays less and less attention to the woodpecker until she doesn't notice the noise at all. I (with PTSD) get the same startle effect with *every* peck that the woodpecker pecks. It doesn't matter if I've figured out what it is. Each and every peck startles me right out of my skin. That's the PTSD startle effect.

The result: I have to get away from the noise or I'll start an adrenaline rush, which might get aggressive. They're coming to take me away, ha-ha.