“Have you ever jumped out of your skin when someone unexpectedly walked into the room and wondered, ‘What in the world was that about?’ Because lately, I have.”
As I traveled down another one of my infamous research rabbit holes for The Dual Diagnosis Diaries, I came across several people living with autoimmune diseases who described being extremely jumpy or easily startled.
That immediately caught my attention because, over the past several months, I have noticed the exact same thing happening to me.
At first, I brushed it off.
Maybe I was distracted.
Maybe I was just tired.
Maybe I simply needed more sleep. (Let’s be honest—when you live with chronic illness, lack of sleep is practically a personality trait.)
But the more I thought about it, the more I realized this wasn’t an occasional occurrence. It had quietly become my normal.
🧠 The Research Rabbit Hole
As I dug deeper, I learned that although being easily startled is not typically considered a direct symptom of Crohn’s Disease or Myasthenia Gravis, it can be associated with a nervous system that has become hyperalert or overly reactive.
Think about it.
When you live with chronic illness, your body is already working overtime.
Add in:
- Chronic pain
- Poor sleep
- Fatigue
- Ongoing stress
- Anxiety about symptoms
- Living in an environment where you do not always feel relaxed or safe
…and suddenly it makes a lot more sense why the nervous system might decide to remain on high alert 24/7.
🚨 When My Body Reacts Before My Mind
Reading this information made me reflect on my own experiences.
When someone unexpectedly walks into my room, my heart immediately starts racing. For a brief moment, I feel panicked and on edge. It is almost as if my body reacts before my mind has time to process who just walked in.
The reaction is immediate.
Heart racing.
Adrenaline surge.
Brief panic.
Then, a few seconds later, my brain catches up and realizes there isn’t actually a threat.
Sound familiar to anyone else?
💭 More Than Just Chronic Illness
The more I reflected, the more I realized this response may not be related solely to my health conditions.
It may also be connected to my environment and the prolonged stress I have been living under.
When a person spends long periods feeling stressed, overwhelmed, emotionally unsafe, or constantly anticipating conflict, the nervous system adapts.
It becomes hypervigilant.
Always scanning.
Always preparing.
Always waiting for the next problem, the next piece of bad news, or the next shoe to drop.
Living with chronic illness already teaches us to be hyperaware. We monitor symptoms, watch for changes, anticipate flares, and learn to recognize when something in our bodies isn’t quite right.
Sometimes that constant state of vigilance spills over into other areas of life.
💜 What This Realization Taught Me
For me, this realization was important.
Not because it provided all the answers, but because it reminded me that our bodies and minds are deeply connected.
Chronic illness affects far more than the organs listed in a medical textbook.
It can influence:
- How we sleep.
- How we respond to stress.
- How safe we feel.
- How our nervous systems react to everyday situations.
I do not know if there is a simple solution.
But understanding why something may be happening feels like an important first step.
Perhaps this is just another reminder that healing is not only about treating disease.
Sometimes healing is also about creating spaces, relationships, and environments where our nervous systems finally feel safe enough to rest.
And as I sit here reflecting on this entry, the song “Jump” by Kriss Kross immediately starts playing in my head. (Yes, I’m definitely aging myself here.)
🎶 “Jump! Jump!” 🎶
Sorry, my mind has a tendency to turn just about everything into a song lyric. Apparently, even hypervigilance comes with a soundtrack.
Honestly, if my life had a playlist, it would probably be equal parts inspirational anthems, old-school hip-hop, and songs that make absolutely no sense in the moment but somehow fit perfectly in my brain.
💬 Reflection Corner
As I continue navigating life with chronic illness, I find myself asking these questions:
- Have you noticed becoming more jumpy or easily startled since developing a chronic illness?
- Do you think stress, your environment, or poor sleep may be contributing?
- What helps your nervous system feel safe and relaxed?
I’d love to hear about your experiences in the comments. Sometimes simply knowing we are not alone can be healing in itself.
Thank you for taking the time to read this entry from The Dual Diagnosis Diaries. Whether you are living with chronic illness, supporting someone who is, or simply seeking understanding, thank you for being here. Together, we will continue navigating these journeys one story at a time.
Founder • Author • Advocate • Future Wellness Coach
Kia Lorice
The Dual Diagnosis Diaries 💜
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