My boyfriend is really great, and is trying so hard to understand and help me with my anxiety..but he really missed the mark this time. I’m 24, I was raped when I was 20, and was in a very abusive relationship when I was 21. I also was abused a lot as a child. As a result I have very high anxiety and ptsd.

My bf and I were arguing. He didn’t tell me he was taking norcos for his back pain and it made me very uncomfortable because my abusive ex was a drug addict. My anxiety was getting really bad and when I’m at that point just touching me can be a really bad trigger. I stopped arguing and shut myself in the bathroom. I started organizing things under the sink to try to distract myself. He opened the door and tried to comfort me, I told him not to touch me and to get out. He wouldn’t leave and ended up grabbing my arm to try to pull me into a hug. It completely set me off and sent me into a flashback from my abusive ex, I had no bearing on who he was or where I was anymore. I repeatedly screamed ‘STOP STOP STOP’, ripped my arm away and backed against the wall then shoved the door shut with my legs, slamming the door on his arm, still screaming ‘STOP’. He left and let me freak out in the bathroom alone til I calmed down, then profusely apologized and wouldn’t touch me at all until I said it was ok. He said he’d never seen such a terrified face in his entire life. He knew that I was in a flashback and didn’t know it was him anymore. We’re ok now but that was so scary. I’ve never had such a bad episode before.