Back in the 1800s, soldiers came up with a phrase — “vent du boulet”, or Wind of the Bullet Syndrome. It described what it felt like to be near a cannonball as it flew by. You didn’t have to get hit to feel shaken — just being close to it was enough. The sound, the force, the fear. They were left stunned, even if they weren’t physically hurt. Today, we’d probably call that PTSD.
You Didn’t Have to Be in a War Zone
But here’s the thing — you don’t need to have fought in a war to know what that feels like.
If you grew up in a tense or unpredictable home, you might recognise this too. Maybe no one ever touched you, but the fear was still there. The shouting, the sudden mood swings, the quiet that felt too loud. You didn’t know what would set things off, so you were always on edge — bracing for something, even if it didn’t come.
How the Body Remembers
That’s your version of Wind of the Bullet Syndrome.
It’s that tight feeling in your chest when someone raises their voice. It’s jumping when a door slams. It’s the way you try to avoid conflict at all costs, or how your body just shuts down when things get overwhelming. You learned to scan the room. You read people’s tone, their body language. You figured out how to stay small, stay invisible, stay safe.
Still Living in Survival Mode
And now, as an adult, you still carry that. Maybe you don’t know why certain things set you off — why you freeze, get anxious, or feel exhausted after emotional conversations. It’s because your body still remembers what it was like to live in survival mode.
Naming It Is Part of the Healing
You didn’t imagine it. You’re not too sensitive. Just because no one “hit” you doesn’t mean you weren’t hurt.
There’s power in naming this. There’s relief in knowing that what you’re feeling has a reason. And there’s healing in understanding that you don’t have to live in that space forever.
Reviewed April 2025. Always consult a professional for individual guidance.
Peter Grewe Opticians Goodwood
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