There’s good reason why I often mention preferring the quiet setting of an online bridge game to the busier environment of a tournament or club.

While physical disability is one reason why I don’t travel to events as much as I used to, there are other reasons why the online playing environment is far more attractive to play in.

Post-traumatic stress.

I could write several books about the reasons it got there.

For the post, let’s just say that traumatic and violent events can leave their imprints. When they do, PTSD is what the resulting condition is called.

Here’s a brief glimpse into playing bridge with post-traumatic stress.

What PTSD Does

While each person can react to trauma in different ways, I can report that I underwent an avalanche of different things (and all at the same time).

I was convinced that I was unaffected, but I can say that this was very typical denial. Anxiety spikes, nightmares, and general irritability were just some of the initial symptoms that crept into the mix.

Traumatic events cause a change that you might not even notice at first.

If you do (or someone mentions it), my first recommendations are simple: seek out resources, and see your doctor.

1. I don’t enjoy loud noises (or busy environments).

I’ve learned to cope better in loud and busy environments, but this doesn’t mean that I particularly enjoy dealing with them.

Sudden, explosive noises can set off sudden and explosive reactions – and unfortunately, that’s something I can attribute to several bad experiences over a long time. It took experience to reach a calmer point.

Online bridge is as quiet as I’d like it to be.

2. I can play bots on very bad days.

I think almost anyone with diagnosed PTSD or anxiety can say that some days just aren’t good ones for dealing with people.

Sometimes, I wake up with a mixture of irritability, nausea, and stomach pain. The first one is related to PTSD, and the rest I can blame on other physical conditions. These are bad days, and these days I keep serious game interaction to a minimum.

Are you having a rough day, but still want to take the edge off with a bridge game?

Bots are practically made for this.

3. How triggers happen (and how days go south).

One bad experience in the morning can set an entire day going south. When you have PTSD, extreme irritability and anxiety are some of the heaviest initial symptoms to deal with.

For someone with PTSD, these are what’s called triggers.

A person makes a bad joke, or you see, hear, or smell something that reminds you of a previous bad experience. The trigger kicks in, the anxiety fires up, and your day feels like it’s completely screwed.

How does anyone deal with this aspect of PTSD?

Coping mechanisms. These are the little things you’ll find in each day to brighten it up, or pull you through. Listen to a song that helps, remember a couple of maxims, or take a time-out for a bot-driven game of cards.

Not Coping?

Not coping with the symptoms of trauma, anxiety, or depression?

The good news is that these conditions can be diagnosed and managed, but with the help of treatment. Seek local resources, and speak to a medical professional about your symptoms. Seek help, it helps.