Thoughtful Thursday: Flashbacks
Understanding Flashbacks
A flashback is when you involuntarily re-experience an event from the past. Flashbacks can sometimes be so intense it feels like the individual is reliving the experience. It can bring back a lot of emotions associated with the original event.
Flashbacks are associated with PTSD.
Flashbacks have various triggers which can be difficult to identify. It can be a reminder of the event, general stressors, or even some sensory feeling.
In response to traumatic events, individuals might be urged to dissociate to disconnect from the overwhelming emotions.
Grounding techniques can help bring an individual back to the present. They help reattach self to the present moment (“here and now”) by gaining awareness of the environment you are in. A well known grounding technique is 5-4-3-2-1.
Flashbacks tend to be a sign that some traumatic event is breaking into consciousness. They seek expression in order to process the underlying emotions the individual attaches to them. By expressing it in adaptive ways in contrast to avoiding them, it helps to deal with these emotions. Expression can be through writing, talking, art, etc.
Mindfulness exercises and visualization are a few more techniques that tend to help. What’s important is finding something that best suits you.
Questions
Q1. Do you get flashbacks? How do you deal with them?
Q2. Any other thoughts about the topic?
References
Healthy Place. (2013, January 22). Flashbacks and Intrusive Memories: When BPD Meets PTSD. https://www.healthyplace.com/blogs/borderline/2013/01/flashbacks-and-intrusive-memories-when-bpd-meets-ptsd
PTSD UK. (n.d.). Understanding PTSD Flashbacks and Triggers. https://www.ptsduk.org/what-is-ptsd/understanding-ptsd-flashbacks-and-triggers/
@Adeline12345 @ahhhhelpimalive @AlfAndthemachine @alleywood13 @Alwaysinpyjamas @ambitiousVase1322 @amicableDime9946 @arbanon @ARC80 @AutumnLauren6 @autumnthemoth @Avocado22 @azuladragon34 @b4Damion @berrymimi @bestcase @caringPerspective41 @CheerySandi @ChristmasGift @crang17 @cyanPlatypus6370 @dagaz13th @DamagedOne13 @dberryy @diamondintheROUGH2022 @DoggoMom @ebonyyyblondie89 @EddaLayla @emerijourney @EmotionalNerd @Everythingisbetterinyourpyjamas @fireyseastar97 @FloweringBunny @forcefulFriend4768 @Goldcherry2113 @GrahZeymahzin @GRAPSPRO2033 @GreenScarab @Hadeel96 @HashiramaNinja @heartycitrus @Hyacinth22 @ImaginativePenny152 @imclover @indigoCup1959 @intelligentWheel627 @Irishrose78 @itsmeow @Jish07541 @JoniGirl @K87 @kindTurtle3738 @LadyNikita @LavenderFlower @Lemino @LightsFromDark @LiliTwolsky @limeRaspberries2286 @lovelyWords13 @LoveTracker @maple23 @MeeshyRB @MelG919 @missg @Mkmultra @munchiegoosie @nervoussmiles @Nubia87 @OneErased @optimisticMagic0014 @OrangePeel24 @Oxymoron6demon @passionateJackfruit5095 @Piggy @placidShade4261 @Pointlesswords @QueenBee03 @QuietMagic @racqueldawn @raininglillies13 @Red789 @RelaxedPanda @RemorseCode2 @Rex0911 @selfdisciplinedBunny232 @ShyCat1678201 @spectacularCandy9984 @Stardew3 @Starilus @StrangeKat @sunflower2480 @Tamy4210 @Tatianaalize @toucans @Triscups @uniqueRose1689 @versatilePomegranate60 @WalkingCrow @Xe @YourCaringConfidant
Hi @sereneButton43 , thank you so much for posting about this. I don't experience flashbacks but more memories that make me feel sad. Those are memories of my childhood when my parents were fighting and were on the verge of separating. I guess that was a very traumatic event for me that I never really fully expressed. There were others as well but yeah, I would just notice myself staring into nothingness and full of sadness whenever those memories pop up in my head.
@crang17 some experiences leave a strong impression and stay with us for a long time. Hope you're able to gradually process the sadness you feel from the memory :)
Flash backs are your mind putting you in prison I dread having them!! I dtart to feel overwhelmed with fear sadness anger and guilt over take my body I get lost in topic in a daze and confused sometimes then shut down sometimes I explode how I have to deal with them is by removing my self from what ever minding right then and taken space put on music really loud sometimes I read a book in my fuzzy blankets other times I take a shower recently I learned that looking at pictures from the now brings me back to the present coloring also has been a coping mechanism I've been using lately I buy some funny inappropriate coloring books that make me laugh and lose track of the problem at hand!!! Hope every one has a great day thanks for being here
[Edited by QuietMagic 2/17/22 to remove large # of blank lines]
@diamondintheROUGH2022 I can't imagine how difficult having those flashbacks are. Glad to hear that you have good coping mechanisms in place. I hope you have a great day too :)
