flashbacks
Has anyone ever had a strategy that works for them when they have a “flashback?”
When I see images in my mind, I also seem to feel the emotion that I felt when it happened. I also never know if it’s a true flashback because I freeze all the time. (could be a trauma response)… what is trauma if you can’t remember it?
If you read this… thank you. Please leave feedback if you want/ can. <3
Mine have varied over the years from intense, I thought I was going to pass out to a brief come and go.
I feel shaky afterwards. I never leave home without earbuds, asmr or soft music in my ear is supremely relaxing.
Afterwards I reassure myself I'm safe, I try to slow down and deepen my breathing. If possible I'll close my eyes.
It's usually not something I can get away from, it can manifest in haunting dreams.
thank u so much. i will keep this in mind.
Once I become aware a flashback is happening, I do a 5-4-3-2-1 grounding exercise. 5 things I can see, 4 hear, 3 feel, 2 smell, 1 taste. A shorter exercise is simply feeling the ground through my feet. Mindfulness meditation has shortened the time to becoming aware from a friend saying, "Hey, come back" to no one but me noticing.
thank so much, i will try this.
@livingthedream26 When I am feeling the ground through my feet, I am saying to myself, "I am here now." and also box breathing in 4, hold 4, out 4, hold 4. It's a lot of work sometimes just to appear 'normal', quite exhausting but as far as I can tell trauma leaves us different than we were before and there is no going back. Best of luck to you!
thanks so much for sharing! i will definitely try this best of luck to you too. we got this :)
