Flashbacks?!
Question:
Flashbacks?
Hi.
I went through a traumatic event when i was younger. my counsellor asks do i get flashbacks but i am not sure if they are or they aren't. Sometimes its as though i see it happening again but that i am the onlooker, other times i get a feeling when i think about it that makes my body jump and turn away really quickly as though i am about to get it...are these flashbacks or just painful memories??
Answers:
I would say that you are getting flashbacks and they are not very pleasant to experience. When they are happening or if you can feel them beginning to happen then you need to keep yourself in touch with reality/the present. i.e. hold something in your hand that you know is from the here and now, look around your room saying what you can see while they are happening. You need to keep reminding yourself that they did happen and they are not happening now.
They are very painful to experience and they are not easy to control, but they can be in time. Eventually they will fade out as you deal with the source. I am going through PTSD now with a trauma that happen 2yrs 8 mths ago and a trauma from my childhood and I do understand how difficult and upsetting the flashbacks are.
If you want to chat more just email me through my profile I don't mind.
:-)))