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My first flashback in front of someone

  • Post starter Post starter Divuse
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Divuse

Hi. Any flashbacks I have have always been in private. I had nothing trigger them in public. My trauma is related to a woman I loved and risked everything for. Since she hasn't been in my life for year's I never really processed my feelings for her.

Anyway, I was at a tram stop having a coffee. I wasn't thinking about anything. I was just watching the time for going to work. A lady came and sat two feet away from me also waiting for the tram. I didn't pay her any attention but a little while later I did notice that she had great legs. It was just a passing thought though. I was leaning forward so I hadn't seen the rest of her.

Then she turned around and looked at me. I looked back. I Thought "Huh. She looks like my old love. She's younger with different eyebrows but just as beautiful." Then I thought ( or said...I dunno ) "I went to war for a woman like that." Then I went into a series of the most intense flashbacks I've ever had. I know the fighting, the combat, the fear, the horror, the love, everything went across my face. I went through waves and waves of intense emotions, reliving everything that happened to me in what seemed like an age.

It was more like a series of flashbacks so there were lulls so I was able to ruminate on their weight to me in the lulls between flashing back. So I was swaying between having one foot in the present and one in the past. It was like being being snapped like a rubber band back to the past in quick flashes. I was still peripherally aware of the woman although we were now facing each other unknown to me at the time.

When I came out of the flashback I shook my head thinking ( or saying ) "God will judge me for the things I've done. It's mad this all started over love." Then I looked at the woman unfocused thinking "I'm too traumatised for women."

It was only then I actually focused and looked at the woman since entering the flashback. She had turned around early in the flashback ( because she was facing me even though we were sitting side by side ) and seen the whole thing. She was facing me, her knees towards me, looking relaxed but with her chin down and an intense unblinking stare as she stared at nothing but my eyes. Her mouth was set seriously. I just kind of looked at her hair and her face and thought that she was beautiful.

Then I completely snapped out it and realised I didn't know her, I didn't want to make her uncomfortable ( although she didn't look uncomfortable ). I felt embarrassed that she had seen me like that and was worried I'd said something or done something and she thought me mad. I made the uncomfortable, apologetic, it's ok...I'll look away now gesture. She kept staring intensely at me through all my trying to make her comfortable and didn't look away until I did

I've looked up people witnessing flashbacks and couldn't find any first hand accounts. I mean, I did feel a connection with this woman because she saw things in my face that I've only ever displayed in private and she was so beautiful and so like my old love that I'd like to think she didn't think I was a weirdo. Has anyone ever experienced flashbacks in public before?
 
Not in public, but in front of my t.

Yes me too. But it was the first time I’d had a flashback. Still getting my head around them but I’m relieved it was a relatively safe place. It was becoming a regular thing so we’ve backed off whatever the hell was triggering them.
 
You mean in therapy?

Yes. Most of the time I don’t know the triggers nor do I remember the flashback. So it’s a bit awkward. Just lose time and drained and exhausted afterwards.
 
Has your t discussed dissociation with you?

Yes. I think she was gently hinting at it for about 6 months. But I remember reacting very defensively any time she asked where I went. Until I suddenly realised I had big blanks in session. Totally freaked me out as I pride myself on my memory and being a high achiever. Still struggling with this stuff.
 
I understand, that can be freaky. There’s likely a part of you that still remembers everything, even if you can’t access it right now. Have you done any parts work?
 
I understand, that can be freaky. There’s likely a part of you that still remembers everything, even if you can’t ac...

No. We are focussing on stabilisation for a bit. Maybe 6-12 months my t said after the last major derailment. Just dealing with week to week stressors as I have a lot going on that I’m not coping with as well as I normally would. Or maybe I never have and I’m just kidding myself ;) It’s so hard to get my head around. Kinda realising my parents are never going to give me what I need so some painful grieving happening there too. Thank you for caring enough to respond. It means a lot.
 
When I worked on things I had to stop trauma work and focus on stabilizing and grounding for awhile before I could move forward with the trauma.

It can be a difficult process, but it sounds like your t is doing a good job and is aware. Hang in there, you can get through it and it will make your life better when you get the past things worked through and grieved.

Glad I could be of some support, it helps to not be alone in working through things. We’re all here for you.
 
This is the OP. What I find most worrisome is that when it comes to women, like everyone else, I have a type. It's not going to be very good for my love life if I have flashbacks every time I see a woman whom I find to be beautiful. I felt like the tram woman expected me to say something, but I couldn't think of anything to say after she had seen me stare into the gates of hell. It's left me feeling very vulnerable and the last thing I need on top of that is to look unbalanced around women who bring forth an emotional response from me.
 
I think maybe it would be best to work through the issues and then face if it still comes up when you feel ready for a relationship again.

Trauma can cause people to lose attraction for that sex completely.
 
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