Can Emotional Flashbacks Cause New Injury?

[RussH]

I am asking this question because my last flashback was by far my worst, and I just can seem to get past the anxiety and emotional upheaval. So, all this got me to thinking about whether or not an emotional flashback can cause new injury, or cause new symptoms to show up; does anyone know?

 

[SwordsPandaGirl]

I don't know if this helps in the slightest but since I had my last flashback, I'm scared of my room (as well as sleeping). I didn't get much sleep to begin with but it is much worse. So I guess it could cause other problems? lol

 

[RussH]

I'm scared of my room (as well as sleeping).

Did your latest flashback happen in your room? I know that I get anxious when I think about going back to the location where my last flashback happened.

 

[SwordsPandaGirl]

Not my room, but yes another bedroom and mine at the moment reminds me of it.

 

[RussH]

Not my room, but yes another bedroom and mine at the moment reminds me of it.

Can you rearrange the funiture in the bedroom to lessen the simlarity?

 

[SwordsPandaGirl]

I have already done that, it didn't work :( What new symptoms have you developed? If you don't mind me asking.

 

[RussH]

In the past when I had a flashback I would be anxious for a few days and my emotions would be very surface,but after a few days I would calm down. With this last flashback it was the worst one I have ever had, and it was a rolling flashback over several days. I think for the first time I experienced the full brunt of the trauma since the original insult.This was over a month ago.

(The original trauma, years of being bullied, cause me to break, to shatter, and a part of me seem to die.)

Now, when I go to work( my flashback happened at work) I feel anxious and I am having some hyperviglance. There are times I feel like I am in a fog, and this is new for me. I know that I am afraid of another flashback like the one I just suffered; I am not sure I would survive it emotionally, hence the reason for the original post.

I am sorry rearranging the bed room didn't help; when is the last time it was repainted?

 

[SwordsPandaGirl]

I am at university at the moment, so I can't do much with the room apart from rearrange it. I have had rolling flashbacks, they are the worst. I am sorry that you are having them as I know how horrible the experiences can be, also about the bullying, no one deserves to be bullied. Is there anything that is triggering these flashbacks at work? Maybe if you could figure out what it is, then you could avoid it? My T said that if you try to suppress your memories they will just make the flashbacks worse as it is your mind telling you, you are ready to cope with the trauma. Saying that though, I do no like having my memories and still try to stop them but I guess its a case of, do what I say and not as I do lol.

 

[RussH]

@Swordmistress As far as what triggered the flashback; my co-workers did something that stimulated the trigger. Although the meant nothing by it; it still caused me to feel rejected, and rejection is one of my triggers. I am planning on avoiding a situation that will cause that to happen again.

As far as the bullying; you are right, no one deserves that. It was horrible, and went on forever. When I finally broke under the pressure of it, I completely shattered. I often wonder how I survived it, and then I realize a part of me did not. I wonder if the anguish, I experience with my flashback, grief, is me mouring that part of me that I lost.

Oh well it is what it is, and I can't go back and change it. Thanks for your reading and responding to my post. And thank you for your empathy. It is appreciated.

 

[SwordsPandaGirl]

You're very welcome RussH :) I'm glad that the bullying has stopped. Are you seeing a therapist? They will be able to help you with this, especially if you find one you trust. You may not be able to go back and change it but you always are in control of your future :) xxx

 

[The Albatross]

My inclination is no to the question, but I have next to nothing to base it on. The injury is the injury, over the years my self protection mechanisms have sort of broken down. I don't think my brain "thinks" I need them as much anymore. At least that's what I tell myself unless or until I have evidence to the contrary.

 

[franciemarnie]

I vote no. Your body and mind are trying to process what happened once upon a time.

At least for me, with a flashback, I am fully experiencing what once happened, but which was subsequently buried. I never was able to do the follow thru of releasing the trauma energy then. Now I can.

It is awful, but it is an opportunity too, and I hope your therapist is able to help you release and come out the other side so you don't have to keep going thru this hell.