Emotional Flashbacks

[EloiseLandau]

I have a sense of getting my back against the wall and anxiety comes up, and at the same time a rush of sheer anger rises up; it's like a dragon feeding on and at the same time raging at the emotional feelings I have from my things that happened.

Sometimes I feel like hands touched me, or worse things were in me that were forced there and left their marks.

 

[Lucycat]

Does anyone else deal with these types of flashbacks when there is no other part of the memory attached to it?

http://www.pete-walker.com/pdf/emotionalFlashbackManagement.pdf

You might find this helps. I found it explained it all to me perfectly.

 

[Tinyflame]

Dear Lucycat, remember reading the guy's description, fit also- mostly. Describing it, even if not his explanation exactly of 'why'.
And just recall how we all feared we'd end up homeless, yikes. :(

Somewhere I can't figure this out, I will try again, thank you.

 

[Tinyflame]

Well it's accurate, even to 'trust amnesia'.
I guess I brought it on myself, as a kid on. :(

 

[Venusian]

Thank you Lucycat, I did find that article very helpful. I especially like the 13 part flashback management article at the end. I have had all of that advice before, just not in any order or with the short reason to remind yourself why it is so important. Today was a hard day full of this type of flashback, I am going to print out that article and keep it close by.

 

[Tinyflame]

Yes was thinking feel 'funny' about their explanations, never did relate to that 'inner child' concept either.
But since it pretty much hits the nail on the head, would be stupid to not try to apply what he says.

 

[Deleted member 12723]

Hi I get emotional flashbacks. I get the feelings and it gets confused with the present circumstance. Alot of distortions. I have a real hard time sorting thru it all.

The giveaway is when the emotions are way out of proportion to the circumstance. I used to have this alot.

But they have gone away. So I am glad about that. But when in the middle of it I get lost. I just feel overwhelmned. I had forgotten about these.

 

[Tinyflame]

Actually, that article was rather optimistic.

Sometimes it has taken me months to remember or figure out what the trigger could be.

 

[Tinyflame]

I've tried to re-read it, but I think that's my problem, I just can't take in the sheer volume at the present.

 

[Venusian]

((Junebug))), I totally understand, I had to read the article in smaller chunks. I used to be able to read 2 or 3 novels a week and now I can't read 12 pages in one sitting.

 

[Jen93]

I've been having the exact same problem. How do you stop these kind of flashbacks? Emotional Flashbacks and Body memories come on so suddenly, and there is STILL no trigger that I've identified for them. It's nearly impossible to ground against them, or even use the whole CBT thing because they really DO come out of the blue.

 

[Lionheart]

I don't know how to stop those types of flashbacks, tho I've sort of gotten used to them...(if that's even possible). For instance, the past 2 days, I expected to have a full blown anniversary reaction and what occurred is that I felt a deepening sadness that turned to sorrow... I had myself a good crying jag and was able to connect it to the past. Processed it and went along my way.

But when it comes out of the blue and there is no identifiable trigger, it is really frustrating to cope with. I also have not found CBT techniques or grounding techniques to be very useful against emotional flashbacks. The only thing I can think to even say about EFB's is that it serves to remind me that I am a survivor..(if I am in the right frame of mind this makes me feel strong, if not,.....it does the opposite and I get totally depressed and anxious about the next one).

What does help me is to id it as an EFB as soon as possible, then it is not as scary or intimidating.

Sorry, I know this post may not be particularly helpful,
but you are in good company methinks,
:):cool::inlove:
Wishing you Peace,
LH