Flasbacks

[claire east]

Hi I need help having really bad flashbacks and to top it all my eating disorder is getting worse feel so lost

 

[Lucycat]

What have you tried to help with the flashbacks? Grounding techniques can be very helpful as can distraction. I am hoping you are in therapy - it depends where along your recovery journey you are as to what is the best option. Flashbacks are really scary, but you need to train your brain/mind to acknowledge that they are not real and then you can learn to kick them into touch. I am not sure they ever completely go away, but I find them much easier to manage these days.

 

[claire east]

What have you tried to help with the flashbacks? Grounding techniques can be very helpful as can distract...

I was taught this in therapy but the only thing I found to manage this is I used to run 10 miles a day seven days aweek until I felt physically nackerd and had to keep stopping as flashbacks happens whilst out running but can't do that no more if anyone knew my story they probably relize I don't think what I'm going through is a catalogue of many things that all lead to this

 

[Lucycat]

I was taught this in therapy but the only thing I found to manage this is I used to run 10 miles

With all of the techniques they need rehearsing and repeated practice. Even when you are not in a flashback you need to remind yourself of grounding so that it becomes second nature and you don't have to think about how to do it.

Have you tried EMDR? I found that very helpful and was available to me by my NHS therapist. I had numerous sessions and even today if I phoned T and said something new had triggered me, he would be here with his headphones to tackle it through EMDR within the next few days.

 

[claire east]

With all of the techniques they need rehearsing and repeated practice. Even when you are not in a flashba...

Haven't tried that what is it

 

[Lucycat]

Haven't tried that

I am guessing you are meaning EMDR rather than the quoted passage?

Dead Link Removedif you go to this external link it is the EMDR Association of the UK.- you should find more info there.

For threads on this forum, if you go into the 'therapy' section you can do a search and there are loads with EMDR in the title from people with a wide range of experiences.

 

[Sideways]

I haven't had the chance to try EMDR, but I've heard good things from people who have.

I did have a lot of success from Re-Scripting, which sounds too dumb to work! It's where your therapist walks you through the flashbacks to re-write new endings. I know, stupid!? If someone offers it, it's worth a try, because it really helped me get mine under control.

And I totally support the Grounding suggestion. It takes practice, and you need to find a version that works for you, but it's always my go-to for "right now" relief.

Try and be gentle with yourself. Whatever remedy ultimately works for you, flashbacks are a really tough gig when they take over (which is putting it mildly!).