Flash Backs Changing??

[ScruffMcBuff]

First of all, an apology for my lack of input to the forum.I find alot of help from reading others experiences.

I wonder if any one else has experienced flashbacks changing? I used to all ways have the same flashback, exactly the same every time. But my last one I had was completely different, I'm not sure I could say what it is as I don't wish to distress anyone. But I wondered if anyone else had a similar experience, or even what this is all about?!

 

[FindingMyself88]

I'm not sure if this applies, but I do seem to have "seasons" of different flashbacks, depending on what trauma is bothering me most. Like I always have flashbacks that are triggered by any violence or fighting/slamming doors/yelling/etc. However I never dealt with flashbacks about my sexual molestations and rape until I went into the psych unit for a suicide attack and was hit on by multiple men. Then for weeks afterwards I had severe flashbacks that were triggered by the slightest thing (an unknown male staring at me would do it). Now these are starting to be less intense or often, and I am having more flashbacks about my physical abuse.

Hope this makes sense...

 

[arfie]

It happened to me ALLOT. My flashbacks are (were?) linked to severe memory loss. More than one memory lost. In the same manner that one nostalgic memory leads to another, so it is for traumatic memory. Additionally, I lost allot of useful memories in the mindslides of the traumatic memories and caused flashbacks of trauma I had resolved, just ever so slightly expanded to retrieve the useful memories.

So it seemed for me. Alas, none of it has physical proof, beyond the fact that I am functioning better these days.

Gentle support while you figure out what it is for you.

 

[ScruffMcBuff]

It scares me slightly as it leaves me feeling exposed. Like, whats coming next?!?

Thanks for your reply though its made me feel alot more "normal" about my symptoms!

 

[RedLuna]

I see what you mean I understand, becuase I to have flashbacks that change even though I know how it went I still get ones that change but are the same sometimes. So I understand what you mean sometimes they suck to.

 

[NovemberStar]

Yes - new memories / scenario's as well as new types of experience - especially when it comes to dissociation. It's like my mind is always finding 'new' ways to 'cope' with the fear and trauma. Now I realize, it's just my memories of different dissociation - they aren't 'new' experiences, but rather they feel 'new' because I don't recall having experienced those type before.

I have found over the past few weeks I am more 'tolerant' to how my mind does this - I guess I've had to 'accept' and 'trust' that the very same mind that was so creative in getting me to survive the abuse and trauma over many years IS the same mind that is now trying to do the same.

I find it helps to remind myself "my mind is there to protect me, not harm me". I find it helps me to 'become an observer' when I feel or experience something new, flashback or dissociation wise - I 'stand back' from what is happening and try to 'observe' rather than 'get lost' in it. That helps reduce a lot of the fear. I write down what is happening and what I am experiencing, as it happens. That also helps me feel I have some 'control' over it too.

 

[ScruffMcBuff]

I have recently started writing alot of things down, I've found it works for me too.

Its comforting to see I'm not the only person in this situation and others have got through it.