Flashbacks During Class

[LostBear325]

I am currently in school for Culinary Arts, and I love what I am doing. Cooking is my passion. I am having some issues with my flashbacks in school though. They always seem to pop up at the most inconvenient time. Especially when I am in a kitchen lab and I only have 3 hours to prepare an entire menu and while I am in the middle of chopping something I will have a flashback. I have cut my hands and burned myself multiple times due to this problem. I also slipped in to a flashback during a presentation I was giving in one of my lab classes which severely affected my grade.

Is there anything I can do to make it so that my flashbacks slow down or how to fight them? I have been trying to be more aware, and try to figure out what my triggers are but I just can't.

 

[Hashi]

I'm sorry you're experiencing this.

I have quite an alternative approach, and I know this is not for everyone but it works for me and my heart aches for people who have flashbacks. So, even if you might think I'm odd, I wanted to share it with you so the information is there and you can take it or leave it.

I've done a lot of visualisation (imagining something over and over again until it has an effect on the subconscious) to stop flashbacks. I imagine things like light burning up the scary thoughts and memories, and having a personal bodyguard who keeps the flashbacks/memories away from me and sends them packing before they can reach me. At the same time I reassure my subconscious that if it has something it needs to tell me I'll listen in other ways - like journalling about thoughts and memories, and keeping a dream diary.

It's worked for me. It takes discipline - at first I had to visualise this every single day - but for me, it was worth doing anything to stop flashbacks.

Even if this isn't your sort of thing, I hope that you get other replies with things that help you. Flashbacks are awful, and I hope you find a way through this.

 

[LostBear325]

Hashi - Thank you for your response and advice. I actually really love your idea and think I might try it. I have tried so many things to try and help my flashbacks I really hope this works.

 

[PerfectlyFlawed]

Hi there,

I agree with the posts above. Journaling is a great way to figure out thought patterns and may lead to some clues as to what the possible trigger is causing your flashbacks. Deep breathing always helps me, it calms the stress response down within seconds. (This may sound silly) I also imagine placing the scary things in a container with a tight lid. That way you are telling your mind to deal with them later. It makes the scary intrusive thoughts less scary, when they can be controlled.

Hope things get better for you.

-PerfectlyFlawed.

 

[Eleanor]

You might also try positive visualization of the "performance" you are about to undertake. Walk yourself through the whole thing being present and energized but relaxed. Like athletes do before a big competition. As flashbacks are "caused" by stress - it stands to reason that anything that reduces stress should help - if only incrementally. Go get 'em!