Flashbacks overlapping

[rosey]

Having a spell of flashbacks that are out of my league.
The only way I can think to describe them is like an old camera where roll-on has been forgotten and so when printed out the images all overlap.
I am having one flashback on top of another sometimes as many as three or four layering up.
They have been getting the better of me throwing up, unable to move. I feel completely controlled by them.
Have had bad bouts of continual flashbacks but never continual and overlapping like this.
Has anyone else experienced this?

 

[Friday]

Yep. It’s part of my normal schtick, as my brain is making connections between events in different times/places/years.

There’s almost always a theme to them, when they start overlapping. Sometimes it’s as blatant as a lead brick (yay, more transitions went badly, f*ck you too brain), other times the theme is harder to tease out, seemingly completely unrelated events... but once I find it the flashbacks tend to calm down.

 

[rosey]

Thanks, sorry you suffer this. I will try to find the common thread in hope that the flashbacks do one. PTSD always seems to be a few step ahead of me.

 

[Deleted member 37474]

This is what happens in emdr. You focus on one bad event and your brain jumps around to other things with a similar theme. Themes such as shame, control, humiliation, fear. (At least in emdr, there is a therapist there to help you) I have also had this happen with flashbacks. What is really annoying is when they connect as emotional flashbacks. One of my “abandonment” themes drug me into the feelings that I had pushed back for years about the death of a favorite Teacher. This also drew me into a really bad break up and emotional control issues with another boyfriend and stuff with my rape situation. It was lots of fun. ;)

Good luck! Hoping the emdr will squash and refile all of this in my brain.

 

[Sideways]

Is this still happening?

My go to is writing it down. Pretty much anything that decides it wants to play over in my head, for me? Writing it down help break the cycle.

 

[rosey]

not happening constantly now thank goodness but yes still at least daily. Thanks for the suggestion I will give it a good go.

 

[Sideways]

If the physical illness that you’re getting with the flashbacks is persisting, take extra care. Lots of hydration, and simple stuff like if you sit down to write make the space you’re in feel comfortable and safe, and maybe have some kind of soothing distraction or activity ready to do when you finish writing it out.

Whatever you do, listen to your body. If you’re body is making you vomit and immobile from what your head is playing? Sometimes it’s best to spend some time treating yourself like you would any other person who is unwell - rest, nutrition and water, and soothing.

 

[rosey]

Is this still happening?

My go to is writing it down. Pretty much anything that decides it wan...

yes still happening but not constant now so more manageable. I have taken to writing what i can of it down which appears to be helping a little. Thank you for the kind words and support.