Flashbacks.

[anndeb]

My inner child is also a very scared, sad and lonely one. Especially scared to assert herself for fears of being punished all over again, tho her abuser is long gone. The patterns live on in her even yet and i struggle to reassure her that others will not respond to me as she did, that they are different people from her. But 'little ann' doubts so severely it is difficult for me to change often. only with lots of help from friends and practice, practice can i begin to overcome. One little step at a time, one day at a time. Good luck Kat.:affection::wave:

 

[Becca]

Hi!
I am not sure if flashbacks go away but with time, sometimes they can not be so traumatic. Just be kind to yourself, be patient with yourself.

 

[KAT]

I'll try Thank you guys.:)

 

[Lucycat]

I have had very few flashbacks but I had one at the weekend.

This was different. I instantly recognised it for what it was, and typically it was over in a 'flash'. Sure it left me reeling, shaking and feeling really bad but it did not make me panic. I tried to use my 'safe place' but just couln't get hold of the image so I took another quetiapine so that it did not 'take hold' of me. I was able to think about it and analyse it quite rationally over the following few hours.

So, certainly for me, knowing and recognising a flashback has given them less power to hurt me.

 

[anndeb]

So sorry about your flashback, Brucielucy. So glad you were able to get on top of it so quickly. Mine come fewer now too, they used to be nightly and I could only sleep with medication. I was so afraid to go to sleep for fear of them. Yet if I didn't sleep my bi-polar mania was at risk of coming into play. I am so grateful for that medication and for the diminishing occurrance of flashbacks. I try to distract myself immediately if I feel one coming on now. Get my mind off of it as soon as possible.

I also seem to be more knowledgeable about myself and whan will trigger me, such as images in movies or on tv that are violent or intrusive. I avoid them. Too bad if people laugh at me and my closed eyes. My sanity is worth it.