Sexual Assault Flashbacks

[buettner1975]

I was experiencing flashbacks of my trauma ( rape, being held against my will, beat, drug needles forced into my arms ) about once a week. They have increased to almost daily now. During the flashbacks I feel stunned and frozen; seeing the trauma before my eyes. My coping strategies have been to scratch on my body to stop the sensations. Once the flashbacks start to subside I am able to cope better; but its the effect of being frozen that stops me from coping during the flashbacks.

The trauma occurred about 12 years ago....why am I dealing with the flashbacks now? It worries and bothers me. The flashbacks occur without triggers. What can I do

 

[recoveringfromptsd]

I am sorry to hear about your flashbacks, but I can tell you from my own experience that they can occur without triggers I believe the term they use is INTRUSIVE FLASHBACKS or THOUGHTS. Mine were so bad I had to be hospitalized at Sheppard Pratt on their Trauma Disorders Unit. I learned a lot there one of the most basic thing is grounding (bringing yourself back to the present when you brain goes back into trauma time), something I use a lot is FROZEN ORANGES. I keep a supply of them in Freezer and use them any time I get triggered or have intrusive stuff. They work wonders and the effect is immediate. I have to warn you that you won't be able to hold on to them very long, you will have to switch hands, but that is the point, your brain is busy with the cold of the oranges that it can't be in trauma time.

 

[minirini]

It's entirely possible to have delayed PTSD. That's what happened to me--I got raped, but I didn't have flashbacks until 3 years later. I don't know why things popped up now, instead of earlier. It's possible that an emotional state related to your assault triggered it, instead of a specific object, event, or person.

I'm sorry you're having so many flashbacks. That's awful. I get frozen too, and I understand why you'd scratch yourself to bring yourself back. However, scratching is self-harm, and that's not a very good way of coping with things. What I've found helpful when I'm stuck and frozen is to recite facts about where I am and who I am. Another thing that also works for me is to find something in my environment that was not there when I was assaulted. It brings the rational, conscious brain back online.

Another tip is to hold something extremely tactile in your hand before you get to the point where you're immobilized. I've used a toy hedgehog, a knit wrap, and a friendship bracelet to help ground myself. A frozen orange works great too, although I don't know if you can really carry it around for emergencies. A small vial of your favorite essential oil could also help you remember where you are.

 

[recoveringfromptsd]

It's entirely possible to have delayed PTSD

I agree, same with me, I did not start having flashbacks until around 1990, then they went away and came back in 2016 when I was triggered in PHP. They have not gone away this time.