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Got My First Flashback Surrounding Christmas

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therisa

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Find myself, ashamed to write this, about the relationship, I had with my younger brother, especially, around Christmas Time, but I need to release these toxic feelings, which have accumulated over the first three decades of my life, with him. On December 16th (Monday night), I had a montage of flashbacks dating from Christmas 1982 to 2003, which lasted about an hour. The first time, I have relived this part of my life, in such vivid detail. Previous flashbacks concerning him have been, mostly from the summer of 1985, when he brutally beat up, both mom and I, as dad was hospitalized for his heart attack and complications afterwards.

During this latest series of flashbacks, no direct violence was ever done to me, the threat of violence hung around me, by him, expressed through his body language and threatening actions. During the Christmas of 2001 or 2002, I feared for my life, after his explosive reaction, to getting a gift card from a music store chain which I know, he frequents. I had to fight my impulse to ask mom, to drive me, back home, at that very moment. Meaning, we had a four hour drive through country roads, which experience very severe white-out conditions, in the winter, during a snowstorm.

The other flashbacks were, of a similar nature, but the level of threatening violence, from him, is much lower against me. His reacted violently, to getting a Christmas gift, which he felt was insulting, or wasn’t the exact thing, which he asked for, as the case, in 1990, when I got him, a t-shirt from my university, as a gift. I have never seen such distain or resentment to me, until his reaction to the gift card, I gave him.

I never told my parents, about these feeling of mine, toward him. Fearing, it would make the situation worse, for me and my parents. And they did nothing to correct his destructive behaviour, as a child or as an adult.

Since 2004, I haven’t been home for the holidays, either, because of the threat of bad weather conditions or the fact; he would be there, at mom’s house, which I told her, in August 2007, I wouldn’t step foot, into her house. I feel like, I am being punished for his actions, even though, I am, the innocent party, here. A point made moot, as I have broken off, all relationship with mom, in October 2012.
 
Oh Therisa, if I could have you over for the holidays I would- it'd be nice to share cookies and cocoa with such a kind hearted person. I can relate all too well to the gifts setting off absurd, inappropriate bursts of rage. You put so much care and thought into what someone might enjoy, and then they explode into frothing lava monsters of angry yuck.

My ex husband's annual tantrums (they spanned from his birthday near the end of November to a grand meltdown on Christmas, every darn year) still have me pretty tense, years later. I 'know' no one will shout about me ruining Christmas by buying the wrong gift anymore, but I'm nearly paralysed with indecision. I feel bad, standing there in a store looking at shelves full of lovely things and wondering which one to wrap up so I'm not an awful person. My family has no clue of this. They just know that I'll always find the exactly right favorite whatever. I feel like some ancient witchdoctor trying to find the right offerings to appease angry, vengeful spirits- if I don't place the precisely right offering on this altar, my tribe will suffer.
 
I'm sorry you had those flashbacks. I don't like them at all. It's bad enuf we had to go thru this stuff in the first place. Then we've got to re-experience it? What was the Universe thinking?

And Im sorry you feel the shame your brother should feel. You did nothing wrong. It's a bizarre but familiar system.

I hope you are doing okay today.
 
Thank you, very much, @Spiderallis , for your very kind and generous offer. I will accept a cyberhug from you, instead. :happy:I hope your family Christmas is tranquil and restorative for you. Myself, I plan to do nothing, except enjoy the company of Squeak, Venus and Star.

Thank you, @franciemarnie , I know he will never experience anything close to shame, as he view the universe, as it owes him, for living. As for myself, am doing ok, just have some minor anxiety, at the moment.
 
This makes me think oh eternally glad I am that we helped my son get his temper under control at a young age. It took years, but I don't think I will hear stories like yours, because of the care we took. I so hate it when people just say, "well that is just how so and so is" or "that's the way I am, deal with it". It makes me so angry. There is no excuse for his behavior, ever!

I am so sorry you have had to go through any of this and that it continues to effect your life. You never deserved that behavior. You don't deserve it now.

I will be thinking of you at Christmas, wishing you could join us or Spiderallis, or anyone for a meal or just companionship.
 
So sorry for what you went through long ago and just this last Monday :( Have you been able to talk with your T about it yet? I hope you have someone you can talk to personally, who can hold your hand a little bit or give you a healing hug. Please be real kind to yourself, perhaps cuddle up with a blanket and watch a heartwarming or funny movie to sort of put a layer of nice over the bad - take care of yourself Therisa. You deserve kindness and respect.

Drew
 
Thank you, @Britt.f7 . I wish my parents were, as progressive as you and your husband were, towards my brother. Maybe, some of the violence, I have existed, would never happened. But, engaging in, "what if", is wasted energy, as violence did happened and am paying the price, for it.

Thank you, @DMerish , I talked with my social worker, this morning about it and she concern about my plans for the holidays, given my past history of suicide attempts, during this period of time. I told her, if I could sleep from Christmas Eve until January 2nd, I would. Seriously, I plan a very quiet holiday season, avoiding the madness that surrounds the next 12 days.
 
Well, I don't have to visit or have family visiting me, Drew, which removes a headache for me. Besides, I got a few gifts for close friends that I can give to them, in the New Year. Here's hoping, your holiday period is stress-free and trigger-free, as possible, @DMerish .
 
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