How Would You Describe A Flashback?

[Mafia_Science]

Today was my first therapy session. My dad had to sit in for the first session, so I didn't really feel comfortable talking about flashbacks and traumatic events and things of the such. We were talking about symptoms and somehow we started talking about flashbacks and he thinks I probably don't have them (which I do), since I probably would've already told him if I did. Next time, when my dad isn't there, I want to tell him about my flashbacks. The problem is I don't exactly know how to describe it. I know I can say it's like it's happening now, but I know it's not, or it's like a movie of the event going in my head, but I want a better way of saying it just in case he doesn't get it

 

[Friday]

I would suggest you start from right there; explain that you didn't feel comfortable talking about flashbacks in front of your father, and that you don't really know how to best describe them.

Keep in mind, not everyone has flashbacks, as well as people often experience things very differently (visually, aurally, emotionally, etc.), and that other things (like intrusive thoughts, intrusive memories, disassociation, etc.) can be far more debilitating for many people as well as have different fixes which help them.

As a case in point, asking me to name 5 blue things if I'm getting lost in the past? (Which is one form of grounding). If I answer at all / am able to hear here in the present still... I'll name the helmets, the sky, Petey's eyes... None of which are there in the room with me, and all of which pull me deeper into the past instead of more connected to the present. But asking me to name 5 blue things if I'm being raked over with intrusive memories? Helpful as blazes. Flashbacks & intrusive memories can be equally devastating, but need to be handled very differently.

If your therapist is any good they should be able to ask you questions which lead to a better understanding for both of you.