Is This An Example Of A Flashback?

[AlmostFellForIt]

Driving down the highway I come to pass a truck , as this occurs I experience vivid imagery of the truck out of control taking me out, almost like quick screenshots from a movie.
I'm not flashing "back" though, as I've never had a motor vehicle accident nor a close call with a truck. This could be the same for a guard rail, bridge, intersection etc, where a "quick video" plays almost fantasizing of an accident.

It's almost a Flash-forward... If that even exists.

Opinions?

 

[digger]

It's not a flashback, no. I don't know if there is a specific name for it but I do it too, and I'm pretty sure there have been other threads here about it before, but I can't remember what people called it to search them for you. It's not all that uncommon though I don't think.

Maybe linked to hypervigilance? - seeing the potential for things to happen?

 

[Casey_03]

I've had this on an almost daily basis. I've been told by therapists in the past that this is usually just a manifestation of major anxiety -- you are so aware of all the dangers around you that they become very vivid. I think it's also just a defense mechanism; your brain is literally in a fight or flight mode warning you of possible dangers, even if there aren't any. I don't have any useful tips on how to deal with this, unfortunately. I guess just remind yourself that this isn't real, that your guard is up and that's all it is.

 

[AlmostFellForIt]

It's not all that uncommon though I don't think.

Thanks, do you mean uncommon for someone with PTSD or anyone?

 

[AlmostFellForIt]

. I think it's also just a defense mechanism; your brain is literally in a fight or flight mode warning you of possible dangers.

Thanks, this does make a lot of sense actually- hypervigilance so to speak.

 

[digger]

uncommon for someone with PTSD or anyone?

Not sure if it's specific to just PTSD, but I think it would definitely be anxiety related.

 

[Nam]

It's called intrusive thoughts. They haven't happened. Another example would be using a knife in the kitchen and then could see yourself in a bloody heap in the middle of the floor.

A truck passes me in a parking lot and I saw my girl underneath and being dragged. Of course, my daughter and I went to the car without a problem.

They happen constantly when I'm really ill. They don't happen at all when I'm better. It's a very good gauge for me as to how well I'm feeling.

They are not good for stress and anxiety. If you feel a pull to make them true, tell your therapist.

 

[SeaQuel]

It might fall under the "sense of a foreshortened future" PTSD symptom? It's pretty common, I believe.

 

[The Albatross]

Catastrophizing.

 

[The Albatross]

I think it is an awareness of your thinking pattern and how you are scanning "the world/situations/your surroundings".

 

[The Albatross]

There is no "flashing forward". It is a signal for how you are scanning the world. There are any number of possibilities that would repute being able to accurately predict "forward" rationally for instance. Neither is it simply hypervigilant per say. It is giving credence to a scenario... that further skews your perception and disrupts your stress/anxiety That is a thinking pattern that is maladaptive. It is a behavior. Anthony has some excellent articles on this.

 

[Ocean5]

My doctor called it "intrusive thoughts" from PTSD I'd experience upon waking-up....