Physical flash backs advise?

[Erika O]

Hi, I have been going to therapy for like five years for my complex ptsd(multiple types of abuse thruout my life). I know lots of coping mechanisms but I have never heard of or have tried something that actually worked for when I am having physical pain in areas where I was traumatized. Most people don’t know what I’m talking about when I tell them. It’s so overwhelming. It feels so real. Even when the visual flashbacks go away the pain stays for atleast a full 24 hours sometimes longer. Anyone have advise or anything? Or atleast tell me I’m not alone?

 

[Teasel]

You're certainly not alone with this, it sounds like it could be Body Memories? I'm sorry I don't have ways to deal with it but you might find some useful information if you google ways to deal with body menories. And hopefully others here have useful tips too :)

 

[Skywatcher]

The book “The Body Keeps the Score“ helped me understand it. Sometimes, I try to remind myself that where the pain is coming from is in the past. Then I work on grounding myself to the present.

 

[Ellabella44]

I had a time for quite a while ( sorry it was years ago) where every time I looked at my hands and saw my knuckles bruised the way they were before someone at school called my parents and they stopped hitting me at all. I had gone to school after using my hands to cover myself as I had yet another yard stick broken on me. My knuckles were purple next day and a teacher went to see why I wasn't writing in class.

As I write this I can feel them tensing up. I try to remind myself that its not happening now. It's because the physical self has a reaction to the things that happened. I haven't read the book yet.

 

[MyWillow]

Self soothing is so important. My psydoc encourages me to hug myself, stroke my arms like I would my dogs and cats, and acknowledge the pain but assure my body that I will protect it. Finishing the story how you wished you had is also very empowering. Terrifying but empowering.

 

[Erika O]

thank you