What Do Your Memories Look Like?

[Ocean5]

Speaking of nightmares.... are most people's worst nightmares (recurring) in 3rd person view? I never even realized this until Chava's post. But my worse nightmares are 3rd person view. I have always assumed everyone dreamed like that until today.

 

[theshadowoftheliving]

My trauma memories are usually inaccessible. When I'm functioning, I literally forget them. I forgot the fact that I was raped in college for years - despite the obvious proof (hospital bills, etc) that it happened. But when they are accessible, they're all encompassing - as if they are happening again, right now. But then later, I can't access the content again.

The memories that are actual memories (as opposed to these flashbacks) are shady snapshots. A few move, but endlessly on loop. Some of are patterns on the backs of quilts, the texture of the carpet, the swirling water in the bathtub, accompanied by snippets of thought (I will not remember, I will not remember) and the bodily sensations of betrayal and invasion.

 

[Stickler]

Like little broken up jumbled bits that hit me randomly. Eventually I piece them together, often wondering if I have it correct?

I probably don't have it quite right, I imagine lots of it bleeds together because there was years of it.

 

[Mammo]

Mine are like snapshot images taken with a camera.

I've found it's a little cathartic to be able to capture them remotely accurately in drawing.

 

[Tinyflame]

Yes snapshots with emotions but not audio.

No, my nightmares involve me/ people/ not 3rd person.

Has anyone had this.. I had a nightmare, I think monday, so realistic I had to ground myself to figure out what was real in the morning. :( Then tuesday the nightmare picked up where it left off. And thursday it did again, picked up where it left off. :( :confused:

My nightmares are stress-related. That means a lot to know that, I think. :)

 

[Mammo]

@Junebug I rarely have dreams, probably a couple per year (at least that I remember having). They are typically about violence towards me (not based on actual things that happened) or rape.This is the main focus of dreams I have since I was a kid. But the dreams are always "first person"...upon waking, I can usually only remember images.

 

[Tinyflame]

Thank you @Mammo . It took me years to realize I dreamed/ had nightmares as much as I do, I thought I had none. Though waking up with silent screams or tears etc you think would have tipped me off. :rolleyes:

I guess, come to think of it most or many of my nightmares are of others/ loved ones being or going to be harmed or killed. And I'm trying & can't stop it. Sometimes gruesome. Or I've caused it. Or myself, things done to me. Or I'm lost, & can't say good-bye or can't in time.

 

[Mammo]

@Junebug I'm so sorry to hear that. Sounds awful. Yeah, much of my dreams that I remember involve powerlessness.

What's your take on it? Or do you think most people's dreams are maybe similar?

On a lighter note, my best dream of all time ever - was the one when I was a kid and I could fly...! Amazing. Would love to have that one again one day. :)

Look after yourself.

 

[Tinyflame]

Yes, I guess it is part powerlessness, though more desperation, not really a feeling of 'ability' to do so.

I think everyone's dreams are unique to themselves & their circumstances etc.

Wow I'd love that dream, could I come along? Lol.

May you have that dream again soon. @Mammo . :) :hug:

 

[_demolition.lovers_]

My memories are like snapshots, from both 1st and 3rd person views. No sounds or sensations. Just pictures. Usually it's just random images that are 'out of order' per se. Recent memories are like a film.

 

[sun seeker]

Has anyone had this.. I had a nightmare, I think monday, so realistic I had to ground myself to figure out what was real in the morning. :( Then tuesday the nightmare picked up where it left off. And thursday it did again, picked up where it left off. :( :confused:

Not exactly, but I did have one that continued for a second episode the same night.

 

[sun seeker]

I'm wondering what your memories look like?

I have two kinds of traumatic memory, if we're talking about recovered memory... otherwise they are like any other.

One kind is like segments from a movie, but disjointed, little bits at a time, seen mostly but not entirely from outside my body. There may be flashes of other senses involved, like smell. Each sense may come to me separately. There is less emotion in these memories, as if I'm experiencing them from a distance. Rarely do they involve any sound, interestingly.

Another is somatic and emotional but doesn't involve any visuals.

Just today I had a memory that put both together, and I hadn't realized that this was new until I started writing this, so thank you for asking the question!