What Does A Flashback Look Like On The Outside?

[Tmt]

Hi, I'm new.
I am a bit frustrated with myself. Durning therapy I had an intense spontaneous flashback. I don't do that in front of people usually. I'm freaking out because I don't know what happened when I was experiencing it. I left my therapy room and was in a not so great place. I heard nothing and saw nothing except the flashback experience. My anxiety comes cause I don't know what she saw. What does someone else see when you have a flashback. I know what I see and experience... But what happens on the outside? I'm concerned I did or said things. I don't think I did but I can't quit worrying about it. I'm to scared to ask her. Does anyone here know?

 

[Lolly]

When my little sister has a flashback she'll curl up in a ball and wrap her hands around her head. It'll sound like she's hyperventilating. Every now and again, though, if the flashback is very bad, she'll make a sound or shout.

If you are still worried about it by your next session, you could always ask your therapist what she saw, it might put your mind at ease.

Take care!

 

[joeylittle]

Welcome to the forum, @Tmt.

My therapist tells me I don't generally move around too much. I'm sometimes just totally still and quiet with shallow breathing, and sometimes I'm screaming. And I am pretty embarrassed about it, but my therapist tells me not to be and I try and believe him.

I really want to say, don't be afraid to ask your therapist. Are you afraid because you sort of don't want to know, or are you afraid because of what she might think of you?

 

[Deleted member 1860]

Honestly, its likely different for everybody, so I think you'll have to take a chance and ask someone who has seen you in a flashback. My flashbacks aren't full sensory ones so I don't completely leave the present moment. As such, I am very much aware of how I appear to the rest of the world. Your flashbacks seem a bit different, so that's why I think you'll have to ask someone you know.

 

[arfie]

I do believe that asking is the best way to find out. I believe getting over the embarrassment of asking helped my healing tremendously. Letting facts be facts whenever the facts are available helps me get through the chaos of it.

Mine range from full, instant freeze to barely noticeable. My greatest danger has been coming back to the here and now while I am still talking to someone in the past and ending up in full flight mode because I am in no condition to explain it. I make amends when I am able and work to let it go when the opportunity to make amends is not available.

 

[Namenotdiagnosis]

When ive asked my colleagues they just say that u go into a dissaccoiate trance , don't hear them, see them and have lots of memory loss after. Often I get very hot and sweaty like but then am shivering after it. I think everyone would be different though and besides it's your t , so should be able to feel confident and safe and say and act how you want . Don't overthink it and most def don't stress about it you have enough to cope with x good luck x

 

[Tmt]

Thank you! I tend to freeze up when I try and talk to anyone verbally so I know as much as I'm scared to ask her I'm also worried I won't physically be able to. This was so helpful and calming! I'm so happy I found my way here.

 

[katz]

I'm not able to talk at all. I've been told that I just look like I'm daydreaming. Afterwards, I'm not able to speak for a few minutes. It's been quite a while since I've "stepped out".

 

[oasis2003]

I find it so difficult to talk when dealing with the trauma. I find it difficult in therapy to totally trust any one I move around lots or dissociate

 

[katz]

I find it so difficult to talk when dealing with the trauma. I find it difficult in therapy to totally tr...

I do too. I have yet to find a T that I can trust.

 

[oasis2003]

It is such a weird place to be in therapy , I do not like the vulnerability of it all. but saying that therapy has helped an awful lot.

 

[Dissociated1]

Here is a link to an excellent HBO documentary that shows actual dissociative episodes: