What is the difference between emotional flooding and emotional flashback?

[WillowMarie]

I was just wondering if there is a difference between emotional flooding and emotional flashback and what the differences are.

 

[Venusian]

I don't know if there is a difference but sometimes when I get overwhelmed with emotions it is just that, overwhelming, other times there is a component to the emotions that feels like I am right back there in the trauma. I think that is the difference. You still have to deal with it all but knowing where they originate makes it that much easier. This is a great question and I can't wait to hear what other people think.

 

[Deleted member 1860]

Good question. I have no idea...

 

[BlackbirdSinging]

I hadn't heard of emotional flooding before so I went and looked it up and clicked on the first link that showed up. It was a link to a Wikipedia page. I didn't read the whole page but I read the first paragraph. And from what I read it says emotional flooding is a technique used in therapy "attacking the unconscious and or subconscious mind to release repressed feelings and fears". I don't know if that's the most accurate description though.

From what I understand of emotional flashbacks which I have it's not something that I need a technique to bring a memory up. I'm triggered and the memory comes to me on it's own. And in those moments I'm emotionally back in a traumatic situation and I'm reliving it and reacting to it. It's exhausting physically and emotionally.

 

[mamachick]

I think of the flashback as only bringing on one or two emotions, primarily fear or panic. I think of flooding as when many emotions collide. When there may be a flashback but also feelings of worthlessness, guilt, inadequecy, shame, anger, defensiveness,. For me, about 30 strong emotions flood my world.