[Koojriu]

Hey, I've been having non stop intrusive thoughts and flashbacks, for two weeks now...and it's starting to slowly drive me insane. So I was just wondering what other folks do to cope that doesn't involve substance use? Thanks!
Ps. I know how to bring myself out of the flashbacks but they just DONT stop happening, my doctors all know and are at a loss too so that's why I'm posting here, no offense but what I call cookie cutter solutions and coping skills don't work, ice doesn't work, breathing REALLY doesn't work, stuff like that, can't medidate to save my life and yogas not my thing.

[leomama]

I just learn to live with them and focus on what needs to be done. Medication, sleep, a schedule, supplements , exercise , work to do, books to read.

[ThisWayOut]

I'm sorry you're struggling so much with this. I can relate to being overwhelmed by non-stop flashbacks.
Unfortunately, the only thing I've found that works had seasonal limits. I go outside in the winter with no coat only as long as I can stand it without it getting dangerous. The whole- body shock of being cold seems to work for me. The other thing that works is a really poor coping mechanism.
I'm guessing if you want to try the cold thing and it's not actually cold outside, maybe a cold shower?
Breathing is really triggering for me, so I stay away from it. Same with meditation.
I hope you are able to find something that works for you. It can be really horrible to be mired in flashbacks for so long.

[Koojriu]

Originally Posted by ThisWayOut

I'm sorry you're struggling so much with this. I can relate to being overwhelmed by non-stop flashbacks.
Unfortunately, the only thing I've found that works had seasonal limits. I go outside in the winter with no coat only as long as I can stand it without it getting dangerous. The whole- body shock of being cold seems to work for me. The other thing that works is a really poor coping mechanism.
I'm guessing if you want to try the child thing and it's not actually cold outside, maybe a cold shower?
Breathing is really triggering for me, so I stay away from it. Same with meditation.
I hope you are able to find something that works for you. It can be really horrible to be mired in flashbacks for so long.

Thanks! I will try that in the winter! There really isn't much is there? My psych tried upping my dose of prazosin but it just made my blood pressure drop too much which caused hard heart beats which caused anxiety....

[ThisWayOut]

I haven't found much that works.
In the long-run, emdr has overall helped, but it doesn't do much in the moment.

[Out There]

Maybe you could try listening to music with a gentle binaural beat like the EMDR therapy album on YouTube , there's lots of music like that and you don't have to focus on anything.

[Koojriu]

Originally Posted by Out There

Maybe you could try listening to music with a gentle binaural beat like the EMDR therapy album on YouTube , there's lots of music like that and you don't have to focus on anything.

Thanks everyone! I will try EMDR but my music tastes are very, small. I use music a lot to reflect on my current state of emotions kinda like mental/visual journaling, but something simple might just be better.