How do you know it's a flashback?

The question seems simple enough for me but I've been told that I write like people know what I'm thinking.

I am wondering, if you see an images or a moving picture how do you know it's a flashback and not a hallucination? What if you don't recall the incident? And can something start as an emotional flashback and turn into a hallucination due to confusion or outside forces like someone talking.

Hello, Parley. Maybe of use:

Why Do Flashbacks Happen? | After Trauma

For me, flashbacks are basically memories brought about by something similar going on in the present. They can be caused by any of the senses or by reading/thinking something, "remembering" directly, etc. They are called "flash" because of their suddenly showing up in your thinking.

A hallucination feels a bit alien, is "out there" currently instead of in the past and one often isn't quite sure what's going on -- there's voices telling you things but you can't see the people talking or you see things other people aren't reacting to or are telling you they don't see, etc. There's an interaction element between you and whatever it is, you are not just "watching" and feeling like in a flashback.

I think I'd like to lock my cabinet~ Perhaps I can find an old one laying around somewhere. ( I think I just fed my hate)

It was a good read but "Your brain will want to rehearse for future scenarios so that it will be better prepared." is not something I am prepared for. I


ok~ Thanks so much for the response.

What does it mean when you interact with yourself about it while it happening. Wondering what's happening.

What if you recognize something isn't right but it's intrusive so your questioning it. Lets say I'm sitting there talking about something that is troubling me and I'm triggered with a wave of emotions. Isn't it possible for my emotions to create an image that didn't happen based on fears or paranoia or whatever I'm hiding at the time?

Hello again, Parley. Sorry, I do not have the capacity nor training to respond.

lol~ I don't think it matters. I don't think any amount of training can really answer. I was just trying to eliminate the possibility of having a flashback. Thanks for your response.

Sometimes I can see someone over me holding me down on the ground, then I hyperventilate and can't stop it. My partner has to get me out of the position I'm in and hold me. I eventually calm down. Then like last night I was watching orphan black from last week and thy were doing a bone marrow harvesting. I started shaking and all I could see was me on that table. I was a donor 2x as a child by force.

Parley, I haven't found a way to eliminate flash backs, but have tried to have another strategy to change the subject so to speak. Could be doing belly breathing, could be being aware of the bird singing outside my window. Doesn't seem to matter what it is as long as I redirect my attention to something other than the flashback.
When I focus on the flashback it is like giving energy to it and making it stronger. Moving my attention onto something else is a way to deenergize my flashbacks.
Well if there is something there worthwhile help yourself to it.

The way I understand it flashbacks can come with hallucinations, though I myself haven't really experienced much of that...but I know some people do. I more just feel like the event is happening again and my hearing gets like way more sensative so I might like think I heard something I didn't hear and maybe sharper vision but no visual hallucinations.

So I guess I am not so sure it would be a hallucination or a flashback, more likely flashbacks causing the hallucination...so both. But its also possible to have other issues that could cause hallucinations aside from flashbacks so perhaps not all are.