[blameme]

Why can't I get these flashbacks and nightmares to stop? I have tried everything from medication, to emdr, to ECT. I am so exhausted and don't know what else I can do. I just want to give up, give in, and quit this fight! When I have these flashbacks and nightmares it's like reliving all that disgusting stuff all over again. I can not only feel physically what's going on, I also see, hear, taste, and smell it. I can't keep this up!!! WHY CAN'T IT JUST STOP ALREADY?

[Yoda]

It takes therapy and time. Lots of time. My PTSD was severe for several years. My flashbacks started in 2000. 2009 was the first year that I didn't have them disrupt my life.

I hope you get better soon.

[Crew]

Hi BlameMe

I am sorry you are going through all the mess of Healing... Helping flashbacks would to begin with a therapist yet while your waiting for that hop over to the PTSD Forum and the "sticky note" has what and how to Ground. If your having flashbacks Grounding helps tremendously. Journaling to get those feelings out of you, helps alot! Learning how to calm yourself like mindfulness after Grounding yourself to the present.
In my opinion it sounds like your NOT letting those intense feelings out and the above will be a start and as you know you have to stop somewhere and get a grip.
Give yourself a pat on the back because whatever you do, hopefully safely,
because you were able to get past the intense emotions and you obviously grounded yourself, it would be interesting I think to you to know what you did to get back to the present because you were able to come and post and get those feelings out here and what is so awesome about all of this is that YOU hopefully my new FriEnd, were able to write and that sounds like what you need to do IMO .
It was wonderful meeting you...check out some of the special group chats that are run by your peers which they help alot.
Good Luck and I hope I will see you around PC,
Crew

How are you doing, blameme?

[Gr3tta]

Hi Blameme. I'm sorry you're having such a hard time. I know how scary and frustrating it can be when flashbacks and nightmares are yanking you right back into some of the most awful parts of your life. Sometimes it has helped me to think about the things that I'm having flashbacks about in a way that I control. For instance, write about it, or draw a picture about it, or talk about it. If you have someone you can share it with, that's wonderful, but if not, just talk about it to the empty room. (this may sound silly, but what the heck, it's an empty room, no one sees it!) I do this sometimes, and it seems to help my brain get the memory out in a more productive way.
Thank you very much for sharing your frustration with us!

[(JD)]

I don't know for how long you have been experiencing flashbacks, but the other member is right, it takes lots of therapy and years of processing before they begin to ease ... but they will.

The good thing about the brain (well one of them) is that as you process a memory --or flashback-- in therapy, your brain then knows how to file all similar memories. That means that you don't have to go through every freaking memory before you begin to feel relief.

That you KNOW you are having a flashback is progress ... that it seems all the time probably is too, as before you didn't realize you were being triggered all the time. It's a tough step, but a necessary one.

I agree that trying to process the flashback is important. If you can, note everything surrounding it ... what were you thinking right then, what was playing on the radio, tv, or where did you just drive past or see, etc. You may not even have to look over your notes of various flashbacks to begin to realize exactly what is triggering you, as your brain might begin to process already. However, discuss this with your T because trying to process it on your own might be too much right now, and cause more problems.

Once you know a trigger, you can work on it in therapy or you can avoid it until you feel safer then.

When you have a trigger, as soon as you can, begin telling yourself "It isn't happening NOW, this is now and that was THEN." Also focus on breathing deeply and slowly. Both those steps should help you ease the results of a flashback.