Intrusive flashbacks

Hey all, sorry i have been offline for a while. I needed a break, and am back for a short while now. I am not doing very well, my threapist says i am suffering from severe egsuastion (sorry not sure how to spell that think i got it right< i am not a perfect speller), and really need rest from not sleeping for such a long time.

I was wondering how do people here deal with their really bad intrusive flashbacks. Are there any good coping skills for them, or is one supposed to just sit through them? Sorry if t his sounds stupid, but thought i would ask anyway. Bearhugs.

My therapist and I do relaxation visualizations during therapy sessions and we have recorded a few of them on to cassettes so that I can listen to them any time I need them. Some of them are from Belleruth Naparstak and you can listen to samples on her (Belleruth Naparstak) website at http://www.healthjourneys.com

I also use The courage to Heal Textbook and workbook both by Laura Davis. You can find them in bookstores and on her website at http:// www.lauradavis.net They have great information and activities to do when triggered and experiencing flashbacks,

I also use the daily practices and meditations by Nancy J Napier. You can find that information on her website http://www.nancyjnapier.com

thanks so mu ch for the information...will check em out. bearhugs

WB.... music, aroma therapy, warm baths.....rest

Hi bearhugs, I know this all too well. These have been so hard on me and I really feel for you going through them too. No, you really don't have to just sit through them and take it. One of the things that helped me was to draw them once they passed. I would then run my hands over them and even smash them up into a ball. It sounds odd, but it was really empowering for me and I think helps keep a lot of them from coming back (I used to get the same ones over and over). I also kept empowering music on in the background while I did this. It helped me feel not so alone, and I play the music in the car which I think helps keep me from having them in the car. Some of my worst ones have been in the car. I guess the main point was to be able to touch what I was afraid of -- all those images. It really helped.

Be well,

mtd