[monkeybrains21]

As the title states I can't stand the term flashback. I have just come to terms with having PTSD these past few weeks. I refuse to use the term flashback and have no idea y. Instead I think of them as memory hallucination. It makes me feel childish either way. These memories have only started occurring over something that happened a decade ago. But if I really think about it, it's been an issue in the past for different situations.

Does anyone else hate the term flashback?

[SkyWhite]

I don't like the term either. The medical term for "flashback" is hypnagogic regression, but flashback is a lot easier to say.

When I hear the term flashback I think of when I first heard it in the 70s in reference to hippies re-hallucinating from psychedelic drugs months after taking them. Those flashbacks I might not mind so much.

My memories are from over 50 years ago, so they can get stuck in your head for a long time.

[Hellion]

I don't really have any issue with the term, seems fitting to me.

As for a flashback from psychedelic drugs if it was like a good trip I certainly wouldn't complain, but if it was like a bad trip then that would suck...but I've never had any flashbacks from tripping and I have tripped on mushrooms more than 10 times at least and had acid a couple times.

[JaneC]

I don't like it. I think our verbal language is very powerful and for me some words just do not work. I told my T...he is kindly quite careful with his word choices with me. I only refer to things as memories, for that is what they are to me.

I don't think it is childish, but I can understand how you can feel that, I used to think I was 'stupid' for not liking words. Now I just know it is ok because it is what I need and prefer.

Take care

[monkeybrains21]

Mine have nothing to do with drugs. I think I'd feel better about them if it was. Just cuz then it's well I did it to myself. Mines do to having an abusive alcoholic pedophile father, a terminally I'll twin where I was used as the only source of blood and tissue for her, sexual assault,and myself being in an abusive relationship.

I feel so trapped under it all and have tried digging myself out these past few yrs. before recently I just numbed it out with pot and alcohol, but since then have cleaned up due to dissociation. Last time I smoked I had no idea what was real I was hearing things I couldn't possibly hear and I freaked out hardcore.

[Teacake]

I dont mind the names of things. I just need to figure out a working model of what they actually are and gaín some control over them.

Flashbacks diminish as you do things like yoga to restore GABA and avoid things like coffee that release adrenaline. I take adderall which does release
arenaline so i gave to do everything else right.

We dont have to be victims of our symptoms.

I think of mine as a panicked young person pointing frantically to a movie screen. "yeah, baby, that happened, 1985" or "holy ****, this may have been real bad".

[Hellion]

If the symptoms don't go away sort of hard not to be a victim of them....when they hit.

[Teacake]

Originally Posted by Hellion

If the symptoms don't go away sort of hard not to be a victim of them....when they hit.

Symptoms are like toddlers, they dont go away, and you cant be the boss of them, but you dont have to be victimised by them.

I'm remembering when I was 22. I wish someone had told me i had ptsd, told me the physiology of it, and told me above all else not to waste my youth worrying about symptoms. I could have done a lot more had someone really talked to me about how we can carry on in spite of symptoms.

[skeksi]

I am very sensitive to words, too. I find that I am less reactive when T and I describe it as "a re-experiencing."