[Tongalee]

I'm sorry if this is a repeat of anyone else's post, but I really need some information from those who have had/gone through flashbacks.

As of late, this has been a terrible problem for me. I feel like I'm constantly warding off this pull into history. I can hear, and feel everything and it sends me into spiraling anxiety until I'm crying and hugging my knees. I can't keep this up, esp since its starting to affect my therapy. I either break down and freak out, have a flashback right in front of her, or I am so afraid that I will have one that I'm afraid to speak. My therapist has been great, and worked hard to calm me down, but I can't always be there enough to keep her in my mind, to allow her to be helpful.

What do I do?? I feel really bad, and am worried that she is going to send me to someone else. I can't go to someone else, I just can't. Please does anyone have any experiences with this, and or suggestions?

[RedSun]

I'm so sorry, this sounds really scary. I think it's one of those awful things that may get worse before it gets better, so the fact that it's happening so often may mean that this episode is peaking, and will soon feel a little bit more processed?
I don't really have any advice, but maybe check out the ptsd forum on here? Big hugs xxx

It's hard. There is no easy solution.
With time you will be able to withstand them.
Knowing that you are in therapy and will get to session is worth holding onto.

[icansurvive2000]

do you have any avenues that you can talk to someone about that may be able to help you. I have learned that if we just had someone that we can talk to sometimes that helps.

Originally Posted by Tongalee

I'm sorry if this is a repeat of anyone else's post, but I really need some information from those who have had/gone through flashbacks.

As of late, this has been a terrible problem for me. I feel like I'm constantly warding off this pull into history. I can hear, and feel everything and it sends me into spiraling anxiety until I'm crying and hugging my knees. I can't keep this up, esp since its starting to affect my therapy. I either break down and freak out, have a flashback right in front of her, or I am so afraid that I will have one that I'm afraid to speak. My therapist has been great, and worked hard to calm me down, but I can't always be there enough to keep her in my mind, to allow her to be helpful.

What do I do?? I feel really bad, and am worried that she is going to send me to someone else. I can't go to someone else, I just can't. Please does anyone have any experiences with this, and or suggestions?

[Tongalee]

Originally Posted by icansurvive2000

do you have any avenues that you can talk to someone about that may be able to help you. I have learned that if we just had someone that we can talk to sometimes that helps.

Do you mean my therapist? Or another person struggling with the same/similar things?

[ThisWayOut]

grounding would be a good first step if you have not already attempted that. The PTSD forum here has a sticky on it I believe. Also, working on coping skills to get you through a flashback, and working on staying safe during them are also some things I have been taught.
They can be scary and all-consuming. As someone mentioned above, they tend to get a bit worse before they get better, and dealing with triggering things in therapy can certainly set them off. I go through them in cycles it seems, and they often get worse for a time when we tackle really difficult things in session. I have found traditional grounding is very difficult for me, so I ask all new T's to engage me in cognitive tasks to help me get grounded. My flashbacks tend to be more physical though...
Sorry you are going through this.

One thing that has helped with my flashbacks has been to sit through them reminding myself that it is just a flashback, and not happening in real-time. Again, this is for the more physical ones though. The emotional ones leave me a total wreck...
Can you try relaxation before session, or before talking about difficult things? Also, have you tried creating a "safe space" for yourself when things get rough? this can be through guided imagery or meditation... I prefer the beach in cape cod... then imagine going there whn the flashback starts.

Some other grounding that has helped me has been:
-repeating a mantra about my age, the date, who I'm with, where I am, reminding myself it's a flashback and not currently happening.
-talking about my dogs, but sometimes T has to ask questions to get me going.
-looking at T directly and trying to focus on being there instead of the past
-bring a stress toy or soemthign to fidget with
-I color or draw in therapy often because the slight bit of distraction allows me to be able to talk about difficult things while also remaining grounded.

more traditional grounding:
-engaging the major senses: touch something and describe the texture & feel of it; describe the room you are in to the smalest detail; hold an ice cube and concentrate on the feel of the ice cube; sniff something with a strong scent - peppermint is said to be really good for a quick "yank back to reality", and lavender for soothing; eat somethign with a strong flavor - really sour, something spicy, somethign bitter...