Flashbacks and dissociation

Apricit123
Community Member

Hi I been getting flashbacks for about a month now and they seem to be getting worse, and on top off that they changed the brand of my medication so it's an added stressor I keep thinking the medication is making me worse my brain feels like it is in overload and i cant relax.

In the Last month it feels like a nightmare and nothing feels real how do you usally cope with flashbacks???

3 Replies 3

Mum Chris
Community Member

Hi

Flashbacks are hard I can have them constantly and then not for a while. Usually something triggers it. If I feel vulnerable or really anything that reminds me. I’m doing deep breathing and relaxation. I also distract myself from my thoughts. I have hobbies I can do inside and sitting. I watch funny shows and try and focus on the shows. I often sleep with one earbud in listening to YouTube sleeping relaxation on my iPad. My favourite are with a female voice softly saying positive stuff “I am” there’s heaps of different ones but my favourite ones are for healing and emotional hurt. the voice says I am gorgeous I am safe I am exactly where I should be and I am etc etc they go all night. Amazingly I get some sleep. My flashbacks are often more like the things are going to happen now so I really try and get them out of my head.
Hope you feel better soon.
MC

geoff
Champion Alumni
Champion Alumni

Hello Apricit@@, the medication and flashbacks may be associated but I can't say as I'm not a doctor, however, the way I was told is that the actual event isn't happening now it's only a trigger that's caused it but the sensation can be changed.

It's possible to develop strategies to manage or minimise these flashbacks by telling yourself it's not in the same area as before or any people involved weren't the ones who started this for me and you can change the situation by doing certain tasks.

If you can conquer this once then the next time will be easier to stop.

Best wishes.

Geoff.

Apricit123
Community Member
Hi no it was happening before the medication. Its just the stress of taking medication that has made my flashbacks seem worse because I'm on edge