Christmas and Flashbacks

Hi @Sunflower5 and welcome to the SANE forums.

I'm really sorry to hear of your experience, and the lack of understanding and support from those around you.

Have you had flashbacks like this before, and have you found any strategies work well for you when you're going through this? Some people find grounding themselves in the present to help when experiencing flashbacks. This could be by focusing on the five senses and naming things that you can see, hear, touch, smell/taste, or maybe just focusing more on one sense such as touch and holding an icecube or something very cold, splashing your face with water and focusing on the feeling etc. Have you ever tried any of these?

I have had flashbacks before, since I was a kid actually. I haven't been diagnosed with ptsd or anything but I've been dissociating too. I'm not sure what grounding things work for me but I am very thankful for the ones you have suggested.

Hi @Sunflower5

Firstly welcome to the forums.

I can relate to your post so much. I'm so sorry you had to go through that and are still trying to deal with it now. I was SAed on Christmas day by a relative when I was a kid.

I dread the day. I get flashbacks and do dissociate too. Just not on the day, but in the lead up to it also. I don't speak to my family members about it.

There are a number of things I do. I use my 5 senses and hold ice in my hands. I also use the alphabet game. Pick a thing like animals, food, etc. Start at A. So A is for ant, B is for Bear, etc...

I find this helps with the flashbacks.

Also put some headphones on and listen to music. Another thing is journalling. It helps me to get all my thoughts out of my head and onto paper. You could also write everything down and then tear or screw up that bit of paper. Sort of like throwing it out.

Just some suggestions. They might help and might not. Just trying something is an achievement within itself.

Hello @Sunflower5

I am so sorry to hear about your experience and want you to know I hear you and am sorry you have such an unpleasant experience that was around a holiday that is meant to be happy.

i can also relate, Christmas night is a night that I still take a moment to sit in and allow my feelings and how it altered my life forever. I talk to my self and the person inside who was there and holding that pain and give it space. I haven't found much success in sharing with family too as I find people do not want to dampen a day but your story is important so I am glad you could share it here and know we see you and are sending thoughts.

I have been finding it helpful to watch YouTube meditations around acknowledging and releasing trauma and and pain and whatever my body tell me. I just hope that you can give yourself some time alone or with a safe person to hold it today or when you need to.

sending thoughts today. You are allowed to say no to things today if your body feels like it's not ready today.