creative_writerSenior Contributor
Constant flashbacks
Does anyone else struggle with daily flashbacks? I keep getting somatic flashbacks day after day and it’s so exhausting
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Constant flashbacks
227 replies
In response to: Constant flashbacks
AuntGlowModerator
Re: Constant flashbacks
Hello @creative_writer 💛
What are you up to tonight?
I am glad to hear that you have noticed less triggers, I can imagine that would feel really relieving. What do you think has been helping?
I am so sorry to hear about your recent bereavement. Would you like to talk about it at all?
I know things are feeling somewhat triggering tonight, so I am wondering what could be helpful to focus on for grounding and soothing? 🫶
In response to: Re: Constant flashbacks
creative_writerSenior Contributor
Re: Constant flashbacks
@AuntGlow I just simply haven’t been exposed to as much content related to SA.
It’s been tricky talking about the bereavements. I was initial in shock and denial and now I’m angry. I’m also angry about my SA experiences at the same time. I feel so restless.
I’ll try to get a walk in today and will try to ground myself to the present moment
It’s been tricky talking about the bereavements. I was initial in shock and denial and now I’m angry. I’m also angry about my SA experiences at the same time. I feel so restless.
I’ll try to get a walk in today and will try to ground myself to the present moment
In response to: Re: Constant flashbacks
TollyModerator
Re: Constant flashbacks
Hi @creative_writer I hope your walk and your grounding techniques have helped a bit this afternoon and maybe helped to calm those feelings of restlessness. I am hoping you found a patch of lovely sunshine to walk beneath.
In response to: Re: Constant flashbacks
creative_writerSenior Contributor
Re: Constant flashbacks
@Tolly I managed to catch the sunset. I had dinner early and then went out for a walk, I’m still operating on pre-daylight savings time. It helped release some of the nervous energy. I’ll see how I go and observe my mood. I am seeing my psychologist and psychiatrist next week.
In response to: Constant flashbacks
JynxModerator
Re: Constant flashbacks
@creative_writer wrote:
I do have limits and don’t think I could work with perpetrators
@creative_writer it's good to know your limits!! Always good to play to our strengths and passions.
How was the sunset?
In response to: Re: Constant flashbacks
creative_writerSenior Contributor
Re: Constant flashbacks
@Jynx part of self care is recognising strengths and limitations. I don’t want to go to work and be retraumatised.
Seeing the sunset was grounding. I managed to spot three kitties. One of them was hiding under a car while looking like a marshmallow.
How was your day?
Seeing the sunset was grounding. I managed to spot three kitties. One of them was hiding under a car while looking like a marshmallow.
How was your day?
In response to: Re: Constant flashbacks
JynxModerator
Re: Constant flashbacks
@creative_writer marshmallow kitty!! Love it!!
Pretty chill day for me, got some vacuuming done, hung out with kitties, last lot of potato and leek soup for dinner.
Animals really do make the days better hey 😊
In response to: Re: Constant flashbacks
creative_writerSenior Contributor
Re: Constant flashbacks
@Jynx he looks like a marshmallow, but he is so scared. He doesn’t realise there is potential for head patties.
Animals do make a difference, they are also less judgemental.
I’m just going back home from uni, feeling very exhausted and will try to rest up. I’m torn between whether I should talk or not talk about grief. I think my brain has a natural protective mechanism of not wanting to talk about pain because talking about it makes everything feel so real. It’s what I did with trauma until I burst
Animals do make a difference, they are also less judgemental.
I’m just going back home from uni, feeling very exhausted and will try to rest up. I’m torn between whether I should talk or not talk about grief. I think my brain has a natural protective mechanism of not wanting to talk about pain because talking about it makes everything feel so real. It’s what I did with trauma until I burst
In response to: Re: Constant flashbacks
JynxModerator
Re: Constant flashbacks
@creative_writer haha even knowing that I give good head patties to my little Razz, he's still very much a scaredy cat. Hides a lot, hates being picked up, and will only let me give him scritches when he's in his little cat tree! Little scamp.
Haha for sure! Do you think you'd prefer to own a cat, a dog, or some other critter one day?
Aye, talking about things often makes them all too real. It is also how we process the feelings - whether it's talking, writing, or otherwise externalising it, it's often the best way to make sense of our feelings, and give them space to be expressed, and no longer dwelling within us. It does need to be in a safe way though, which you're all too familiar with unfortunately hey... feeling judged or shut down when sharing is a good way to exacerbate the feelings instead of helping to resolve them. All things in their own time, eh?
Hope your day has been kind to you 💜
In response to: Re: Constant flashbacks
creative_writerSenior Contributor
Re: Constant flashbacks
@Jynx maybe I’ll get a cat once we sort out the house. Cats are certainly very weird and have strong boundaries. I feel like I have more in common with cats compared to people. I find it super hard to connect to most people but it’s easier to connect with cats. I also experience a lot of sensory overload and sometimes run away from hugs.
I have an appointment with my supports next week. I did briefly mention that the ED thoughts have been stronger to my GP. I feel sort of reluctant to follow through with everything my dietician suggested, I may have slipped a bit. I don’t know how to get out of this slip, and I know I need to be careful that it doesn’t get worse. I don’t feel like going back to my nutritional plan. I didn’t tell my GP about the slip. He checked in to see how I would cope if things were to get bad, I said I would use self care and reach out for support when needed. I feel like I’m an annoying patient for being so complex, though he still listens and always checks in on me. I told him something significant had happened recently but couldn’t say the words but he didn’t press. The trauma sort of fed the ED. I know trauma and grief may be unrelated, but trauma symptoms have been feeling bad lately, maybe I’ve been stressed. I’ve been struggling with anger and restlessness. I can touch base with my psych, dietician and psychiatrist next week.
I hope you’ve had a kind day 💖
I have an appointment with my supports next week. I did briefly mention that the ED thoughts have been stronger to my GP. I feel sort of reluctant to follow through with everything my dietician suggested, I may have slipped a bit. I don’t know how to get out of this slip, and I know I need to be careful that it doesn’t get worse. I don’t feel like going back to my nutritional plan. I didn’t tell my GP about the slip. He checked in to see how I would cope if things were to get bad, I said I would use self care and reach out for support when needed. I feel like I’m an annoying patient for being so complex, though he still listens and always checks in on me. I told him something significant had happened recently but couldn’t say the words but he didn’t press. The trauma sort of fed the ED. I know trauma and grief may be unrelated, but trauma symptoms have been feeling bad lately, maybe I’ve been stressed. I’ve been struggling with anger and restlessness. I can touch base with my psych, dietician and psychiatrist next week.
I hope you’ve had a kind day 💖
