flashbacks

[anonymous08]

I have PTSD due to being sexually assaulted...that's all I can say. It's hard enoguh for me just to type or say that alone. It happened two years ago and I continue to have flashbacks everyday, maybe five to ten a day. I was wondering if anyone else experience them too and knows maybe how to lessen the amount or wants to hsare how they deal with them.

[grywlf59]

i really feel for you about the flashbacks.  i know how hard they are and how they affect your daily life as i have had them most of my life.  i too was abused.  the flashbacks do get better believe me on that they really do get better but i cant promise you that something wont trigger one out of the blue.  try to identify what triggers yours and that is a good first step.  i also see a therapist.  i know some don't have good luck with therapy but if you get a good therapist it makes all the difference.  also their are loads of great books out there about ptsd that have a wealth of info in them that can help you get some control of the flashbacks.  i am not sure of what your abuse is but check out the library or bookstore or online and find the ones that deal with your specific abuse and trauma.  the more you know about ptsd the more you are armed to deal with those flashbacks and the less they control you.  also you will learn that the fear of having the flashback can be just as bad as the flashback itself but there are good coping skills you can use to combat that too in the wealth of info out there these days.  this site has good info too. you should check it out as well.  i really wish you luck with the flashbacks and hope this helps you some.   just remember that you are not alone in this, there are lots like you out there.

[LOST85]

I just wanted to write in reply and let u know that Ur not alone. I was sexually assaulted 3 years ago now, I still get flashbacks some days are a lot worse than others.. but things do get better like GRY says the more we educate ourselves on our condition the more we can help ourselves . though flashbacks may never go away we can learn to live with them and deal with them as they arise..... we learn to separate the flashbacks from our normal thinking. like putting them in a box inside our brains and now and again we need to bring them out and cry and get rid of our emotions but we learn to put them back (if that makes sense) sorry I am rambling..

The main thing is Ur not alone, one thing I have learned is that there are people out there just like u and me who can not speak out and say how they feel ... by reading these comments maybe someone else will seek out support and realise they are not alone

I really do hope that things start getting a little better

The memories will never fade but we will get stronger xxx

[Sweetguilty]

Hello I too want to tell you that you are not alone. And never will be alone. We are everywhere. We are the survivors of unfortunate events of life.

My name is sweetguilty. I do have a therapist. I am PTSD, Bipolar, Agoraphobic and have anxiety.  I was abused as a child, and as a adult. I too have flashbacks daily. I have had them for years with the adult ones, and I am just 4 months ago remembering the blocked out memories of childhood. So right now I am having alot of them again and learning to deal all over again. One of my favorite coping methods is having a safe place in my mind I can mentally but myself till I feel safe enough to think it through and face new feelings. ( Mine is a room with soft meadow colored walls and lots of stuffed animals, no windows, no doors.)  I also love having a really soft satin piece of clothe in a pocket, where it is handy to sooth my nerves. I also write about them till it doesn't hurt as much to write. 

I do hope you will find some relief knowing you are not alone. And I do hope that you will find some way that help you with your flashes. If you want you can write me any time I am here about three times a day checking messages and all. I send some gentle hugz your way.