do flashbacks ever leave?

[IamMS]

i just want my flashbacks to go, does anyone know if they will go at some point or have i got this forever? they are lessening but i just want them to stop. pplease reply

[Josie]

They will leave, but form time to time they will reappear.  Don't let it haunt you.  Realize it as a bad memory.  Try not to give it any place in you.
I realize now that what I see isn't real anymore.  It is in the past.  I still feel very stressful about them at times, but, I I know where I am now, and it is no longer apart of me.  It's not easy, but it seems to work for me most of the time.

[apple]

I try to self talk.  I have a memory as if it really happening again, I experience the same emotion I had at that time.  I have to tell myself its past.  I will never feel that again.  I am safe now.  Pound it in my head.  It has gotten easier but I dont think they really go away.  They may come less often as you stop being afraid of them, as you find acceptance but also knowing that it is over and you are safe.

[Quietartist]

Hi IamMS,

     I agree with Josie and Apple.  Traumatic events leave a big impression on our minds and, therefore, have the ability to draw us back to experiences we fear to live through again.  Personally, I have found that with time and acceptance the painful memories begin to subside.  Little by little their frequency lessens, enabling you to better handle the here and now.  Of course, this isn't to say that we can't revert back to these thoughts under certain conditions.  Sometimes I will encounter something that brings back those same painful feelings from the past.  Fortunately, this doesn't happen too often and, over the years, I've learned what triggers these feelings and how to handle them if and when they come back. 

     I think the greatest advice is to accept what has happened in our pasts.  Though this is hard at first I believe it's the only real way to move on with Life.  Our past will always be with us and there is nothing we can do to change this fact.  What we can do is consciously choose to live in a way that is unrestricted by past events.  Initially you may have to think back to what happened and forgive yourself and/or others for the role they played.  This is a very important step because it is extremely difficult to drag the past with you.  Later, when you feel these thoughts creeping back you can tell yourself that you've dealt with the event, knowing that further analyzing will not bring contentment.  While you may not believe yourself at first it will get easier. 

Good luck with everything,

~ Quietartist

[MermaidGirl]

They WILL go away.....eventually.  About four years or so ago, I was sexually assaulted (I got away before any real damage was done, though, fortunately).  After that incident, I had nightmares and flashbacks for several months, but they became less and less severe and frequent as time went on (and with help and support from my friends and from the counsellor at my university), until I stopped having them altogether.  Now, I still remember what happened, but it doesn't hurt me anymore.  I hope things work out the same way for you too.....stay strong. :)

[mommy_2_4_babies]

My flashbacks reappear every nightwhen I go to sleep and medication does not help they say it increases "vivd dreams" maybe 1 day they will stop

[IamMS]

  thank you guys for replying. iam waiting for emdr at the moment so hopefully wont be long before iam free again. thanx again, its comforting to know that there are people out there who genuinely care xxxx

[Justyn]

Mine are mostly gone  so that is proof it can happen.  The limits are in your head.  I'd say write your flash backs and express them fully when you can find the time.   Since usually your mind is trying to tell you something well my mind is usually trying to say something so  listen to your  instinct .   Why  should you listen to me anyway I'm certifiably crazy?  :)  Call upon St Jude and he'll guide you most likely to healing.  He only speaks when you are ready to listen and it is hard to hear him sometimes but Jude helped me, he saved my life and kept me out of trouble.  Anything can happen and all you need to do is believe when everyone else doubts you.  I'll probably get thrown out because that is what happened before either that or I left.  people do not like me and I really don't care what happens.  So there is always hope and you just have to find it.