I hate the flashbacks :(

Mental Health Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
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i hate the flashbacks :(

3 Hearts
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That sounds awful I'm so sorry, if you ever need someone to talk to or a distraction don't be afraid to message me.

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I'm here for you if need someone talk to as well

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thank you guys x

1 Heart
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@suicidalghosts Of course, anything you need

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Message me anytime....I know how it is to deal with flashbacks. Different reason though.

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Me too .message me anytime you need to talk

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I agree. I get them every single night and can't sleep and end up crying myself to sleep every night. Its terrible. For me I do a 54321 breathing technique which calms me down a bit. Heres a link http://www.practicalhappiness.co.uk/media/download_gallery/5%204%203%202%201%20Relaxation%20technique.pdf

1 Heart
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Hi soicidalghosts, I agree the flashbacks / nightmares / daymares are a 'Hurrendous' side effect of Sexual Abuse. I'v suffere with them for over 40 plus years and, they have never left me or, got any better to deal with... Sometimes, they take me right 'back' there as if, it were yesterday... The abuse has never left me and, over the years, I've tried different 'coping' strategies but... To 'no' avail... The one which has helped / still does help the most for me, is 'self-harm'... My body is covered in scars from cutting... I can 'correlate' every scar on my body to, the exact time I cut, what I was feeling, the issues I was facing, the exact memory I was reliving, the Abuser I was thinking about, what was happening during that time of the abuse et. Every 'Cut' is like a 'Map' on my body... A 'Map' of my 'Life's Journey'... Obviously, I'm not 'encouraging' you to start 'self-Harming' in any way, I'm just sharing my experiences and how 'dysfunctional' I became, because of the Sexuql Abuse... I'm here and will support you in any way I can if, you'd like me to. You can PM me anytime... Sometimes, I know for me, it is easier to 'open-up' and, speak more 'freely' on a one-to-one basis so... I'm here. Thinking of you and sent with love, Trish x

1 Heart
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Hi there, sorry your having a hard time with flashbacks, maybe this can help.
Tips For Coping With A Flashback

by Michele Rosenthal

1. Count 1 – 10 slowly; repeat until the flashback ends.

2. Practice breathing techniques to reconnect the body to the mind.

3. Focus on one of the five senses, i.e. slowly look at what’s around you and notice the details; take a deep breath and smell the air; chew a piece of gum and taste the fresh flavor; put your hands together and feel the skin; listen to the sound of traffic.

4. Let the flashback flow and view it as you would a movie, as if you are removed from it and it is appearing on a screen. You are in the present moment; the flashback is a separate event.

5. Snap an elastic band around your wrist.

6. Hold onto an ice cube.

7. Put a squeeze of toothpaste into your mouth (very unique texture/taste/smell).

8. Take a swig of vanilla extract.

9. Stomp your feet.

10. Say the alphabet backwards.
11. Journal. “Put it in a box” and put the box away.

12. Smelling peppermint oil (helps with head-aches, nausea, and jolts the senses).

13. Reach out. Talk with someone.

14. Surround yourself with things that help ground you (clocks, calendars, music).

15. Develop a channel for safe venting if/when necessary. In the words of one survivor: “I used to take old jars from the fridge and smash them against a brick wall several blocks from my home, slamming a door, or screaming at the top of my lungs when no-one could hear me.”

16. Stretching, Yoga, biking, running, walking, or working out.

17. Counting without limit – begin counting when it starts and don’t stop until the memory recedes.