Are These Flashbacks? (Poss. Trig.)

Hey. Seems like forever since I've posted.

So, I've noticed something in the past month or so, and I think it may be flashbacks, but I don't know. Whenever I see someone getting romantic with their partner (Like, deep kissing, stuff like that) I get these.. I dunno.. Images in my head. They're sort of like photographs that pop up in my head. But, the picture will switch to another picture before i can actually see what it is. I think there's about 20 or so pictures that show up. I might be wrong. All of them are in a dark place, but that's all I can get out of them. I know when I get these pictures I feel extremely.. Uhm.. Vulnerable? I don't know if that's the right word. I get scared, paralyzed, alone. That sort of stuff. Afterwards, once it all passes and Im feeling better, I get really frustrated because I couldn't see the pictures. I try to remember what they were, but it's as if they were never even there or something. Lately, Im more easily annoyed, so this is really getting to me.

Are these some form of flashbacks? Is there any way I can get them to go away?

I'm not sure what forms flashbacks can come in, only that they feel really really vivid, almost like for a second you are there again. for me its an all-surrounding image of where i was, (usually full 3d) and i can feel stuff physically, like strong memories of textures against my skin or if something was warm or cool etc and other stuff,) and any emotions i felt at the time. its like im there again for a moment.

im not sure if what you're describing are flashbacks or not, (maybe someone else will know) but im guessing everyone's experience of them is slightly different. alters can show me pics sometimes, - some combine parts of flashbacks with images to communicate things easily, so all sorts seems to be possible...

Yes, they are flashbacks. They can come in all shapes and sizes, and also vary in severity. Some people will perceive a flashback with only one sense, and some will use all of their senses to experience it. There's no way to "get rid of them" to be frankly honest, the only thing I would imagine you could do is to deal with them when you are ready. Little by little.

What you're describing honey is a trigger. You are triggering a flashback (or "pictures") by the scenario of people being romantic in that kind of way. I would think that avoiding that kind of trigger will be hard, since people do those things often in public and on television... but if something like that triggers you into having an episode maybe you can try some grounding techniques. Sometimes trying to look back on the flashback will frustrate you more than help, so let them run their course if they come and either you can ground yourself (distractions help) or let them come back to you if you feel well enough to handle them. I hope you're holding up okay!

Yeah, that sounds like a flashback. Flashbacks can also be feelings, so feeling scared after the images is probably a flashback, too. You'll probably be able to see the pictures more clearly, eventually.

LunaSyko wrote:Is there any way I can get them to go away?

It might be something you need to see...

Just try to avoid whatever is triggering them, and try to deal with the feelings that come with them? You can look up some lists of things that you can do to try to get through them easier. If you're feeling scared, try doing something that makes you feel safe (go somewhere more comfortable, get a blanket to put around yourself or snuggle with, hold something that makes you feel better, etc.), tell yourself that you're okay, focus on how you're breathing can help (breathe calmly)... things like that

Alright. Thanks guys. I was really getting mad at these flashback things because I simply didn't know what they were and why they were haunting me so much. Usually, I would just brush them off to the side and not worry about (that's the kind of person I am), but lately it's harder for me to do that. Three new alters showing up. My alcoholic dad shooting his best friend. Divorce. Money issues. Just a lot of stuff weighing down on my shoulders. Guess that's making everything seem worse.