NOt much technical info. I have an arsenal of "get me back to -now- tools" I carry everywhere. Aromas that are very strong but positive (lemon, mint, eucalyptus work for me), even rubbing alcohol (I find that neutral), cold water/ice cube on my skin if I can (Jewells offered that tip to me), and I do a see-hear-feel exercise if I feel one "coming on" or as I'm "coming out". (In midst of full-on full sensory ones, not much use.) I repeat aloud three things I see; three I hear; three I can feel/touch; each one is different (I see sky, I see street, I see tree, for example), and that helps me.

I wish I had more, but honestly,, I have a limited toolbox on flashbacks, other than letting myself cry or be secluded for a little while after one, as needed, and sometimes I write down what it was in case I get too "locked up" to talk about it later to therapist.

Blessings, and I am so sorry you had one....

Thanks Leo you had a lot to share. I think that will help. Thanks again for your concern.

Crippling flashbacks were part of my amnesia. Again, no technical knowledge. Flashbacks seem to be as scientifically mystifying as dreams. My toolbox is bigger than you are likely to ever need and certainly more than I feel like typing. The largest drawer of that toolbox is called, "Grounding Exercises." Leo described some good ones. The broad stroke of it is to keep myself as grounded as possible in the here and now while I ride it out. It can be a rough ride.

The good news is that the flashbacks help lead me to where I need to focus my therapy work. They alert me to the spots where I am ready to heal.

Leo gives good advice. Those are the same tools I use. It's not always easy to remember to use them as the flashbacks are very disorienting but with practice it becomes easier so don't get frustrated at first.

Hello Friend,
I'm so sorry for the pain you're experiencing. I don't know what trauma you may have experienced, but I strongly encourage you to speak with a counselor or at least a trusted friend or relative. I have also experienced flashbacks, but they were relatively brief, and a symptom of PTSD. I encourage you to seek healing for the root cause of the flashbacks. What worked for me was opening my heart to healing, at times having to acknowledge that the trauma I experienced did indeed happen. But there's hope and healing when you face the past and forgive. I can PM you some info to help you on your journey to healing if you're interested :)

We've passed Pete Walker's 13 Steps for Managing Flashbacks link here quite a bit as needed.

http://pete-walker.com/13StepsManageFlashbacks.htm

I teach for a living, and I have flashbacks at times right there up front in a classroom in front of 35 students some days. So managing them with Pete Walker's tips has helped me through those days.

My doctor put me in Prazosin this past July. It's a new PTSD medication since 2014 and it helps me, too.

Sorry you had to go through that, @tober1428. Does anyone have any examples of flashbacks? I know they come in many forms, but I'm not sure if I've really experienced any...

Sorry you had to go through that. Flashbacks are no fun. How interesting that you just started having them though. There is something behind that, and it could be a valuable, though unpleasant, step towards recovery. The only way out is through, my friend.

I second what Leo and others have said. When it comes to flashbacks, grounding techniques in the here and now is everything. My favorite tactic for flashbacks was naming every color in the room. Listing 3 things that you See, Hear, Feel ect. is also good. Say it out loud, so you can hear yourself speaking the colors. I've been told that putting your feet squarely on the floor is supposed to help too. Thats how I got through the really big, scary flashbacks. It takes a lot of effort to beat them down.

Whenever I couldn't beat a flashback I would curl up and let it wash over me, because it is only temporary. They can't last forever, and they usually only last a few minutes in my experience.

@Muji, I'm so sorry to hear that you've gotten flashbacks while teaching a class. I cannot imagine how I would get through that situation. I feel for you and admire your strength.

Many warm hugs all around.