Good Times and Bad, They Are There

Ice in both hands help alot. Also helps If you can look at different things around you and say what they are. Feel different things (floor, wall, computer keys) around you and keep saying out loud the name of the place you are at.



The ice really does help. I don't know if you tend to scratch during a flashback, but if you do, rub Ice in the most vulnerable area that you would most likely scratch.

They do last for about 5 minutes to sometimes hours. And they happen whenever they want... Sometimes turn the best days into the worst. But you know I'm not giving up my one and only chance on life I have more to gain, then I have, to loose...

I have been diagnosed by several phsychiatrists/psychotherapists with PTSD. There is now an eye movement pattern that they can use to help with this. I'm not sure exactly how it works. I was

going to have it done when I lost my insurance. I understand what you are going through.

Here's a link; hope this helps.



http://helpguide.org/mental/emdr_therapy.htm

You all are so awesome! Thank you for all your support and your suggestions. I will try everything you've mentioned.

Nora, yes please if you could get those exersizes from your friend I would greatly appreciate it.

Thorny, you seem so strong, thank you for giving me an idea, I will surely try going step by step back through everything and trying to organize it.

ChinUP, thank you as well, I have tried something similar as to what you said... everytime I come out of the flashback I write it down in a notebook, every detail and keep that book stashed away.

LT, thank you sweetheart.

Immi, my heart aches so for you. Sometimes, I am not sure which is more pertinent, the years I remember, or the years that have been obliterated from my conscience memory. I THINK it is the ones I remember, but then when something triggers some huge emotional response in me (like marching bands in a parade, horses in a parade, fire trucks in a parade)I can't help but wonder" WHERE did THAT come from?" Why do I crumble every time I attend a simple small town Christmas parade? And WHY do I become terrorized at the sight of a house fire? Why do I hyperventilate and cry and lose my grip on myself? Why do I "over react"? I know it is PTSD. I've been told, but where did it come from? The years are gone, totally. And would I be better off with them back in my memory? I am going to trust God with this one. As I have been doing with the ones I remember. I have taken those memories and worked them from the outside, taking the adult involved back in time, in my mind, till they are the same age I was at the time, and then forming a dialogue in my head- child to child. It has helped me, maybe it will help you. I hope you find your "key" to releasing you from this dungeon with invisible chains. And someday, you WILL be some lucky woman's Knight in Shining Armour. And one heck of a great daddy to some happy child.

I do not understand all that you are going through but if you ever need to talk send me a message. I may not completely understand everything but I know I care about you and want you to be happy.

I understand, you need to tell your story, get it out, that's why it is here. The longer you keep it bottled the longer it haunts you.

Hi I.D.;



what you're describing is ptsd...post traumatic stress disorder...maybe you're aware of it already,but i had similar symptoms and went to a psychiatrist, who told me about the disorder adn gave me a 'project' so to speak on what might help. It sounds simple,but its called the 'treasure chest' ...when u start to remember, take a few deep breaths and envision yourself grabbing each flashback or parts of it, and throw it into the chest. lock it with a large lock. do the same for every other experience, except put them in their own individual boxes. Bit by bit, this may help assure you that it is in fact, in the past, but you may need specific counselling to cope with this. its important to get help asap, b/c the longer this is left untreated, the worse it will get over time. it has helped me quite a bit, but so has my faith in God...to be able to allow ourselvees to lean on a higher power it definately helps to lift the burden off of us. good luck, hugs and hope this helps a bit!!