afraid of flashbacks

[dovespirit]

in about 3 days i have to go to my brotherinlaws to long island im so scared of bad flashbacks of my husband beating me ;im so depressed please keep me in prayer im so scared bad memories there ; my brotherinlaw has to have a liver transplant he and his wife has to go fla so we have to dog watch for them ; keep him in prayer his name is william lubitz hes 49

 

[DaisyMae]

I'm so sorry, dovespirit. I will pray for you, your brother in law and his family.

 

[Criada]

Praying for your brother in law and for you sweetie.
Flashbacks are horrible - can you practise some centering techniques to use if they happen?

 

[dovespirit]

yes i will try that ;thanks i need a distraction ; thank you for your prayers your sweet n kind

 

[NatethaGreat]

in about 3 days i have to go to my brotherinlaws to long island im so scared of bad flashbacks of my husband beating me ;im so depressed please keep me in prayer im so scared bad memories there ; my brotherinlaw has to have a liver transplant he and his wife has to go fla so we have to dog watch for them ; keep him in prayer his name is william lubitz hes 49

i can relate, read this post from my thread and relate it to your situation about flashbacks.


"the goal is too not focus on the stuff that made me depressed, sometimes i can achieve this and feel great. But sometimes a bad memory pops into my head or a certain even can trigger me back into depression. I feel that i'm unstable and don't want to start anything new until this is resolved. Because if i get triggered into depression i can't function almost like a disability. It literally makes me feel like i'm in the situation again. When something triggers a bad memory what can i do to make it not trigger me into depression. I'm out of the situation that made me depressed but its like its haunting me ( i was in this situation for 4 years felt intense hopelessness and stress). I want to be me again, but this stuff is holding me back. I want to live my life again not just "exist."
^

(my situation)

A reply from nebulajp


Your body doesn't know the difference between thoughts based on memories vs thoughts based on a current situation. That is why when you live in the past you feel like you're in the old situation again.

I suggest you focus on being intensely aware of the present. Be acutely aware of each thought that enters your mind, the emotional reaction you have to the thought, how the thought makes you feel etc. Also be aware of any judgements, evaluations or opinions that you have about your thoughts, i.e. thoughts about thoughts.

By putting your attention and caloric energy into observing your thoughts and feelings, you bring distance between yourself and them because you are observing them from a deeper place. Your thoughts and feelings aren't you, you are the awareness of your thoughts and feelings.

Another suggestion is to always welcome each thought that enters your mind. If you try struggle against having a certain thought it will pull you in deeper, like quicksand. So instead, say "yes" to each thought and feeling that enters your awareness completely accepting that they are there. This doesn't mean to agree with each thought, it means to accept reality. The thoughts are a part of your reality, so accept what is. Don't identify with them, just observe them and accept that they exist.

To be haunted by a past situation causes suffering. If you struggle against the suffering it will only make it stronger. So you have to just accept each moment of your life as it is. This is what Jesus did on the cross. He was in extreme suffering but he did not struggle against it. He accepted and surrendered to it and that it what we have to do to have peace.

Luke 22:42
New International Version (NIV)
42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”

 

[dovespirit]

thank you so much for your advice it means alot from someone whos had a experience much like me ; i often think like you when will i have a normal happy life ;somedays are wonderful and somedays are depressing ;i try so very hard to pray for strength and to have faith when times get so hard;and i struggle ;i would like to be your friend if you dont mind ;and if you ever need to talk laugh or cry im here ;i will pray for us both amen ((((hugs))))

 

[NatethaGreat]

thank you so much for your advice it means alot from someone whos had a experience much like me ; i often think like you when will i have a normal happy life ;somedays are wonderful and somedays are depressing ;i try so very hard to pray for strength and to have faith when times get so hard;and i struggle ;i would like to be your friend if you dont mind ;and if you ever need to talk laugh or cry im here ;i will pray for us both amen ((((hugs))))

whenever your in a situation again and you feel that it might trigger past memories (flashbacks of a depression) focus harder on thinking about the present. It will keep the flashbacks from hurting you again. And thanks for doing that for me

 

[Dewi Sant]

Praying for your brother in law and for you sweetie.
Flashbacks are horrible - can you practise some centering techniques to use if they happen?

What is a 'centering technique'?

I experience flashbacks from time to time, infact, my mind is currently running through that portion of memories right now,
Just trying to steer away, concentrating on a picture I have of Jesus on my desk.


Trying to stay strong.

Prayers for Dovespirit