Flashbacks and Memories

[Kristen.NewCreation]

Lately I've been working on some past issues of abuse, and it has created a flood of flashbacks and body memories. It has impacted my sleep (virtually non-existant) and that is making it harder to cope.

I've been journaling and playing the piano and surfing the internet in distraction.

Does anyone have any other thoughts of things that have helped with struggling with flashbacks and body memories? I'd really love to hear your ideas.

Thanks.

Kristen

 

[Johnnz]

These happen as you begin to look at the past. It is part of the healing. Don't get despondent - they are actually indications that good things have begun. Look at them, and then acknowledge that Jesus both understands, and has taken them onto Himself on the cross and consequently you are now in the process of not being dominated by them.

What is important is to see if you can identify the inner messages you have lived with resulting from the bad times, such as fear, self abasement, terror etc. Then you can address those inner dialogues with what you know of Jesus' life within you.

Bless you
John

 

[Johnnz]

I should have added: Initially flashbacks can be very vivid and very frequent, which is extremely unpleasant and disheartening. But as you make progress both frequency and intensity change, and content does too sometimes. It can be a rough ride for a while.

Sorry about that.

John
NZ

 

[Broken Hearted]

Im sorry Kristen that you are having all this. Im not much of a person and Im currently working on a lot of issues myself as you know mostly on alot of grief we stopped working on the abuse issues I went through for the moment trying to focus on one thing at a time. But I suffer from alot of flashbacks and a few things my therapist suggested was when I am having the flashbacks is to grab a piece of ice and hold it because this is going to give you a pain that really isnt physically hurting you and I hold it till I can come back to reality and realize im in the current state and Im not in harm. And another one is just looking around a room and just start counting things out loud or to myself just saying to myself what i see. These things help sometimes to bring me back to the current state. I hope maybe this will help you. HUGS and Prayers

 

[Kristen.NewCreation]

Thank you both for your thoughts and suggestions.