What happens during a flashback? A flashback can be difficult to understand for people who have never experienced one. Flashbacks and nightmares like flashbacks are common symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Posttraumatic stress disorder is an anxiety disorder that is caused by a traumatic event. Violence, witnessing violence happening to someone else, sexual assault, violent experiences related to war, and even car accidents are examples of trauma that can be causes of PTSD.
The reliving of the traumatic event is what happens during a flashback. For reasons not completely understood, the memory of the event replays as if the traumatic event is happening to the person again. The peripheral vision of the person may go black. In the person’s vision, the attack is happening again. The person will see the traumatic event and may even feel some sensations they may have felt during the original trauma.
The flashback can occur during the day or in the form of flashback nightmares. With flashback nightmares, the person relives the traumatic event in their dream. If the person awakens during the flashback nightmare, it may take some time for the person to become aware of their actual surroundings and realize that it was a dream.
The flashback nightmares are extremely vivid and may seem to continue after waking. In those cases, the person may be awake, but still be having the flashback. If someone is having flashback nightmares, the person may develop a fear of going to sleep which can lead to insomnia.
Living with PTSD and flashbacks can be difficult since the flashback adds anxiety to the anxiety that already exists with the PTSD. A PTSD flashback is a scary experience. They may worry about having a flashback in public or around people who may not be aware of their condition.
People with PTSD may start to feel that they are recovering only to have a flashback and feel as if they are starting the healing process all over again. It is important for the person with PTSD and flashbacks to remember that the flashbacks will gradually decrease in frequency. Though it may feel like a loss of progress, having a flashback does not take away from the therapeutic work that has been done while working towards recovery.
During a flashback, the person can be helped to stop the flashback. If someone witnesses a friend of family member having a flashback, it is beneficial for them to talk to the person in a calm voice and remind the person having the flashback that the traumatic event is not really happening and they are okay. It may be helpful to calmly call the name of the person having the flashback. When friends and family understand what happens during a flashback, it can be easier for them to know how to be supportive of the person with PTSD.