Time of year, breaking news, the wind blowing a certain way…whatever the trigger
There is no telling when it is going to strike
Are they alive or dead?
Is that pain real or echoes from pain long ago that
resurface with a memory?
It feels like I’m being held hostage by my mind
Doesn’t matter what day, time, or year it is…the anatomy of my flashbacks
Are those smells real or is that a smell from a place and time
when I was being held against my will?
Am I really hearing the sounds of helicopters, planes, cicadas or birds?
Or it that the sound coming from a place that no longer exists and
should never be talked about?
Then it passes and I pull myself up the rope
Out of the clutches of PTSD and the skeleton hands of the past
that keep trying to pull me down
The anatomy of my flashbacks
image source: pixabay
Thank you for reading my memoir, Untangled, A Story of Resilience, Courage, and Triumph
Thanks Alexis Rose, and I do love your name. I’m doing almost splendid, on this side of the ugly.
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Pingback: Anatomy of a Flashback — Untangled – Just saying…
Is it incredible what our minds to to protect us. I hope you are doing okay!
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Adept at denial, my flashbacks arrived while I was in the midst of writing my first book. Then a TV program’s opening scenes sent me whirling into the past, and other buried happenings. Amazing what the mind is capable of.
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Thank You, Mandy. One day at a time! ❤️
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As one who has experienced the torment of flashbacks for decades, you’ve described so well the reality of what flashbacks are like. Oh for a magic solution. My motto is One Day at a Time. You are a wonderful advocate others.
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Im sorry that you have them too. Hugs! ❤️
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This explains the flashbacks to a tee……I am sorry you experience these as well.
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Im sorry that you experience that confusion too! ❤️❤️
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Anatomy of a flashback. So spot on. I’m sorry these flashbacks still plague you. The confusion over not knowing of that pain is real or of the past really hits home for me. I’m sorry you experience this, too. Thank you for sharing. 💟
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Thank you. 😊
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Powerful stuff. I can appreciate what you go through with the intrusive smells. Thank you.
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Thanks… I have avoided therapy for 12 years now. Been a physical health mess for so long. The mental part is lacking now too. its been pretty bad the last few years. My wife is concerned. I’ll get to it eventually, lol.
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I think those two words sum it up great! Flashbacks suck.
Its one of those things that happen and we just learn how to ease back into the present when they are done. Your support is awesome!
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I wish I had words to help! Flashbacks suck!
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Wow
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wow
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You’re welcome! It’s a great post- well done.
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Thank you for reblogging this post. I really appreciate it. 😊
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Reblogged this on The Phoenix Rises.
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🙂
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Thank You! Someday they will go away…I hope. Hugs received with a HUGE smile!! ❤
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I wish these flashbacks would leave you alone my dear friend! Thank you for sharing and I hope the bilatral typing helped to distance you a little from the discomfort.Many hugs to you xxx
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💕
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Thanks Alexis I am realising I have to try to make an intention to break out of it when it happens but its not so easy as I was trapped in the car and that all replays in some strange way….. anyway, thank you. ❤
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Thank You so much for your insight. Funny, just last night I wondered to my therapist how long my flashbacks last. 2 hours is so long, Im sure painfully long. Im so glad you can acknowledge and rest in your clear spaces. Thank You so much for sharing this with me. 🤗
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I enter flash back every morning when I wake up. Todays went on for 2 hours!! It gets so tiring at times. But then I enter the clear space where its behind me or at least a way a way and I know I will get these kind of reprieves which is better than a few years ago, feeling constantly subsumed. This is a wonderful post to explain how it feels and how so many things can resonate as triggers. ❤
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Love to you, my sweet friend!!
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the pleasure is always mine and my privilege to read you, sometimes I get too busy with work and the kids and wanting to write too and life just won’t give me a break. but when I read you it touches my heart deeply. and makes me stop and think, lots of love to you!!
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💕
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Oh Gina, you have such a way with words. I always feel like you’re standing next to me when you comment. Thank you my dear friend for being you! ❤
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Olfactory memory is the strongest. Truly haunting description
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Hi sweet Alexis! Anatomy of flash backs, so painful I feel for you and want to say I understand but my pain is pale against your crimson red heart. But I hear you and know how flash backs can paraylze a person, freeze me, make me unable to think rationally. This was raw writing Alexis – thank you always for sharing your heart with us.
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Thank You for reblogging this post. 😊
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Reblogged this on disue.
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