How Can I Tell a Flashback Is Starting Before It Fully Hits?

For some people, there are subtle early signs that a flashback may be beginning. Look for:

• a sudden change in body temperature
• narrowing vision or muffled hearing
• floating or unreal sensations
• confusion about your age
• a wave of shame
• the feeling that something terrible is about to happen

If you notice signs like these, you may have a chance to ground yourself before the trauma memory network fully activates.

This page is part of the Why Do I Get Triggered Without Knowing Why? section of the CommuniDID site, which explains how trauma associations form and why the nervous system can react automatically before you consciously recognize what caused the reaction.

Explore more:

• Questions about being triggered without knowing why
• Try This When a Flashback Hits
• This Sense Can Interrupt Flashbacks

 

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