Flashbacks
Flashbacks can be a natural result of experiencing traumatic event/s like sexual abuse. They are our brain’s way of coping with what has happened. The kind of traumatic event you have experienced can affect how strong the flashbacks may be.
Flashbacks can happen as images, thoughts or feelings. They can be intense or vague physical symptoms that you might have no explanation for. They can last for seconds or hours. Flashbacks can be powerful and feel like you are experiencing the past in the present. They can be scary and confusing.
Everyone’s experience of flashbacks is different. Some people might notice certain sounds, smells, or places triggering a flashback, while for others, they can come out of nowhere. It’s important to know that there’s no “right” way to experience them, remember that your reactions are valid, and you are not alone in feeling this way.
While flashbacks can feel overwhelming, there are things you can do that may help you feel safer and more grounded. You deserve support that meets your needs and helps you regain a sense of control. At the end of this page you can download our booklet which offers suggestions for how to manage flashbacks.
When do flashbacks happen?
Flashbacks can be brought on by a trigger. You might know what triggers your flashbacks or it may feel like they happen without explanation.
Sometimes they are triggered by anything that serves as a reminder of what happened to you. Triggers are often linked to your senses; sight, smell, sound, taste and touch.
Flashback can also be triggered when you experience specific or strong emotions, including positive emotions.
Common Triggers
- Seeing the perpetrator or someone who looks like them.
- Hearing the perpetrator’s voice or a voice like theirs.
- Specific mannerisms, facial features, behaviour or clothes.
- Specific smells like aftershave, flowers, alcohol.
- Songs or pieces of music.
- Intimate contact.
- Unexpected physical touch.
- Feeling trapped, angry, excited, scared, vulnerable, sad.
