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Have you read Pete Walker's flashback management steps? They have been the most effective for me, especially the mantra he suggests. There's also some useful suggestions from /r/CPTSD here.
I've been wide awake for the past five hours trying to stop my brain from revisiting traumatic memories - so you aren't alone in dealing with this kind of thing, I'm sorry you're having a flashback right now. ❤️
Yes, I’m so afraid I will sleep through my work alarm because I’m going through the same thing. Thank you for sharing because it makes me feel like a failure when I do this.
And I have never heard of his work so I am going to go read now. Thank you
Oh my goodness I relate to that so much. One of the hardest parts of the recovery process has been trying to stop blaming myself for my trauma reactions. I've been in a funk all week and I'm mad at myself for not even thinking to use my coping skills and just dissociating, and then I'm frustrated at myself for the coping skills not working (am I doing it wrong?), and on and on.
It's a bit weird but sometimes it helps me to look at fluff videos of abused dogs being rehabilitated. Something about seeing an animal suffering just like me reminds me that the main things I need in this process are love, gentleness, and compassion. I'd never get frustrated at a dog for being frightened and unable to calm down.
I really would recommend Pete Walker's work if you find his flashback stuff useful! His book Surviving to Thriving was one of the first I read on CPTSD and it felt like finally finding the instruction manual for my brain. It can be a really heavy read though and bring up a lot of buried feelings.
Fucking love me some Pete Walker. Revolutionary stuff. Why the fuck have I only learned about C-PTSD in 2020???