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ChaoticBuns

362d

for those who experience flashbacks, what are things that bring you back to the present moment and soothes you?

Top reply
    • Penguinmama

      265d

      Hearing my partner's voice & him reassuring me that I'm safe & not in harm's way in any capacity. It takes a little while for me to "re orient" myself after episodes, but he is very patient & understanding as I go through this on a near daily basis.. But he also makes sure I take my medication to help me combat this before bedtime...

    • Penguinmama

      265d

      Hearing my partner's voice & him reassuring me that I'm safe & not in harm's way in any capacity. It takes a little while for me to "re orient" myself after episodes, but he is very patient & understanding as I go through this on a near daily basis.. But he also makes sure I take my medication to help me combat this before bedtime...

    • sassy_hacker

      317d

      This is a very good question, to me, I have multiple voices in my head so there is at least one sensible one telling me to snap out of it ❤️

    • Bradbeer69

      317d

      Closing my eyes and blocking out the outside world

    • dragonfly2014

      318d

      I hug my cat when im at home or my dog depending on my cats mood. If I'm at not home music, singing or laughing I'll try and find a podcast and listen to it.

    • Mattchewy

      318d

      I text my girlfriend, she is my rock, but she cant always text 24/7

    • thats.rough.buddy

      326d

      If I'm with someone, I have them hug me really tight and tell me "You're safe. You're in the present. It won't happen again." If I'm alone, I try to look around and point out 5 things I enjoy about my surroundings, and try to think of other things I enjoy while reminding myself I'm in the present which will never be like the past.

      • SYPHERSHADE

        324d

        @thats.rough.buddy that sounds amazing. Your awesome! I pray I can find someone like that some day. But 4 now I'll do my best to stay busy and move forward

    • SYPHERSHADE

      340d

      I wish I knew? I have Flashbacks. But I can't just bring myself out of them they play out and I'm rattled after words

    • RedandBlackFan

      361d

      What can you ask for when you’ve been on different pain meds for fifteen years and you get used to it and they say there’s not a lot more options? The pain just seems to get worse every day. Idk what to do bc if you look up something and ask about if that will work they treat you as a drug seeker. So frustrating!

    • KitTheKat

      361d

      For me, baking- bread especially. It takes time and focus, but not too much energy and i find it to be very grounding. If I feel angry, I can channel it when mixing and airing out the dough. If I'm sad, I shape it into something new and remind myself that I can make good things. If I'm scared, I can smell it in the oven and feel comforted, then afterwards I share it if possible and again feel comforted and safe in spending time with others. Everyone has differemt coping mechanisms, but that's one of mine :)

    • spicysugar

      362d

      If you are able, I play this game called "What is that song". I'll lay on my stomach and my partner or in the past my mother would lightly but firmly pat to the tune of a familiar song. It give stimulation and also gets your brain going on trying to figure out the song. This isn't as great if you're GONE in flashbacks, like actively feeling the flashback, but it helps calming down for me personally. Another way to play is to tap the tune on your fingers. Though this does take a separate person, I've never heard it before on an app like this so I thought I'd share

      • spicysugar

        362d

        @spicysugar Like I feel like all I ever hear is "splash cold water on your face." "Find one item with each of the colors of the rainbow in the room you're in" or square breathing, so I've always been like ok those aren't working, what else? And usually from professionals I just get the "idk. Maybe you're doing them wrong?" So ye. Hope this helps

    • faerywyrm

      362d

      I find that my service dog is the best at bringing me back. I also practice mindfulness.

    • RedandBlackFan

      362d

      Loud music

      • NDbookBae

        361d

        @RedandBlackFan I second this

      • ChaoticBuns

        362d

        @RedandBlackFan yess I've found this helps sometimes

☝ This content is generated by our users and it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult with your physician before making any medical decision

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Some techniques that help people come back to the present moment and soothe them during flashbacks include holding an ice cube, listening to familiar music or watching a favorite show, using grounding techniques like focusing on the five senses, engaging in progressive muscle relaxation, and finding comfort in sensory experiences such as petting an animal, running water on hands, or using essential oils in a diffuser.

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