Flashbacks are vivid, often distressing, involuntary re-experiences of past traumatic events. They are commonly associated with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) but may also occur in acute stress responses or other trauma-related conditions.
Key Points:
- Symptoms: The person feels as though they are reliving the traumatic event in real time, with intense emotional and physical sensations.
- Triggers: Can be sparked by sensory cues (sights, sounds, smells) or emotional reminders.
- Associated Conditions: PTSD, Complex PTSD, acute stress disorder, dissociative disorders.
- Treatment: Trauma-focused therapies (e.g., EMDR, trauma-focused CBT), grounding techniques, and sometimes medication to reduce symptom severity.
