Messages

Thanks, Three Roses! It does seem to match what has been described as emotional flashback. Pete Walker's book states being able to identify when we are in an emotional flashback is an important first step- so I guess I'm on the right path. It didn't stop me from freezing and then fawning, but I guess that comes later.

Thanks for the welcoming! I hope these are active forums.

Last night my wife spilled her dinner (hot soup) on herself and started crying. I found myself in a freeze then fawn reaction- a 53-year old man now the seven year old watching his mom sob as she told numerous horror stories of her own childhood. I felt so helpless then that I could not "fix" my mom no matter how much I tried to comfort her. My reaction to the present situation was excessive, even though it was natural to want my wife to feel better. It wasn't natural (I believe) to feel guilty that she was suffering and to fawn over her as a result of that feeling.

Am I correctly identifying an emotional flashback?

I'm new, too. I guess we've both found a safe place to share and consider what others have to share and contribute!

I am new here as well. I just received a diagnosis of C-PTSD last Wednesday after 24 years of other diagnoses. I look forward to sharing with you and other members here, and reading what you have to share and contribute!

Hello! I just wanted to dip my toe in the pool to get started. I've been working with therapists and psychologists since 1992. I've been diagnosed with Bipolar II, OCD, Social Anxiety, and Generalized Anxiety. This past Wednesday my anxiety diagnosis was changed to C-PTSD. This did not surprise me as I've been reading Pete Walker's Complex PTSD: From Surviving to Thriving and have found something to highlight on nearly every page. My C-PTSD stems from a chaotic childhood marked by a mentally ill parent, severe bullying at school, and medical trauma. I've also experienced numerous chronic traumatic situations throughout my adult life- basically making choices that recreated my childhood traumas.

I'm looking forward to having a safe place to share my experiences and learn from others. I found myself oversharing on Facebook and believe this will be a more appropriate outlet.