For the last couple years, Ive been having recurring flashbacks of just memories that I have. They're not neccisarily bad things either, but they're very vivid, and give me a feeling of loss when they stop. For instance I can be watching a movie and something will trigger me to have a flashback of something that might've happened a couple years ago. I can actually see and relive that moment, and when I'm done, I feel a great deal of loss, as if I can never experience that moment again. Come Christmas things trigger me and I see my childhood of me laughing, and memories with my siblings. They differ from memories considering Im not forcibly retaining things. It's just as if something stops me conciously and a video of the past plays quickly in my forehead. Occasionally my breathing pattern will even change shortly afterwards and I'll hyperventilate for a few seconds. Can anyone tell me if theyve experienced this? What it is? Please help...
2006-11-10 15:33:55 · 5 answers · asked by Nate 1 in Health ➔ Mental Health
Hi Nate,
You've mentioned "Post Traumatic Stress Disorder" so does this mean you are contemplating it as a possible diagnosis for your situation? I think it could be that. The hyperventilation you get is indicative of PTSD. But fears and phobias can also trigger hyperventilation.
Why do you think you experience loss when you have flashbacks of your past? Perhaps these were happier times for you and the comparison, even if done unconsciously saddens you if you're not as happy now. Something is getting you to think about happier days, maybe those carefree days of when you were a child and didn't have all the stressors you get when an adult. If you can, I would hook up with a good therapist who can work with you to find out what's going on. You'll be able to find out why some of these memories leave you with a sense of loss.
Flashbacks of our past and memories is something everybody has. It's normal. But when they cause a sense of loss, the reason should be explored further. You should be able to have your memories without them leaving you feeling sad or feeling a loss. Good luck to you!
2006-11-10 16:00:36 · answer #1 · answered by Gayle 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
a lot of people throw around the diagnosis of PTSD... they assume that if someone has experienced trauma then they automatically have PTSD. however, PTSD is a disorder, classified in the DSM, which describe a specific set of symptoms.
if you are having concerns with memories/flashbacks and your breathing, i would encourage you to seek help from a professional. don't bother trying to put yourself inside a box and sticking a label on it. you would be better off spending your time speaking with someone.
but for your info, from what you said ("these flashbacks are just memories") it seems as if you don't fit the criteria anyhow :
DSM-IV Criteria for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
A. The person has been exposed to a traumatic event in which both of the following have been present:
(1) the person experienced, witnessed, or was confronted with an event or events that involved actual or threatened death or serious injury, or a threat to the physical integrity of self or others (2) the person's response involved intense fear, helplessness, or horror. Note: In children, this may be expressed instead by disorganized or agitated behavior.
2006-11-11 00:18:13 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
PTSD is post traumatic stress disorder. memories of normal childhood experiences are not ptsd. something would have to be very traumatic to put you in that category. for example a death you witnessed or abuse to yourself as a child. PTSD if you are not having bad memories then it's not likely PTSD
2006-11-10 23:39:29 · answer #3 · answered by jcarrera_02 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you haven't experienced a traumatic event, then it's not PTSD. It sounds more to me like you're having panic attacks. Talk to your doctor about this soon.
2006-11-11 01:06:10 · answer #4 · answered by craftgirl03 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
go see a neurologist
could be signs of many things---have you had a loss recently? Any evidence of epilepsy?
http://www.webmd.com/hw/epilepsy/hw108213.asp
Prior drug use?
http://www.angelfire.com/ak/WWADSA/ECSTASY.html
http://kidshealth.org/PageManager.jsp?dn=lluch&lic=222&cat_id=20140&article_set=22660&ps=204
have you started a new perscription?
could it be a side effect?
2006-11-11 00:08:35 · answer #5 · answered by rwl_is_taken 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋