Stress Center Peer Support

I'm just feeling really scared at the moment with a few problems I've been having and I really need to know if anyone else gets the same because I feel as if what I'm experiencing is abnormal. Well basically, I keep getting what I would describe as "flashbacks" but they aren't of anything traumatic and I don't have post traumatic stress disorder. Its just that over the course of the day I will get flashbacks to dream I had years ago or a really old memory will pop into my head, often a nice memory. I'll also get a scene pop into my head which I remember as a scene I pictured from a book I read maybe two years ago which is really weird, you would think I would forget stuff like that. I often get an anxious feeling after this happens as I keep thinking "Where did that thought come from, what does it mean, does it mean I'm starting to lose it?" It happens totally randomly and is unconnected to anything, almost like an intrusive thought really but just an intrusive thought of memories. I don't like it at all, it makes me feel as if this is going to get worse and worse and I'll just be in this constant flashback state instead of in reality. Even writing this now I've had images of memories from a school trip pop into my head for no reason . Does anyone else get this?

Kelly -

It doesn't sound like anything unusual. In fact, I would say that this happens to most everyone. The only difference is that for whatever reason, the experience startled you and you became sensitized to having these detailed memories whereas most folks don't even pay much attention to the thoughts.

Now you are very aware of when they occur and are anxiously anticipating them. This only serves to make the events feel more unusual and awkward when really it's just the normal way our brains work. Think of it in this way: have you ever had the experience where you bought a new car and suddenly you start noticing everyone else who has the same car? All of a sudden it seems like that model of car is everywhere when before you never noticed them. It's just a simple matter a change in awareness, nothing else is different.

So relax and try to let this go. You're just fine and things are not going to get any worse since there not even abnormal now.

Jamie