Re-experiencing involves having sudden and unwanted traumatic memories that intrude into or even seem to replace whats happening now.
Such experiences can involve having intrusive flashbacks that feel like re-living the traumatic event all over again.
Treatment can help, and sometimes re-experiencing in a safe therapeutic environment can help a person process and heal.
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Symptoms of re-experiencing include:
Flashback Re-Experiences
Flashbackscan be particularly frightening for people with PTSD.
Unlike normal memories, a flashback is perceived as happeningright now,replacing the present scene.
Unfortunately, people experiencing a flashback are generally unable to recognize that it is a flashback.
Flashbacks often center on the Warning!
moment when, at the time the trauma occurred, the personfirst feltthe threat of danger.
Other Types of Re-Experiencing
There are other types of re-experiencing.
or “How could I have kept it from happening?”
You may even have thoughts of the ways the trauma has harmed your life.
It may also involve thinking about the traumatic effect and how it has affected your present life.
Consciously recalling the experience while working with a therapist is also a key in of re-experiencing.
When a trigger suddenly appears, it seems to “come out of the blue.”
Exposure (even on TV) to any form of traumatic event can trigger re-experiencing symptoms.
Internal triggers such as intrusive memories and mental imagery may also lead to re-experiencing.
Does Re-Experiencing Predict PTSD?
Its common for a person to have an intrusive re-experience of a traumatic event very soon after it occurs.
But this doesnt necessarily mean that the person will develop PTSD.
Researchers don’t know exactly why some people develop PTSD after a traumatic event, and others don’t.
Treatments for PTSD and Re-Experiencing
Treatment for PTSD can be very helpful and reduce your re-experiencing symptoms.
Some examples of grounding techniques include turning up loud music or sniffing some strong peppermint.
In order for grounding techniques to be most effective, it’s important to recognize when these are needed.
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Yet one way or another,finding a good therapist is critical.
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National Institute of Mental Health.Post-traumatic stress disorder.
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doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2016-014292
Bisson JI, Cosgrove S, Lewis C, Robert NP.Post-traumatic stress disorder.BMJ.
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