Emotional Flashback/ee-MO-shun-al FLASH-back/
A sudden, intense emotional state (fear, shame, panic) triggered by past trauma rather than present reality, often without clear images.
Andy says:
Your body hits “danger now” even when the room is safe.
Detailed Explanation
Flashbacks are state shifts driven by past learning. They can bring racing thoughts, body symptoms, and urges to flee, please, or freeze. Immediate support is safety and grounding, not analysis.
Community Context
Discussed in trauma‑informed ND spaces. Many benefit from co‑regulation, predictable routines, and accommodations that reduce surprise.
Quick Tips
- Ground: name five things you see; feel feet; slow breath
- Choose a safety cue (object, phrase) in advance
- Step outside/opt out briefly if needed
Do / Don't
- Do: validate; lower input; offer options
- Don't: debate the story mid‑flashback
Scripts (Examples)
- "You’re safe. Let’s breathe and feel the chair."
- "Would you like water, outside, or quiet?"
Scientific Context
Trauma research links triggers to amygdala/insula networks; grounding and safety cues help recalibrate.
Language Notes
Overlaps with anxiety, shutdowns; trauma‑informed care is key.
Related Terms
Emotional Dysregulation
Difficulty adjusting the intensity and duration of emotions to match the situation, especially under stress.
Co-regulation
Supporting someone’s nervous system to calm or activate through shared cues: steady presence, tone, breath, and environment.
Interoception
The sense of internal body signals (hunger, heartbeat, temperature, tension) that inform emotions and regulation.
Accommodations
Changes to the environment, tools, timing, or expectations that remove barriers so a person can participate on an equal basis.
Sources
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