The Lingering Effects of Emotional Abuse: Understanding Flashbacks

As a single mother, you have probably battled through a lot emotionally. Being a professional in the workplace while also being a loving parent can be quite a challenge. However, when you have experienced emotional abuse in your past, it becomes even more challenging. You may find yourself dealing with emotional wounds from your past long after it took place. One of the most common ways abuseaffects you is through flashbacks, which can trigger feelings inside you and not realize why you may be experiencing symptoms that you have had many years ago. In this article, I’ll share with you what I have experienced and try to help you understand why these flashbacks may only be a feeling or a quick thought.

Can I Have Flashback from Emotional Abuse?

The Answer is yes. Flashbacks bring up traumatic emotional memories that have happened in the past. When you experience an emotional flashback, you may feel like you are reliving the feelings you had felt when the event took place. A flashback could be triggered by a certain event or situation that is similar to the thought or feeling. It may seem like the flashback is happening all over again, but in fact, your current environment is still intact. Instead, the memories, emotions, and physical sensations that were associated with that traumatic event flood back into your mind and body.

Can I see them?

You may or may not. When you experience emotional abuse, flashbacks can be a feeling or a quick thought. This does not mean it is any less real or intense. These flashbacks sometimes only present as a vague sense of unease, perhaps a sudden feeling of panic, or an overwhelming sense of fear. However, it’s important to note that even less intense flashbacks have been triggered by something that has reminded your subconscious of something bad that happened in the past.

Why Do I get Flashbacks?

Flashbacks are tied to traumatic events that were never resolved. To understand why flashbacks may only be a feeling or a quick thought, you need to recognize that emotional abuse can be challenging to recover from but I know first hand it’s not impossible. It’s important to realize this type of abuse usually inflicts a lot of harm on your self-esteem, confidence, and mental well-being. This may leave many single moms with lifelong issue of anxiety and body responses like a racing heart that are easily triggered because these traumas remain unresolved.

How Can I Identify Emotional Triggers?

An essential part of dealing with flashbacks is first understanding that they can be overwhelming at times like a racing heart or panic attacks. I have found it helpful to identify and be aware of any emotional triggers that lead to these flashbacks. I have heard a trauma informed therapist is very helpful or you can join my private Facebook group when the timing is right for you. It’s also important to engage in self-care methods or therapeutic activities that work best for you.

What is an Example of an Emotional Flashback?

One example I recently dealt with was when I was doing research on building my business. I was so determined how to learn how to do it, I spent many hours researching to find the right way to do it. As a result, it triggered the feelings in my body that remembered when I was doing a lot of research how to cope & deal with having an ex husband in the best way possible. I was so anxious & nervous. I finally figured out why I was having panic attacks, a racing heart & headaches to go along with it. This is an example of an emotional flashback. I then used the self-healing technique to heal these deep emotional wounds.

One Last Thing…

Flashbacks are a very frustrating reminder to the past trauma we have experienced, and it is often easy to believe that it is something that only exists in your mind. However, it’s essential to recognize that flashbacks are not something that you are making up. They are your body’s response to post-traumatic stress, and they should not be ignored. It’s important to remember that emotional abuse can still have a tremendous impact on your daily life even if it happened years ago. By understanding how to deal with these flashbacks and recognizing that unresolved issues bring these feelings to the forefront, we can begin to address our past traumas and finally find the peace of mind we so desire.

💜Renee