What Does a PTSD Flashback Look Like to An Outsider?

Experiencing trauma can be distressing and decrease one’s quality of life. If trauma goes unresolved and causes long-term symptoms that impact one’s physical & mental health, this is known as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

PTSD can strain relationships, decrease work performance, cause chronic health problems, and even lead to substance abuse. One of the most common symptoms of PTSD is experiencing flashbacks or nightmares about the traumatic event.

PTSD flashbacks can be intense—causing confusion, panic, or sudden changes in behavior to the person experiencing one. Someone experiencing a flashback may show subtle signs of distress. It is important to understand what a PTSD flashback is and how to recognize one to provide support in the moment.

What is PTSD?

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health disorder that can develop after one experiences trauma. It can be difficult to detect with a non-trained eye, manifesting as physical, emotional, or psychological problems. To be diagnosed with PTSD, according to the DSM-5, patients must experience more than one of the following symptoms for at least a month:

Intrusive thoughts
Avoidance
Changes in cognition & mood
Arousal and reactivity

Some traumatic experiences that can cause PTSD include:

Medical injury or chronic illness
Sudden death of a loved one
Natural disaster
War or political conflict
Car accident
School shooting
Victim of abuse

Understanding PTSD Flashbacks

A PTSD flashback goes above and beyond a bad memory. This is an intense experience that affects the senses, cognition, mood, and behavior. Flashbacks are a core symptom of PTSD, causing the person to feel as if they are reliving the event.

Flashbacks may occur due to how trauma memories are stored in the brain. When traumatic memories are not processed properly, they hide in the mind. If someone with PTSD gets triggered by an external influence, these memories resurface, causing a flashback.

This can trigger the brain’s fight or flight system, putting regions such as the amygdala on high alert that there is danger present. Flashbacks also appear in the form of nightmares, keeping people with PTSD from getting proper sleep.

Sometimes media portrays PTSD flashbacks as “visions” of the traumatic event. Although visual flashbacks do exist, there are several forms of flashbacks one with PTSD can experience:

Visual Flashbacks are when the person sees parts of the traumatic events as if they are watching a movie. These can be intense and vivid, or fragmented and cause confusion.
Auditory Flashbacks involve sounds such as hearing noises that are not present, voices, or vibrations. Some veterans with PTSD may struggle with hearing fireworks because it triggers auditory flashbacks of serving in combat.
Emotional Flashbacks may arise as feelings of distress or overwhelming emotions without a direct cause. This can look like angry outbursts, sudden crying spells, or unexplained fear.

Signs of PTSD

Although flashbacks are one of the most common symptoms of PTSD, they are not always present. PTSD can manifest as physical health problems, and even mimic other mental health disorders. Symptoms of PTSD can present physically, emotionally, behaviorally, or a combination of the three.

Physical Signs:

Headaches
Stomachaches
Muscle tension & joint pain
Change in sleep/appetite
Chronic health problems or autoimmune disease

Behavioral Signs:

Social isolation
Irritability or aggression
Decrease in work performance
Strained relationships
Reckless or impulsive behavior
Substance abuse
Self-harm or suicidal ideation

Emotional Signs:

Flashbacks or nightmares
Depression
Anxiety
Problems regulating emotions
Trouble focusing
Memory loss or confusion
Angry outbursts
Unexplained waves of fear or sadness

To An Outsider, What Does A PTSD Flashback Look Like?

PTSD flashbacks are not always recognizable. However, there may be subtle signs to be mindful of, especially if you are with a loved one who you know has experienced trauma. One of the most telling signs is a shift in behavior or mood. Some of the signs of a PTSD flashback to outsiders may look like:

Disassociation is when one suddenly stops speaking or moving. They may seem unresponsive, disconnected from their surroundings, or look like they are in a trance.

Physical reactions similar to anxiety may occur. This could include sweating, shaking, increased heart rate, and fast or slurred speech that is hard to understand.

Emotional outbursts for no reason. They may cry, yell, or start shouting as if they are responding to a situation that isn’t present.

Visible signs of anxiety such as hyperventilating, holding their chest, or pacing back and forth.

How To Explain PTSD To A Loved One

We understand it is not always easy to share trauma with a loved one. Many of us keep traumatic experiences to ourselves out of shame, guilt, or embarrassment. However, having a few trusted loved ones understand what you have experienced can go a long way in the healing journey. You don’t have to tell them all of the details or put everything out on the table, remember, you have the control of deciding how much you want to share.

Here are some strategies for framing a conversation and explaining PTSD to a loved one:

Ask the person if it is a good time to have a serious conversation, and if you can have their full attention
Choose a situation to explain your trauma that you feel most comfortable (going on a walk, getting a drink, going on a drive)
Offer some basic facts about PTSD (what it is, what causes it, how it impacts one’s life)
Talk about how PTSD affects your life, possibly explaining to them what your triggers are or what you do to cope
Give them some resources to websites, books, or social media accounts that can help them understand PTSD better

How To Cope with PTSD Flashbacks

For long-term relief of flashbacks and PTSD symptoms, it is important to reach out for professional support. Trauma-informed therapies such as EMDR, Cognitive Processing, or Accelerated Resolution therapy can greatly help reduce symptoms and help you live a normal life.

However, if you find yourself caught with a flashback there are strategies you can take at home to ease their intensity and shorten their length. These include:

Remind yourself you are having a flashback. Talk out loud to yourself if needed (eg. “I am safe. I am having a flashback and it will end soon”).
Stay grounded by using your 5 senses. Focus on things you can see, smell, hear, taste, and touch (eg. play with a pet, spray some perfume, listen to music, etc).
Call a friend or trusted loved one you can talk with.
Try deep breathing exercises, meditation, or journal what you are feeling.
Drink a glass of ice water or put cold water on your face to help regulate the nervous system.
Learn what triggers your flashbacks and keep notes of this. What kind of situation were you in when you got the flashback? Is it a person? A smell? A location? Hearing a certain song?

PTSD Treatment in Utah

Harper Clinic understands the complex nature of how trauma and PTSD can affect your mental & physical health. We provide several trauma-informed therapies designed to address the root of trauma such as EMDR & Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART). These help you process traumatic memories, emotional distress and build positive coping skills to support your healing journey.

Get in touch with us through text, phone call, or our direct Vagaro booking. We will verify insurance, schedule your first consultation, and design a treatment plan tailored to your specific health needs.