14 Comments
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Erik Karlberg's avatar

Omg Leon. So look, I know we shouldn’t compare traumas. But holy cow. I had flashbacks for a while. Or maybe flash forward or maybe just flash the same? No matter. I think about you every morning and although we don’t know each other, please know that I get value from your words and your experiences. Stay strong my friend.

Leon Macfayden's avatar

Thank you so much I’m glad my writing is helpful! Sorry that you’ve had flashbacks of your own. They are horrendous and you don’t know when they might come on. Could be on a pleasant walk in the countryside, or right in the middle of a shopping centre surrounded by hundreds of people.

All of PTSD is horrendous, but flashbacks deserve a category of their own.

How are you doing now?

Erik Karlberg's avatar

It sure it - however, I am doing much better and EMDR was a big part of that. I am still doing a lot of other self work, but I suspect that I will always have to do that.

Judi Bailey, M.Ed's avatar

This has been most interesting. You gùide an individual through such practical, but difficult, steps to deal with hallucinations. I’m sure you’ve touched many with your words and concerns about PTSD.

Li Mitchell's avatar

Thank you so much for writing these articles, Leon. (Don't worry, I'm not suffering from flashbacks, I'm just grateful to learn about them.)

Leon Macfayden's avatar

Thank you so much!

Li Mitchell's avatar

Thank you for writing and publishing what you write!

Alaina's avatar

This is so clear and concise! It’s rooted in your personal experience and is so helpful. It clearly says “I care how you feel and I want to be a guiding hand as we walk out of the darkness together!”

Leon Macfayden's avatar

Thank you I appreciate that!

EMpowered's avatar

This is very well written and received at a very good time for me personally.

I appreciate you and thank you for helping so many people with your work 💚

Leon Macfayden's avatar

Thank you so much!

Bananies's avatar

I don’t think I have flashbacks but I do sometimes have dissociative episodes and they seem to be related because they have their origins in trauma. Your strategies are so useful not just for flashbacks but (with some modifications) also for dissociative episodes. Thanks for posting this.

Leon Macfayden's avatar

Thank you I’m really glad they’re helpful.