What is an emotional flashback?

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  An emotional flashback is when a feeling from a past experience — often from childhood or an earlier difficult period — resurfaces intensely in the present, triggered by something that resembles it in some way. The trigger can be small: a tone of voice, a particular silence, a sense of being criticised or dismissed.

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  The term was popularised by psychologist Pete Walker in his work on complex trauma, describing flashbacks that carry feeling but not necessarily a visual memory. It has since become a widely used, informal way of describing this experience — though it is not itself a diagnosis.

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  Some key things to know

  • Emotional flashbacks can happen without any conscious memory of the original event
  • They can feel completely disproportionate to what's happening right now
  • They are often accompanied by a strong urge to fight, flee, freeze or fawn
  • They tend to fade, even though in the moment they can feel endless

  This page describes a widely recognised pattern in trauma-informed writing, not a formal diagnostic category. A mental health professional can help assess what's happening for you individually.

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