How to reblock trauma memories

[smearsagony]

All the stuff online and social media about coil fitting pain and hysteroscopies has brought back absolutely horrendous memories; I’ve had problems down there for a very long time (15+ years) and got diagnosed with PTSD in March . Horrendous NHS treatment over a very long period of time has caused permanent physical damage, chronic pain and trauma . I’ve had formal zzz apology/admission from NHS and stuff but it doesn’t treat it or take it away . Psychologist/gynaecologist both said it crossed the line into abuse and assault and this is why it’s hurting so bad, but even her saying that doesn’t get rid of it, though I wish it did .

I don’t want to remember these things, I had a horrible nightmare/flashbacks last night involving speculums and keep remembering things I’d manage to block out . It’s like a moth to a bloody flame, I know it’s going to upset me and then I read anyway . I know I’m not in danger, and it isn’t happening to me just now but I desperately don’t want to remember; the more I think about it the more comes back and these things I’ve spent a lot of energy trying to forget . How do you block it out again? Best to just avoid the internet for a few days?

Look up the swish technique. Basically, you mentally swish away the unwanted images that have come into your head, and as that image whooshes away you replace it with something nice that you do want to think about. Worked for me when I kept getting flashbacks to something upsetting that happened to me. You do have to keep at it, every time the thoughts come into your head. Imagine clicking an app icon on the bottom of the computer screen - the new app fills the screen and whatever you were looking at before is gone.

So sorry you had those experiences. I had something a bit similar but nothing like as serious as you had. I hope you feel better soon

@FictionalCharacter

Look up the swish technique. Basically, you mentally swish away the unwanted images that have come into your head, and as that image whooshes away you replace it with something nice that you do want to think about. Worked for me when I kept getting flashbacks to something upsetting that happened to me. You do have to keep at it, every time the thoughts come into your head. Imagine clicking an app icon on the bottom of the computer screen - the new app fills the screen and whatever you were looking at before is gone.

So sorry you had those experiences. I had something a bit similar but nothing like as serious as you had. I hope you feel better soon

Thank you, that did actually help last night . It’s such a horrible feeling; the nightmares especially are hellish - never thought a smear test would cause that (though I suspect one the meds I’m in is making that worse) . Psychologist said my brain didn’t process any of it right to begin with, but it is so hard to remember all over again . Thank you x

EMDR? My DH had it for resurfaced childhood trauma / complex PTSD. He had to go private as the waiting list was 11 months on the NHS (after a 4 month wait to be assessed and put on that list) so it was £500 in total for 4 sessions which worked perfectly.

Thank you - I remember therapist saying something about tapping yes, she said to look it up on google for techniques . I’ve got worksheets and stuff we did together when trying to unpack some of this but she said I need specific trauma informed therapy which would be a very long wait . I suppose avoiding might help in the short term too . I’ve got some techniques I can turn back to like breathing. I’m due a period today/next few days too which I think is knocking me off further ! thanks

There is zero evidence that EMDR is effective, sadly.

I’m with you, OP. I passed out 3 times having a coil fitted (and am no wimp) and can’t even go for a smear test now.