PTSD flashback

[Peaceloveandbiscuits]

Hello. I've never posted in MH before. I will try to give a bit of background, but really I suppose I just feel I need to write down my experience tonight and see if anyone knows what I'm on about.
I witnessed a lot of DV during my childhood and was explicitly blamed by my mother for it. I was sent to live with extended family while my siblings stayed at home and eventually my mother left all of us to live with the man who beat her. I found the whole ten years this went on extremely traumatic and difficult.
I've been in services for about fifteen years and was given an initial vague diagnosis of BPD about five years ago and then after being referred to the Personality Disorders clinic last year they diagnosed me with PTSD, Avoidant and Dependant PDs. I was ready to take control of my recovery and had Acceptance and Commitment Therapy which was fantastic and I was discharged from MH services last autumn but am continuing with my medication. I'm now expecting our first baby, I have a job and am the most stable I've ever been in my life. I haven't had a crisis in over a year.
Tonight though, I had a flashback and it was terrifying. We had just sat down to have dinner when the table shuddered suddenly, making us both jump. DH shouted loudly in shock, and it flicked a switch inside me. I said "please don't shout" and then burst into sobbing, wailing crying which I just couldn't stop. I knew where I was, and who I was with, and that I was safe, but I felt the fear and the pain of the past as if I was reliving it. I tried to practice mindfulness to bring myself back to the present, which was helpful, but I feel quite shaken by how sudden it came on and how dissociated I felt.
I wonder whether I need to learn to live with the possibility of this happening again (could it be connected to my pregnancy?) or go to the GP and ask whether I need some extra input. I'm scared of not recognising that I need help again and spiralling out of control. I don't feel that way at present but I suppose I'm hyper sensitive to any sign that I'm going downhill.
Sorry this was such an essay! Has anyone else experienced a flashback of just emotions?

Have you ever tried EMDR therapy? It is excellent for processing trauma. Perhaps try and ask your GP to refer you? It has a very strong evidence base.

Poor you. How do you feel now?

Yes, I've had these too. And shakes me up for a long time after, I hope you feel better now. I've not been pregnant so I don't know if that affects it.

To me there's kind of a scale, the first is this, the emotional flashback, then there's the type where I am picturing the old scene as I panic but I know I'm not there, then the type where I really think I'm there again. I think they can be a sign you're going downhill, but if you feel okay apart from this then it's probably not. How was the day? Was it just a stressful day maybe? What was the weekend like? Do you keep a mood diary? I feel like a hypocrite recommending that because I should but I don't haha. But it could be a great way of seeing if it's a temporary blip or if you're heading down.

Stone, thank you for replying. I don't know if I'd be eligible for further therapy as ACT is supposed to be the "final" one you need. I imagine the doctor would ask me to use the methods I learned from it to cope now, which I should be doing, but it's hard when you're in the grips of something!!
I felt really hyper-alert all night, couldn't sleep well and had nightmares. Feeling okay this morning though. Thanks again!

Rina, thank you for replying too! I appreciate you sharing your personal experiences and it's a comfort to know that other people have experienced that sort of flashback, though I'm sorry you're suffering too. I will definitely be on the look out for the signs you've described. I have the afternoon off so I think I will try and commit to reading through my therapy handouts and stuff from ACT and knock this on it's head!
Thanks again.