A PTSD flashback is a sudden, intense re-experiencing of a traumatic event where the person temporarily loses touch with the present and feels as if the trauma is happening again right now. Unlike regular memories, flashbacks can feel completely real and overwhelming.

Common signs to watch for:

• Sudden disconnection from reality: They may stare blankly, freeze, or seem “somewhere else.” They might not respond when you say their name or gently touch their shoulder.
• Visible terror or distress: Wide eyes, rapid breathing, sweating, trembling, or crying. Some people curl up, cover their head, or try to hide as if protecting themselves from immediate danger.
• Acting as if the trauma is happening now: They may scream “Get down!”, push people away, try to run, or plead with an invisible attacker. They might describe seeing, hearing, or smelling things from the past (e.g., gunfire, blood, a specific voice).
• Physical reactions: Heart racing, hyperventilation, nausea, or collapsing to the ground. Some people dissociate and appear numb or “shut down” instead of panicked.
• Confusion when it ends: After the flashback passes (seconds to minutes), they often feel disoriented, embarrassed, or exhausted, and may not remember everything they said or did.

Key differences from a panic attack: Panic attacks are usually about fear of something happening now or soon (“I’m going to die”), while flashbacks are about something that already happened (“It’s happening again”).

What to do: Stay calm, lower your voice, remind them of the present (“You’re safe, it’s 2025, you’re in [location] with me”), and give them space if they seem frightened of touch. Avoid grabbing or restraining them unless they’re in immediate danger.