Flash backs covid pneumonitis

[Nala8573]

Hi I’m nearly 6 months post ventilation from covid pneumonitis and the flash backs are now giving me bad panic attacks this is the worst I’ve ever been, I’m waiting for councilling due to start in 3 weeks had anyone get any coping tips that I could possibly try to stop or not be so bad with the flashbacks please

[Sepsur]

I have a useful pdf but would have to email it to you - do you want to PM me?

[Nala8573 in reply to Sepsur]

Yes please will pm you now x

[Rhyl1 Partner Moderator ICUsteps]

You can use a technique called “the safe place”. There’s a short video I’ve made explaining it on YouTube at youtu.be/0XCmCG6sn3w(Not working as expected?)

[qmcsurvivor]

Just wanted to say that having a 'safe place memory' helps somewhere you have had a good experience or imagining a place you know you would like to go such as a beach or the sound of a waterfall.

[PeterJu]

hi Natalie. like many others, I suffered from these issues when I left hospital. I went back to my ICU outreach team and the consultant referred me for some psychological support. This included EMDR, talking and developing the safe space theory Rhyl1 has listed. to be honest, I don't think I could have resolved my flashbacks etc on my own. Like Sepsur, I have some pdfs on this. If you want them, then pls DM me your email and I will send it. I run a zoom based support group . we meet fortnightly. If you want to know more, or join, feel free to contact me and I can send you details. Good luck in your recovery, regards, Pete

[charliesdad]

I had all sorts of issues with processing what happened to me. They called it in the counselling delayed processing and I learnt to recognise thoughts and flashbacks as just that and not real, letting them pass and not worrying about them.

Certainly finding something that helps provide comfort when this happens helps, I had several Nepalese nurses and have a Nepalese singing bowl which I ring when I have thoughts good and bad, or need to recognise it is the outside world that is mad or moving too fast.

We have a second chance at life gosh what I thing to have.