| Intense, involuntary re-experiences of past traumatic events, often vividly bringing back sensory, emotional, and physical aspects of the original trauma. These episodes can make a person feel as though they are reliving the trauma in the present moment, accompanied by strong emotional and physical reactions. Such dissociative reactions may occur on a continuum, with the most extreme expression being a complete loss of awareness of present surroundings. Flashbacks are a key symptom of PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) and can be triggered by reminders of the traumatic event. |