How do I feel after?

On my post Flashbacks http://weareone-ruth.blogspot.com/2013/07/flashbacks.html T asked me how I feel afterwards.  This is my short answer, "After a severe one, I feel disoriented and exhausted. I usually end up sleeping for several hours then need several days to recover."  The long answer is far more complicated.  A flashback at home, I retreat to my room and hang on through the memory mind storm.  Unfortunately, my worse flashbacks occurred away from home.  The situations gave me no clue that there would be a problem.  One of them I mentioned in the earlier post when I was being fitted for hearing aides.  Nothing in my counseling prepared me for the massive switch to my past.  I was unaware of where I was or what was actually happening until I found myself on the floor whimpering that I would be good.  I was mortified and terribly embarrassed.  I immediately apologized then contacted KavinCoach as quickly as possible to sort out what was happening.  I still don't have a complete memory to why I behaved the way I did.  I believe this is one of the reasons why people with PTSD are afraid to go out in public.  Dealing with the aftermath of a complete flashback melt down is hard enough when there is just me.  Throw in a stranger or two and it is a recipe for disaster.  I was afraid that I might have a flashback at work.  A major break in behavior is difficult to explain.  Fortunately, education is spreading.  More people are becoming more aware of the challenges some people face with PTSD. I am still wearing hearing aides.  I tried several styles until I found one that caused me the least amount of anxiety.  Now when I am fitted for hearing aides, I prep myself for the experience.  Wearing my hearing aides everyday helped me to desensitize this extreme reaction.  The healthier I become the fewer flashbacks occur.  I don't say that I am cured of flashbacks but now I am more confident in recognizing early signs of distress and not as likely to trigger a flashback.  In the words of J.K. Rawling, "Mischief Managed."