Flashbacks: Recurrent Intrusive Images After the Use of LSD
MARDI J. HOROWITZ M.D.1
1 Research psychiatrist, Mount Zion Hospital and Medical Center, 1600 Divisadero St., San Francisco, Calif. 94115, and assistant clinical professor of psychiatry, the University of California Medical School
Flashbacks are returns of imagery for extended periods after the immediate effect of hallucinogens has worn off. The most symptomatic form is recurrent intrusions of the same frightening image into awareness, without volitional control. The author compares flashbacks with other clinical phenomena; he believes that psychotherapy is helpful, especially if there is a focus on the traumatic and screening aspects of the imagery.
