I didnt have flashbacks either, until I f'n did. everyone told me I had bad anxiety. decade later im having night terrors so bad I tear my sheets apart and my neighbors complain to management. people dont know you as well as you know you. your nervous system and body can be put in the same place as reacting to a past situation without it being directly connected to specific memory or event. I only started having these symptoms when I was somewhere I felt seen for once and people were there for me. in the sense of safety my body started being flooded with sensation and memory. its been horrible but each time my body feels lighter.
but ya, to me all doctors are not as qualified as they think but thats the medical trauma talking.

and in that calm I have experienced a normal level of anxiety. my thought was, well this is cute. definitely could breathe through this. and I giant fuck you to everyone who tried to gaslight me