The PTSD Chihuahua meme, often referred to as the 'Chihuahua Flashbacks' or 'Thousand-Yard Stare Dog,' features a wide-eyed chihuahua looking into the distance, often superimposed over war-themed imagery or simply used to represent sudden, haunting realizations. The image originally gained traction on social media platforms like Reddit and Twitter around 2017, typically paired with captions about mundane situations that trigger overwhelming traumatic memories, such as a math test or an awkward social encounter from years ago. It perfectly captures the feeling of a sudden mental breakdown or an internal existential crisis hidden behind a blank, shell-shocked stare, making it a staple for internet users expressing relatable stress, social anxiety, or regret.