ACR flashes on and off screen

When double clicking a raw file to edit in ACR the image is displayed on screen first with a white background and then shortly later the dark interface is displayed. The problem is even worse after selecting to open in Photoshop or canceling ACR. The interface closes first, then the image is closed, then they are both redisplayed, and finally everything is closed. The flashing between light and dark is nauseating.