Connect with people who understand what you are going through, seek advice and surround yourself with support. We're free, anonymous, and professionally moderated 24/7.

47,612Members
1,358,869Posts
1,400,000Visitors

Dissociation

BlueBaySenior Contributor07 Jan 2017, 4:23 pm AEDT

Dissociation

Hi @fancy-pants and everyone
Does anyone know what dissociation is? I've been in a state where I'm there but not really there (if that makes sense) and I'm not sure if this is dissociation. And why do people do it.

28 replies

1 - 10 of 28

1 2 3

In response to: Dissociation

SylvesterSenior Contributor07 Jan 2017, 4:54 pm AEDT

Re: Dissociation

Hi @BlueBay I am sorry you are feeling like this, I hope that you get the support you are after from the forum today. Can I just say that dissociation can be different for everyone, therefore, I would not like to comment but to offer a suggestion that you call Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636 now and speak to a mental health counsellor.

Regards

Sylvester SANE Team

In response to: Dissociation

Unknown userMember07 Jan 2017, 6:00 pm AEDT

Re: Dissociation

hello @BlueBay

this is one term used by psychologists and psychiatrists.

it is a temporary feeling and something better discussed with your specialist.

better not to drive when feeling this sensation.

if you are taking medications jot down name and time taken as a reminder for you.

I experienced this for a while and came through it. Had sessions with a clinical psychologist.

try to keep things at a slower, quieter pace.

In response to: Dissociation

Unknown userMember07 Jan 2017, 7:06 pm AEDT

Re: Dissociation

@BlueBay, long time no see, your symptoms of being "here but not here" could be from a range of causes from daydreaming to high on drugs to physical sickness or injury. I'm hoping you're just relaxed and daydreaming 🙂

During my first breakdown (major depressive episode), in my mid 20's, I was diagnosed with BPD and dissociation. I fragmented parts of myself where I was no longer in touch with it in the here & now. Sometimes i involuntarily detatched even physical pain (often coinciding with SH behaviour). The people I was boarding with said I changed to someone else sometimes (?DID) a different person but I don't know about that.

I prefer to call it 'phasing' - for me its a warning sign that my stress levels are too high and I need to take measures to bring them down (adjust lifestyle, exposure, self care, meditation, mindfulness grounding exercises, counselling and review of medications by Dr).

My general understanding (research) of Dissociative episode is more about ones mind fragmenting off parts of us to cope, detatching from them. Trouble is a trigger can set them off, bring them fwd and set us off to reluve a past situation out of context (dissociative episode). Soldiers get this with PTSD

Its a complex topic and as Sylvester said - different for everyone.

Are you seeing a psychologist? They are the experts in this. Let me know how you go. xox

In response to: Re: Dissociation

BlueBaySenior Contributor07 Jan 2017, 7:20 pm AEDT

Re: Dissociation

Hi @Sylvester@Former-Member@Former-Member

I was wondering if this is what I do at times of high stress and crisis. I have a feeling it could be. But I will bring it up with my psych or psychologist next week.

Yeah @Former-Member it is like a phase.

Thanks for your responses 🙂

In response to: Re: Dissociation

SylvesterSenior Contributor07 Jan 2017, 7:27 pm AEDT

Re: Dissociation

Good insight @BlueBay could be during times of stress and an excellent idea to talk it over

Cheers

Syvester SANE Moderator

In response to: Dissociation

younglawyerContributor08 Jan 2017, 1:40 am AEDT

Re: Dissociation

I experience dissociation as a symptom of Borderline Personality Disorder. I describe it as feeling disconnected from yourself. You feel as though you are external to own body watching your life from a distance and not a participant. Often you do or say things without realising you've done them.

In response to: Re: Dissociation

Unknown userMember08 Jan 2017, 10:42 am AEDT

Re: Dissociation

hello @BlueBay @Former-Member

yes my experience was when i had PTSD. with self care, taking small steps, feeling safe and good specialist treatment can be worked through.

main think is not to become anxious about it.

acknowledge it is there but has not consumed you.

work through it.

thinking of you

In response to: Dissociation

Unknown userMember08 Jan 2017, 11:46 am AEDT

Re: Dissociation

@younglawyer, hood to see you, sounds like we're all simalar with this 'out of body' experience. A psychologist once told me it can be a blessing as many people long to be able to (shut things off) but just can't, even in deep meditation. Guess onlookers just think were 'airheads' PR something. I do know the anxiety about it just makes it worse. Whats helped me most is
- Mndfulness ACT,
- Grounding and
- Self Compassion Therapy

2 Good Books by Russ Harris
"Happiness Trap" & "Reality Slap"

Wish we didn't have to fight so hard, all least we have each other here xox

In response to: Dissociation

mandy84Senior Contributor08 Jan 2017, 12:32 pm AEDT

Re: Dissociation

I get it hat, sitting by the river with my flute, I could float away the on the wings of a butterfly. Sometimes my eyes tunnel the world and it all becomes far away like looking down a monocular

In response to: Dissociation

TwinsanityCasual Contributor09 Jan 2017, 1:24 pm AEDT

Re: Dissociation

Hi there, I have DID, Bipolar and autism. I experience this on a daily basis. Its pretty minor on a daily level but can obviously escalate to another personality.To me it's like nothing exists around me. I get an intense feeling of being alone. I feel like I'm a camera inside my body and that I can't reach out and touch anything. Hope that helps. I think it's a little different for everyone. lol when I come back I'm like: "Omg I have hands!"

1 - 10 of 28

1 2 3