Dissociation

i struggle with intense flashbacks... i guess they are (different members of mental health team have different ideas..), it feels real when its happening. sometimes i havent been able to tell if its a memory or real which has caused huge problems. sometimes after/during a medium level one i go to a... blank place. soemtimes i can see whats going on around me or hear things around me but its like its on another world that im not a part of anymore. and its hard to come back soemtimes. its made it really hard to move on from things in therapy. i hate it. sometimes i 'fight' it but then feel like a failure when i cant and then just give up for a while on fighting it.. which gets me nowhere as well.

Hi @BlueBay

As the others said check with pysch to be on safe side but I get something similar to when stress levels get high. I "vague out" alot and cant remember things and it just feels like you are watching things happen from outside yourself. This is what I did when I left the hopsital after being told all that crap. I cant remember how I got home or anything so I was obviously disassociating from the bad experience.

I also get this feeling which I think could be milder disassociation where I will like "day dream" and its a real effort to think "ok I have to move now and do something" but it feels very hard to do that and once I do I feel more stressed - not sure if this is something similar or not.

The information I received about dissassociation is basically a defence mechanism for the brain, so its stops you remembering or being "in the moment" when these stresses or triggers emerge to stop you feeling the hurt. Your bain is just saying OK I have had enough with this and cant deal with it anymore so I wont think about it or feel it.

Take care

10/01/2017, 0037, aj7 said:
hi, i am just wondering if there is anyone who has 'dissociative disorder' that could give me some advice. My doctor believes that i may have this and has given me a referall to a psychiartrist.

@Former-Member

I know your question was a few months ago, but I only joined recently.

I have complex PTSD, & struggle with dissociation on a daily (or weekly) basis, as a major part of that.

Although my dissociation is far less than it was a few years ago, it still regularly impacts on my ability to function - especially when it's triggered (as a reaction) by stress, or by unexpected events (as happened 2 days ago).

I'm seeing psychologist, who (I believe) are the most specialised in helping people with trauma & dissociation - but only those psychologist who are trained in trauma therapy & dissociation.

Self-awareness (of when dissociation is triggered), grounding techniques, & self-care are what they often focus on (to help).

I've been very dissociated all weekend, as a possible result of being intentionally punched & injured by my disabled client (on Friday). Along with on-going stresses.

I hope going to the psychiatrist (you mentioned), or a psychologist helps you with your dissociation.

Adge

I've been dissociating lately. I am pretty stressed so maybe it's not helping. Frid night was terrible, just staring into space and not really thinking or doing anything.

in my own little world.

hello @Adge @Former-Member

am glad that you were able to write your post regardless of how long ago it started.

when i first joined i thought that it was too late to do that. head was just not in a good place.

i notice that you know how to do the @ thing i didnt know about that either and wondered why i was being ignored, further enabling my low self-esteem to become even lower.

i recently was in hospital again for 3 weeks and prior to that was dissociated for quite some time. I really should have gone in late last year but too much was happening at the time.

I went for a walk 2 days ago here. it felt as though i hadnt walked around where i live for about a year. i was very aware of my surroundings. it was very noticeable.

sometimes my mind does the opposite where i am out of myself and that is an odd sensation also to deal with.

yes i agree with everyone it is our mind and body telling us take notice, do something!

@BlueBay, I'm thinking of you...

@Former-Member, A walk sounds like a good idea, something that I've been unable to get myself to do (all weekend). I was in a walking group (until 2 months ago), but it closed down.

I've only just worked out how to do the @ thing, mohill.

Adge

hello @Adge @BlueBay

i did a lot of walking when in hospital.

there are some beautiful paths nearby with some lovely walks.

i wanted to walk again this morning at home. I am feeling so drained.

I know that it takes a while after you come out of hospital but i am frustrated all the same.

i am going to go and bury my head in my book.

good luck all

will look out for your posts xxx

Hello, i can't deal with this topic right now, a bit vulnerable, but wanted to let you know I hear you and you're not alone xox