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JoSenior Contributor
Has anyone here experienced the state of 'disassociation'? It can also be called 'de-personalisation'. It's that state one can slip into when the stress and burn-out becomes too much. You go into 'automatic', carrying out everything you have to do and what's expected of you, but it's as if you're in a sort of dream state.
In response to: Disassociation
Denv12Senior Contributor
Yes,I've been through that.Got it from withdrawal from withdrawal..It was a withdrawal symptom that flared up regularly.I know several people who have had the symptom as their longest ongoing symptom.You can look in the mirror and not see yourself.Its a weird illusion.
When did you first experience dr/dp? Some people call it derealisation/depersonalisation.
In response to: Re: Disassociation
JoSenior Contributor
I experienced it for the first time many years ago when my son kept trying to take his life. It was a shocking time. I experienced it for quite a while before deciding to see a doctor. Got no help whatsoever.
In response to: Re: Disassociation
JoSenior Contributor
Mine got so bad that I started to discover I was doing things like driving on the wrong side of the road and driving through red lights. It's a very scary state to be in.
In response to: Disassociation
CazzieSenior Contributor
In response to: Disassociation
PeppiPattySenior Contributor
In response to: Disassociation
GivingMickSenior Contributor
In response to: Disassociation
GivingMickSenior Contributor
In response to: Disassociation
GivingMickSenior Contributor
In response to: Disassociation
sereneCasual Contributor
Cazzie this really resonates with me - I am 71 and I often get the same symptoms - most markedly when I am with the son with Schizophrenia for whom I am Carer - if he is angry, tetchy, stressed the effect on me is to be unable to summon up information I know - a name, date etc - I assumed it was age-related and a sign I was losing it in general. I really believe that it is stress-transference more than memory-fail.
I accept that memory diminishes with age but if I have the same lapse when I am on my own and un-stressed I consciously do not panic and tell myself that if I don't make it worse by agonizing over it, the memory will come and it invariably does.
I have been a member of ARAFMI for years and it is common for members to say that their loved ones can "hold themselves together" in a medical/psychologist interview and even say that they are fine and doing well - when the carer is very aware that this is not so - anything to avoid going to hospital or maybe "losing face". ?
As for other people judging how "well" or "ok" our MI loved one really is - I would love them to just take over the caring task for a month at least - the saying "walk a mile in my shoes" comes to mind
In response to: Re: Disassociation
CherryBombSenior Contributor
Hi all,
I've started a thread about compassion fatigue here, which I thought you might be interested in. Would love to hear your thoughts about it.
CB
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Help us push aside the stigma and discrimination surrounding complex mental health and change the way people talk about, and care for, mental illness.
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