Shutting Down?

I was curious to know if anyone else completely shuts down? There are times I just completely black out and my girlfriend tells me she can't get me to snap out of it. I just sit there with a blank look on my face and stare. Sometimes it is with a flashback, other times I guess I just practically black out. Is this common with PTSD?

Yes I do that. It's like I get stuck somewhere and although I have some awareness of it, I can't break out of it.

I do something similar as well, kind of like a strong day dreaming. Or maybe even dissociating. From what I've been told a certain amount of dissociating is normal for PTSD. If you have a counselor I would discuss this with them.

It does sound like dissociation, and yes, it does occur in CPTSD. I dissociate daily, but am always aware of where I am, and can pop out of it when I need to, although I am sometimes slightly confused at first. I don't lose time (except in a few very rare circumstances, but then only minutes). Dissociation occurs on a continuum, and I am definitely on the lower end of it. I would definitely discuss with a therapist/counselor.

I do that though i dont have cptsd i have another disorder and its like i can hear but i cant respond to people. I still remember what this stupid nurse did at the er to get me out of it she pushed her knuckles in my chest and twisted which is painful and she said i knew you could hear me.i was sore for days.i could have come out of it on my own i wanted to tell her but didn't

My dissociation varies, from a quick, light escape to a deep almost sleep with my eyes open (this doesn't happen that often) but afterwards it's like a brain fog hang over and it may be a day or two before I feel better. I can vaguely hear things around me but the pull to stay in that daze/fog is stronger. I've lost time as well. But it's not something you realize right away. Just like dissociation for me, I don't know it's coming or there until I'm coming out of it. It used to scare me but now it's pretty much a normal thing.

I've noticed this happens to me when I'm extremely overwhelmed. I can hear everything, and I'm completely aware of what is happening, but I'm stuck. I have not been told I have CPTSD, but I also have another disorder that acts up when I'm stressed. I figure this is part of it.

Welcome to the forum. Yes, being stuck is a good word to describe it.

That form of dissociation isn't common for me (I also have an undetermined dissociative disorder(s) at the present time). However, that form is relatively common among those with C-PTSD. I have a friend who has done this a few times. At a really bad moment once, too...that sucked.

It was very scary at first and then once my T explained what it was , then I just rolled with them. I've only had a couple really bad ones and they were mentally exhausting.

I remember the ones I had like that. I call the "absent episodes" because nothing and no one's there. Verses the other episodes I've had that turn incredibly violent, sometimes. That's hard to explain. Either way, after every episode, I'm drained.

Interesting read from a CPTSD site

https://www.welldoing.org/article/di...ational-trauma

I have had PTSD for 14/15 yrs now. In the beginning I had these moments....loosing time......often. Then I have no recollection of a particular day and even days. Still cannot remember it, my diary is my only witness. As the years went on it happens less. During times of severe stress or a backflash I still get it, but it is for short periods only now, 4/5 hours. It still scares me to know that my psychi can be so disrupted that I am unable to cope with reality. Most people who meet me cannot believe that I am a PTSD sufferer because I hide it so well. I have been in therapy for 14 yrs and every 18 months or so I need hospitalization to tweet my meds. I'm a survivor though and I will not let this injury ruine my life. I am greatful every day for all my blessing from the universe and pray that no one befalls harm. I wish you all the strength and love that you deserve. Please don't loose hope, it does get better.