[baseline]

Hi, I'm not sure if this is where I post this question but if not can someone please direct me. I sometimes get into a daydream or flashback about somethings that happened in my past. Usually when I'm driving or passenger in a car. I forget where I am and sometimes I speak out loud. Like I may say STOP! or answer a question from the daydream/flashback or laugh out loud . It can be embarrassing when I'm with someone else. My kids will say What did you say mom. I lie and say nothing or pretend I coughed or something. My husband thought I was yelling at him. I'd make up excuses because I don't want to have to explain what just happened. It happens randomly. Sometimes I don't remember driving home. One time my husband and I were driving somewhere and he reached out to touch my hair and i smacked his hand away! He was upset with me. I apologized and made up some lame excuse about why I pushed him away. Does this ever get better? I'm sorry if this doesn't make sense. I have a hard time explaining/expressing myself. Thanks

[Claritytoo]

Have you talked about this with your therapist? I think it is interesting that it happen most when you are in a moving a car.

[amandalouise]

Originally Posted by baseline

Hi, I'm not sure if this is where I post this question but if not can someone please direct me. I sometimes get into a daydream or flashback about somethings that happened in my past. Usually when I'm driving or passenger in a car. I forget where I am and sometimes I speak out loud. Like I may say STOP! or answer a question from the daydream/flashback or laugh out loud . It can be embarrassing when I'm with someone else. My kids will say What did you say mom. I lie and say nothing or pretend I coughed or something. My husband thought I was yelling at him. I'd make up excuses because I don't want to have to explain what just happened. It happens randomly. Sometimes I don't remember driving home. One time my husband and I were driving somewhere and he reached out to touch my hair and i smacked his hand away! He was upset with me. I apologized and made up some lame excuse about why I pushed him away. Does this ever get better? I'm sorry if this doesn't make sense. I have a hard time explaining/expressing myself. Thanks

yes this kind of thing can get better. here in NY we call this dissociation on a normal level. meaning it doesnt meet any diagnostics for a dissociative disorder at this time. please dont take this as a diagnosis with in you. I am just stating what this would be in my own location.

other locations call this maladaptive daydreaming meaning excessive daydreaming.

the way to stop it is to catch yourself doing it and regrounding yourself back out of the daydream and back to whats real in your life... some people take a break from what ever activity they find they are doing this the most at...ie not driving until they can control their self because they didnt want to end up having an accident risking physical harm to their self and others. sometimes department of motor vehicles and treatment providers will put limitations on a persons licenses /driving permits due to this problem so that the person with this problem doesnt harm their self or others while daydreaming to this extreme while driving a vehicle.

my suggestion is talk with your treatment providers and you might want to contact your department of motor vehicles to see if daydreaming to this extreme while driving can end you up in legal problems. if so you may be required to stop driving until you have this problem in control again.

[baseline]

Originally Posted by Claritytoo

Have you talked about this with your therapist? I think it is interesting that it happen most when you are in a moving a car.

I haven't talked about it yet. I am too embarrassed to bring it up. I am supposed to be doing better. I feel guilty that there is so much I should be grateful for and I just feel scared/afraid most of the time. There are so many other of his patients that are worse off. I know this defeats the purpose of therapy but I feel undeserving.

[Fuzzybear]

[Claritytoo]

Originally Posted by baseline

I haven't talked about it yet. I am too embarrassed to bring it up. I am supposed to be doing better. I feel guilty that there is so much I should be grateful for and I just feel scared/afraid most of the time. There are so many other of his patients that are worse off. I know this defeats the purpose of therapy but I feel undeserving.

I sometimes do that to myself. Devalue my trauma experience by saying it was not as bad as someone else s. But that is not fair to me or my system. Our trauma was bad enough for us to dissociate. I will not devalue us as though we are not worth of having a trauma free life. That is how I look at it. I will still start to have that thought, but stop myself. I tell myself that what happened to us was important to us and that is what counts for us. I feel bad that others have suffered but that does not mean that my suffering should be viewed by me as being less important. Your trauma is important and was painful for you. That is what is important to hold on to working through issues in therapy. At least that is what I think. Take care of yourself.

[precaryous]

I do something similar. I sometimes shout things out loud during a daydream or dissociation to try to stop or interrupt an intrusive thought. I live alone, so I can do this a little more freely. I do have to watch myself when I'm watching my grandson..or out in public.

Thank you for the thread. I hadn't thought of telling my T about this before.

[baseline]

Originally Posted by precaryous

I do something similar. I sometimes shout things out loud during a daydream or dissociation to try to stop or interrupt an intrusive thought. I live alone, so I can do this a little more freely. I do have to watch myself when I'm watching my grandson..or out in public.

Thank you for the thread. I hadn't thought of telling my T about this before.

Thanks, I have an appointment tomorrow. I want to talk about it. I hope I have the nerve to bring it up. Of course the time is limited and there is lots to discuss. Thanks for sharing your experience. It helps to know others can relate.

[baseline]

Thank you all for your support. I went today and brought it up along with some past painful memories. I was shaking so bad. We discussed talking about things a little at a time so I will not become overwhelmed again. I feel kind of numb. Don't have another appointment until after the holidays. Don't know if that is bad or good. I hope I can make it! Peace to you all!