How do I tell the difference?

Throughout my life I've had moments now and then when I've felt disconnected from the world and myself, but for almost 2 months along with other symptoms I've felt disconnected every day. I've gotten so used to this feeling that I don't know what it feels like to actually "live".
Most of the time it feels like I'm in a dream and it doesn't help that my actual dreams revolve around mundane things and scenarios that feel very realistic and familiar.

How do I tell the difference between a "normal" state and a dissociative state? I honestly can't figure it out on my own.

I see you are in Europe so what i post may be different for your location...

here in america treatment providers have guidelines called diagnostic criteria that Americans must meet in order for the problem to be called a disordered level dissociative state rather than normal.

here in america its not something you can figure out on your own because many different normal, mental and physical health problems come with dissociative like symptoms.

since each location has its own definitions of what is and isnt normal vs disordered level dissociation, and different diagnostic criteria for dissociative disorders /dissociative states, my suggestion is to contact a mental health treatment provider in your off the computer location. they will be able to assess whether your problems are normal or a disordered level dissociative state.

hi. i have also struggled with that and variations at different points in my life. it makes things very confusing for sure.

i would have to say for myself that i know i am NOT dissociated when things don't feel like a dream, when i feel more in my body, more connected with my body and the world around me both in a physical sense and also emotional at times.

a 'normal' dissociative state would be like being in class and daydreaming or drifting off in a scenario in your head. most people do that at some point out of boredom or other things.

derealization and/or depersonalization are types of dissociation that are on a more moderate to severe level (depending on how long it lasts and how much it affects your functioning) and are generally the feeling of things around you being unreal, a dream, not feeling like you are in your body or only in part of your body (instead of your whole body, maybe you feel like you are just in your head), or you cannot feel your body or things feel far away, etc.

do you see a therapist? do you notice any particular situations, emotions, triggers, etc. that cause it to happen more than other times? have you tried any type of grounding techniques to see if that can help?

Have you been taking any new meds or drugs? Have you had a physical lately? There can be lots of causes for how you say you feel, especially for a long one.

When I dissociate, my mind goes blank and I feel myself pull into my head, my eyes go out of focus and it's like I'm in a fog cloud. Then an other jumps in and takes over and we are good to go again....unless it was a system wide whopper for a trigger.

Can you say you feel detached?

I struggle with this too. Sometimes Im aware Im dissociating - Like I am watching through my eyes, and I'm thinking, but I have no control over my body or what I say.

But mostly, I realise afterwards. Like last night - Friday, I was thinking about Tuesdays T session, and it was only then that I realised I dissociated most of the session. I remember feeling a pain, looking at my T hoping he didn't notice, and then nothing. I can't recall anything after that point until Im half way home. I don't understand why it took three days for me to realise I don't remember half the session. Its so weird, as I really haven no train of thought other than the sessions! But this is the stuff Im picking up on now more and more often. I think Ive dissociated through most of my life, and Im only just learning that, and how to recognise it.

No new meds or drugs.

It feels like everything gets blurry, but it's my mental image of the world that changes and not my actual vision.
When I'm in places I don't want to be in, like school or situations I'm not comfortable with, I almost enjoy feeling detached.
But when I'm with friends or family I feel sick because it feels like I'm not even there.