Dissociative episodes

Okay, I don't have DID. But I do have dissociative episodes, either of depersonalization or derealization from my PTSD and depression.

I'm really curious to know what kind of symptoms others experience when having a dissociative episode.

I know for me, I sort of go somewhere else. It's like another person takes over, although it is still me, and I can often remember bits and pieces after the fact or if I concentrate really hard, or if someone reminds me, then I do recall. I know that my emotions kind of go numb, I can't communicate, even though I will respond to questions, although I don't know how I'm responding or what my behavior is coming off as. My dissociation often goes into a suicidal phase or SH phase.

WHat to other people experience as symptoms? I'm trying to express the symptoms of dissociation for my reasonable accommodation request at work, but I don't know how to describe it.

Thanks,
Seesaw

I think you did a great job explaining what your dissociative symptoms are...

your work isnt going to want to give you work related accommodations based on what others are going through. they want to know what .....you ......are going through...

my suggestion is to just tell them what you stated here in this post and what you need from them in order to be able to do your job.

for example you stated

"I know for me, I sort of go somewhere else. It's like another person takes over, although it is still me, and I can often remember bits and pieces after the fact or if I concentrate really hard, or if someone reminds me, then I do recall. I know that my emotions kind of go numb, I can't communicate, even though I will respond to questions, although I don't know how I'm responding or what my behavior is coming off as. My dissociation often goes into a suicidal phase or SH phase."

perfect it tells what your problem is, now put these problems you are going through in context of your job,maybe by asking yourself questions.... Im going to use your own words from your post since this is about you and your trying to get work accommodations for when you have these problems....

what do I need from my co workers and boss when I go somewhere else that will enable me to continue to do my job?

what do I need from my boss and co workers when my emotions kind of go numb?

what do I need from my boss and co worker when I am not able to communicate and answer questions?

What do I need from my boss and co workers when I may be behaving in ways that I have no awareness of?

unfortunately we can not do your work for you in trying to figure out what you need in order to be able to do your job.

I can tell you what accommodations I got when I had the same problems as you posted....

based on my own problems I was given a larger office space, and one of my co workers and I shared the job caseload so that when I needed to take a break and use my grounding tools and if needed contact my treatment providers for emergency appointments, my co worker was able to take over for me.

Thank you SO Much. They aren't so much concerned with the symptoms, bt how the symptoms affct my ability to accomplish my work, and in light of these symptoms, how they can accommodate me to complete the work.

Honestly, with a dissociative episode (which is very rare at this point), I jst need to take sick time, possibly work from home to finish projects if necessary.

Other issues, like flashbacks or panic attacks, I just need some time alone in my office to re-establish reality.

They also don't understand the fatigue going through these episodes causes.

But thank you, your advice was great.

Seesaw