[Mountaindewed]

I've been dissociating more then usual lately. I either just stop what I'm doing. Like spacing out. Or getting this hazy vision type thing and having some sort of amnesia. In that instance, it takes a couple of hours after the incident has passed to realize it has happened.

Sometimes I will talk to someone like they are another person. Or I just say out of character things in general. It's weird. Like one time I started talking to my brother like he was the dog. I just kind of checked out and started talking to him the way I talk to my dog.

I am not very familiar with dissociating. Like I haven't discussed it much or done a lot of research. So I don't really understand what's going on when it happens.

I feel incredibly stressed out and I feel awfully guilty after it happens.

Why do I feel so guilty after it? I'm not really doing anything wrong. I'm just out of it. I don't think anyone really notices.

Sometimes, I dissociate when it's really sunny outside and the sun is in my eyes for several minutes. This type Has been happening since I was 7.

I have some control over it. If that's even possible.

If I concentrate real hard, I can make myself focus on the right now. I just have to be aware of my surroundings and play back each moment of what is going on at that time. Today I was at the store and I kept saying to myself: "do you remeber doing this a few seconds ago?"

It does work. Even though I struggle with it sometimes.

Does anyone have any comments or suggestions?

Thanks.

BTW, I did mention it to my therapist and her answer was

"Oh, your googling stuff again?"

That's not fair. I've had dissociation long before I even knew what it was called. It's very frightening when it happens. Basically this has happened two other times. With my doctor and another therapist.

[Amyjay]

Dissociation is a normal thing that happens to most people some of the time. Mindfulness exercises help me ground myself some of the time. I dissociate pretty badly and most of the time i have no idea it is happening, it just happens in an instant and I am gone. But sometimes mindfulness helps me get a bit more grounded.

[yagr]

Originally Posted by Bozdickens

I have some control over it. If that's even possible.

If I concentrate real hard, I can make myself focus on the right now.

It's possible. My therapist today said that unlike any other patients she sees (she specializes in trauma), she considers me hyper-aware rather than hyper-vigilant. That observation, we agreed, has to do with my meditation practice. That awareness of every moment or, if not every moment, certainly more moments than most are aware of, keeps me grounded, present and not dissociating, most of the time.

Sometimes I can...when a part starts taking over....and it's not warranted...we can stop it (illusional).

Like when our mom visited, we were on the way to work....but a little presented and said that he wanted to not go to work....that lasted but a moment...then a big took over: like pulling yourself out of a pool of honey...

A bit of daziness as you stumble out the door....
For us...it's a matter of staying ungarde.

[Solnutty]

Originally Posted by AlwaysChanging2

Sometimes I can...when a part starts taking over....and it's not warranted...we can stop it (illusional).

Like when our mom visited, we were on the way to work....but a little presented and said that he wanted to not go to work....that lasted but a moment...then a big took over: like pulling yourself out of a pool of honey...

A bit of daziness as you stumble out the door....
For us...it's a matter of staying ungarde.

"Like pulling yourself out of a pool of honey"
Yes! We've definitely had that experience

Since having EMDR I am now aware when I'm about to do it. Prior to that, I was completely unaware. I can control it on the whole, but not when my anxiety is too high. Sometimes then, it's a relief.

[Amyjay]

Originally Posted by AlwaysChanging2

... like pulling yourself out of a pool of honey...

A bit of daziness as you stumble out the door....

Yes!! I describe it as wading through glue both in body and mind, like trying to pull yourself out of sleep paralysis.

[Samantha+9]

i think of it as like putting your arms out in front of you when you fall into a pool for me it doesn't stop me from sinking into the water but it certainly slows the process down

No, I can't