[Bivin]

I try to think back and can't seem to remember much about what I was doing before I entered that state. Does anyone know what could cause this or what's going on?

[Thunder Bow]

What State? Drugs, medication, and drinking can do that.

[pegasus]

Hello Bivin, welcome to Psych Central.

What you are describing sounds very much like dissociation, here is an excellent article all about dissociative disorders >>>> In-Depth: Understanding Dissociative Disorders | Psych Central In the first place it tends to be a way to cope with extreme stress but for some people can become a real problem. We also have a forum here you might like to check out >>>> Dissociative Disorders

It really is best to go and see your doctor so that you can find out what is going on, there are other things it could be and we can't diagnose here.

[Bivin]

Originally Posted by Thunder Bow

What State? Drugs, medication, and drinking can do that.

I don't take any drugs or medication. I may drink a few beers once sometimes twice a week but it will happen different days and at different times. I work nights but I've been working these hours for about 4 years now so I don't think it could have to do with that. I don't know what it could be to trigger it, I don't get stressed at work.

[Thunder Bow]

How many hours of sleep you get per day??

[Bivin]

Originally Posted by Thunder Bow

How many hours of sleep you get per day??

Normally 6 to 8 hours of sleep per day, my sleep schedule and work schedule have not recently changed so I don't think that could have anything to do with it.

[Thunder Bow]

6 to 8 is a little to short. Thus that could be the reason. Lack of sleep does create what you are experiencing. You may be dosing off.

[monkeybrains21]

Or he may be disassociating. Not everything is due to drugs alcohol and medication. There is a real mental health issue that can cause it as well.

Originally Posted by Thunder Bow

6 to 8 is a little to short. Thus that could be the reason. Lack of sleep does create what you are experiencing. You may be dosing off.

6 to 8 hours is actually pretty normal for adults...older adults need even less. Teens need more than 8 hrs. But for adults, if it's that amount every night, that's decent.

The issue may be the time you're sleeping. I know you've been doing this for a long time. I worked third shift 4 nights a week for 5 years. I already had preexisting issues with mental illness (depression, specifically) but the third shift schedule really messed me up. I didn't experience my worst until after I'd been working thirds for 5 years, and I kind of took a nose dive. My doctor thinks it was because of the irregular sleep pattern (even if you're getting a good amount of hours, sleeping during the day is irregular--your circadian rhythm is off, hormones get disrupted, etc). That was over two and a half years ago. I took a two month leave of absence then went to first shift a few months after coming back to work, and I felt like a new person. I encourage you to discuss this with your doctor.

Also, if you don't have good black-out curtains in your bedroom, I suggest them because they are fantastic. I still have them up and I sleep normal hours.