[leomama]

I'm having a hard time keeping myself pinned down to reality. It could be the cup of coffee and green tea I had at noon, or the 50mg of seroquel I took at 2am to help me sleep, or the stress I'm under or all three.

I'm having a very hard time concentrating or focusing and I'm doing things like forgetting where I put things.

I'm going to exercise soon so I hope that helps.

[kaliope]

if you are having problems staying "here", there is something simple you can do. pick an item, anything will really do. say a knick knack off the shelf. then describe it using all your senses. what color is it? what temperature is it? what is the texture? what does it smell like? does it have a sound? is it hard or soft? describe it in as much detail as possible, as if you were painting it for a blind person to understand. this is a very grounding exercise. it should take several minutes to complete. (it is neat, before you begin, look across the room at something in the distance and measure the clarity. something with writing if you can. then after you finish the exercise, you will be able to see clearer) good luck!

[leomama]

Originally Posted by kaliope

if you are having problems staying "here", there is something simple you can do. pick an item, anything will really do. say a knick knack off the shelf. then describe it using all your senses. what color is it? what temperature is it? what is the texture? what does it smell like? does it have a sound? is it hard or soft? describe it in as much detail as possible, as if you were painting it for a blind person to understand. this is a very grounding exercise. it should take several minutes to complete. (it is neat, before you begin, look across the room at something in the distance and measure the clarity. something with writing if you can. then after you finish the exercise, you will be able to see clearer) good luck!

Thanks, I know that from dbt, I didn't know I was having that problem yesterday. If that ever happens again, I'll try that.

[sub-dural]

Do you sometimes realize days later you've been "dissociating all over the place?" (I like the way you phrased that!). It's usually more removed for me. I lose things, then have problems retrieving memories from the week at work or whatever. Generally only remember mundane things - walking around the hallways. Picking fingernails. Real stuff in the real world is happening around me.. but this is what I retain. Then the reality (and lack there of) sets in. Sucks.

[leomama]

Nope only in the moment and I hate that feeling. I liked the suggestion to practice mindfulness when I catch myself disassociating. Usually when I do that it's due to stress. Nothing's that important. I need to start taking care of myself and when I'm that stressed out stopping whatever I'm doing and practicing my mindfulness skills.