[shoez]

How do you know if you dissociate?

[MrsEric]

For me, I suddenly am like "Wait, I don't remember anything about what I did after supper last night." Or whatever. Then I ask my husband and I realize that I have total blocks of time missing. That is when I've disassociated. It's been awhile for me but I remember the feeling of panic well.

[mistyeyed]

Originally Posted by shoez

How do you know if you dissociate?

This generally happens to me right after a minor anxiety attack during a particularly (normal) stressful event (exam, work pressure, entering a busy store full of people, etc.) but it mostly happens-and started- at a really young age when certain family members would be out of control belligerent.

I think you just know when you realize you can't remember alot of important details about what happened in a certain situation and/or time frame..or you completed a task without really noticing how or when. It's a great coping mechanism when you're young but not such a great habit when you're an adult..it just makes alot of people who don't understand it think you're a flake

[amandalouise]

Originally Posted by shoez

How do you know if you dissociate?

dissociation whether you know the word or not is one of those things you just automatically know..

example people know when they cant feel anything, they know whether they feel numb or feel some sort of stress or pain,

people know whether they are just sitting back watching everything going on around them as if they are in slow motion.

people know when they are day dreaming.

people know what it feels like to be watching their self as if out side of their body.

people know when they are not paying attention and suddenly the conversation is different.

those are all examples of dissociation on normal levels.

these normal dissociation examples becomes a disorder when used as a coping tool to escape your problems and interferes with your life in some way.

anything can cause or include dissociation symptoms like stress, panic depression or any other mental disorder, medications

to find out if you dissociate beyond the normal confines of dissociation contact your treatment providers. they can have you tested for dissociation and its disorders and can tell you what treatment will best fit you if you are dissociating beyond the normal confines of dissociation.

[Can't Stop Crying]

Currently, as an adult, dissociation is like the following. It was different when I was a child.

I can sometimes feel myself start to "float" away - not sure how else to describe it. I can sometimes see myself from outside my body - like watching from a distance. I sometimes lose gaps of time, where I know that I've done things, but don't remember actually doing them.

That's how dissociation feels for me - might be different for others - hope this helps.