[Dos3512]

I was driving to an appointment this morning when they started talking about childhood sexual abuse...suddenly nothing seemed real not even me. i was paralyzed...i longed to turn off the radio but couldnt move except to drive. However I have no memories of anything...NOTHING I can recall for sure. Is this normal? Not to mention it knocked the wind right outta me when it first came on.
Gotta talk to t about this. I see her friday... or would you call your t?

[Rapunzel]

It sounds like you were triggered and you dissociated. Yes, it is normal to dissociate in reaction to things that feel unsafe, although it can be a sign that hearing about abuse caused that reaction in you - it means that you didn't feel safe. It is something to talk to T about. I would probably wait until the scheduled session or maybe send an email so that she knew what I wanted to talk about. You probably know her policy about phone calls, so you know best whether or not you should call. It is important to talk about. It would be good to journal about it while it is still fresh. Are you feeling safe now? My rule of thumb is that if you need emergency assistance, you should call. If not, write it down and/or email. I feel like the purpose of phone calls is to manage a crisis or take care of business, but not generally to discuss things that need to be talked about in session. Phone calls are usually too short to get into something like that, and I wouldn't find it satisfying.

[amandalouise]

Originally Posted by Dos3512

I was driving to an appointment this morning when they started talking about childhood sexual abuse...suddenly nothing seemed real not even me. i was paralyzed...i longed to turn off the radio but couldnt move except to drive. However I have no memories of anything...NOTHING I can recall for sure. Is this normal? Not to mention it knocked the wind right outta me when it first came on.
Gotta talk to t about this. I see her friday... or would you call your t?

for some people its normal and for others it isnt..

example I know someone who during a college class became uncomfortable and had the same symptoms you had, when I approached him thinking he may be having a reaction similar to my being triggered/dissociation/ panic attack...

I found out he has been this way since childhood, he just had a very sheltered and protected life so when he encounters something outside his box that he grew up with his body has all kinds of reactions. just normal for him. for him its not anxiety or any other thing. he can be calm relaxed and suddenly his body will give him this oh crap feeling. kind of like how they teach children to follow their gut instinct.. his gut instinct kicks in.. he was fine once he got back in his car where there was a sense of familiarity. in fact he was able to talk in depth with me about the lecture with no further problems.

for me having this kind of reaction is called an anxiety/panic attack and Multiple Sclerosis.

for me yes I would talk with my treatment providers, thats the only way to know for sure what it is since we are not able to diagnose the problem here.