Lived Experience Forum

[BlueBay]

Hi @fancy-pants and everyone
Does anyone know what dissociation is? I've been in a state where I'm there but not really there (if that makes sense) and I'm not sure if this is dissociation. And why do people do it.

[Sylvester]

Hi @BlueBay I am sorry you are feeling like this, I hope that you get the support you are after from the forum today.  Can I just say that dissociation can be different for everyone, therefore, I would not like to comment but to offer a suggestion that you call Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636 now and speak to a mental health counsellor.

Regards

Sylvester SANE Team

[Former-Member]

hello @BlueBay

this is one  term used by psychologists and psychiatrists.

it is a temporary feeling and something better discussed with your specialist.

better not to drive when feeling this sensation.

if you are taking medications jot down name and time taken as a reminder for you.

I experienced this for a while and came through it. Had sessions with a clinical psychologist.

try to keep things at a slower, quieter pace.

[Former-Member]

@BlueBay, long time no see, your symptoms of being "here but not here" could be from a range of causes from daydreaming to high on drugs to physical sickness or injury. I'm hoping you're just relaxed and daydreaming 🙂

During my first breakdown (major depressive episode), in my mid 20's, I was diagnosed with BPD and dissociation. I fragmented parts of myself where I was no longer in touch with it in the here & now. Sometimes i involuntarily detatched even physical pain (often coinciding with SH behaviour). The people I was boarding with said I changed to someone else sometimes (?DID) a different person but I don't know about that.

I prefer to call it 'phasing' - for me its a warning sign that my stress levels are too high and I need to take measures to bring them down (adjust lifestyle, exposure, self care, meditation, mindfulness grounding exercises, counselling and review of medications by Dr).

My general understanding (research) of Dissociative episode is more about ones mind fragmenting off parts of us to cope, detatching from them. Trouble is a trigger can set them off, bring them fwd and set us off to reluve a past situation out of context (dissociative episode). Soldiers get this with PTSD

Its a complex topic and as Sylvester said - different for everyone.

Are you seeing a psychologist? They are the experts in this. Let me know how you go. xox

[BlueBay]

Hi @Sylvester@Former-Member@Former-Member

I was wondering if this is what I do at times of high stress and crisis.  I have a feeling it could be.  But I will bring it up with my psych or psychologist next week.

Yeah @Former-Member it is like a phase.  

Thanks for your responses 🙂

[Sylvester]

Good insight @BlueBay could be during times of stress and an excellent idea to talk it over 

Cheers

Syvester SANE Moderator

[younglawyer]

I experience dissociation as a symptom of Borderline Personality Disorder. I describe it as feeling disconnected from yourself. You feel as though you are external to own body watching your life from a distance and not a participant. Often you do or say things without realising you've done them.

[Former-Member]

hello @BlueBay @Former-Member

yes my experience was when i had PTSD. with self care, taking small steps, feeling safe and good specialist treatment can be worked through.

main think is not to become anxious about it.

acknowledge it is there but has not consumed you.

work through it.

thinking of you

[Former-Member]

@younglawyer, hood to see you, sounds like we're all simalar with this 'out of body' experience. A psychologist once told me it can be a blessing as many people long to be able to (shut things off) but just can't, even in deep meditation. Guess onlookers just think were 'airheads' PR something. I do know the anxiety about it just makes it worse. Whats helped me most is
- Mndfulness ACT,
- Grounding and
- Self Compassion Therapy

2 Good Books by Russ Harris
"Happiness Trap" & "Reality Slap"

Wish we didn't have to fight so hard, all least we have each other here xox

[mandy84]

I get it hat, sitting by the river with my flute, I could float away the on the wings of a butterfly. Sometimes my eyes tunnel the world and it all becomes far away like looking down a monocular