Dissociation 6f's (drop Attacks/catatonia)

[shimmerz]

Whether one suffers from Drop Attacks or Catatonia or not, this document does (I think) a very thorough job of understanding the dissociative process. It includes the ever elusive Drop and Catatonia elements which still many doctors do not recognize.

It also speaks to the self harm element and how that plays a part in getting adrenaline going when we drop into deep parasympathetic mode. Not sure if it would be helpful to anyone at all but I thought I would throw the link out here.

I would love your feedback if you have any.

Link Removed

 

[Abstract]

Very very helpful and interesting @shimmerz I wish I could have had these conversations with you around 4 or 5 years ago. I felt very alone. You managed to find information I didn't. I obsessively researched at the time as was in an awakening process - starting to realise/acknowledge various experiences I had and trying to figure out what they were.

I did find reference to tonic immobility or flaccid immobility but struggled to feel how it linked to what I would do. I wasn't sure and thought I was making it all up. Freeze states I could own after I obsessed about it over a period of time. I came up with the word catatonic as the only thing that felt true to my experiences and yet used it loosely and tentatively as I did not believe it was in truth catatonia. It was a shock to see you use the word here and then see it in an article linked to PTSD. The last episode I had was about 2 years ago and I was down for around 6 hours (it seems).

I was more successful about finding information about my conversation or somatic symptoms. I very rarely have these anymore but some were pretty common. I did have dropping experiences where my legs would just stop functioning in an instant (while the rest of me was fine and there was no warning). Had two particularly bad falls with injuries as a result. I dislocated my coccyx with one. Its happened with an arm etc but those are obviously less problematic. The other common symptom was an instant loss of voice. Not in the usual depersonalised less-control-over-mouth-brain-and-voice or the depersonalised-no-reaction-to-the-outside-world way (had a lot of those and still do experience them) but rather an apparent fully functioning of everything else and then without warning a loss of voice way.

I unfortunately have a deadline I am dealing with so shouldn't be on here at all - have therefore only skimmed the article. I will read it properly in a month or so when I have the time. Thank you for sharing it here. Did it help you?

PS. just adding a comment about the self harm element. I'm struggling to see that in that for me self harm doesn't really feel dangerous, painful or a threat at the time. I know it does calm down my internal reactions but surely for this theory to be relevant one would need to feel under attack in some way first?

 

[Deleted member 37085]

Whether one suffers from Drop Attacks or Catatonia or not, this document does (I think) a very thoroug...

Don't know much about the physiological aspects of dissociation; I have dissociated - in a gastroenterologist's office as he was playing with a part of my anatomy that he was not supposed to be touching; also dissociated during a car/bike crash; and as a young little precious girl dissociated a lot due to sexual molestation by stepfather; sis can remember all; I remember little; she has recounted our memories (for we were together through it all) I cannot recount any of the horrific violent abuse except in nightmares - which have stopped. Now only in flashbacks, thank you for discussing dissociation. I appreciate your sharing this subject. JadesJewel.

 

[Deleted member 37085]

Don't know much about the physiological aspects of dissociation; I have dissociated - in a gastroent...

One more thing: I can remember many memories that are less violent; actual memories; but not those that were so horrific to mind that it chose to leave and dissociate. Thank you. JadesJewel.

 

[desiderata310]

I see myself in this.
I need to read a bit more and think on this before responding with any further

 

[shimmerz]

I need to read a bit more and think on this

Yeah, it is a fair bit to take in....

 

[Abstract]

Ok. I seem to have little sense as although my life could potentially be dropping off around me I have spent a percentage of the day on here (and reading that article) instead of dealing with what I should be dealing with. Yikes.

I can't say I have read it as I would best describe my brain as a mixture of concrete and jelly at present. I did look again and think I now have the vaguest sense of what it is about. Past the initial shock of seeing the word catatonia which may well be old hat to others. All sorts of things are falling into place and I'm struggling to see why I never connected certain of my experiences to certain words in the past.

I'm still trying to make sense of the order of these f's and what experiences of mine fit into which category. If I feel brave enough at some point (and am still as incapable brain wise as present) I may list them and ask others to show me the way. If they have the patience.

I do see the potential value and the logic. A lot of it makes sense to me. I like the proposals when it comes to approach.

Although I have read other theories extensively in the recent past I can't seem to think clearly about them at all at present or compare them to this one in any intelligent way. Sadly. Something that was the core of my existence until recently. Brain = jelly you know. I wonder if it will ever improve again.

 

[BlueOrange]

Busy day, so I've only made it halfway through. The paper is awesome!

 

[BlueOrange]

That table at the end is brilliant. Helped me manage my symptoms yesterday, which was a very difficult day.

 

[Deleted member 37085]

Whether one suffers from Drop Attacks or Catatonia or not, this document does (I think) a very thoroug...

Thank you shimmerz for posting the article: shauer291111arikel.pdf - just emailed my friend and asked for him to print this article out for me and bring to me since he's going with me to emdr therapy today. Very in-depth and comprehensive re: dissociation; post-trauma psychopathology; fright, flag, flight, and fight; parasympathetic arousal and system; freezing; fear bradycardia; so much thorough knowledge that I can actually make some sense out of my body's responses to extreme trauma. shimmerz again thank you for this schauer article and if you know of any more articles of this in-depth nature about dissociation, extreme trauma, emdr, and anything associated with pro. comp. ptsd. may I please have your reference (URL) to these very insightful and educational materials, please. Thank you shimmerz - sending you so much love, hugs, and prayers up to God for you. JadesJewel

 

[shimmerz]

Thank you shimmerz - sending you so much love, hugs, and prayers up to God for you.

Thank you so much for your kind words @JadesJewel. I so could use them right now. And I just want to say, right back at you. I am so sorry if you are suffering in any way with this. It is a game changer. I will look and see if I can find anything else for you. Feel free to PM me if you feel you need further support or just to talk.

 

[Deleted member 37085]

Thank you so much for your kind words @JadesJewel. I so could use them right now....

I am here for you so much as well shimmerz. Know this firmly. Also today is emdr and I am freaking the blank out; so hard psychologically, emotionally, mentally, spirtually, and I believe these sessions are effecting me biophysiologically ie. extreme numbness, very nervous for days following session (every 2wks.), and a couple of nightmares recently - hadn't had one in quite a while - months.