Steinberg Depersonalization Test

[sun seeker]

He says there are a lot of different thinking styles and that is one of them. I have pretty much the same thing. Although I experience it more often as if "someone else" is talking to "me".

That's interesting. I have a few different ways of thinking, some of which have nothing to do with words. When words are involved, usually I am talking not to myself in my mind but as if to another person. It's as if I have to imagine someone else there as a listener to process thoughts in words. I wonder what your therapist would have to say about that?

 

[Queen Boudica]

That's what I do @sun seeker but I have the words when I am talking to myself as well. Actually sometimes really talking to myself. Have to stop that not a good look in public

 

[void]

I don't know that's what I am trying to find out. I thought it was normal, but I am definitely doing a runn...

Thanks:)

 

[The Albatross]

33 for me, but that is a life history thing.

If I retook it and framed it for just the last 4 years it would be a lower score... maybe less by a third?

Added in edit... retook it keeping in mind the last 4 years... still severe but a 26. Improvement where I can get it is a good thing. Maybe I'll bone up on this for the new year... I needed a new self study anyways. Thanks for putting this up.

 

[greenleaf]

44 -- feels very weird to see that on the screen; if I'd taken this years ago I might have scored lower even though these issues are improving (great T!) -- I used to go around numb all the time, not feeling parts of my body etc. but a lot of that was "normal"; you need a *remembered, different* way to experience your reality to *know* you are doing some of this stuff.

 

[scout86]

@sun seeker , I'm not sure. I kind of think that's an extension of the same technique. I do both.

And then, like when I'm confronted with a horse with a badly deformed foot, I will stand back for awhile and just look at the foot. If someone asks, I'll say "I'm thinking". And I am, but there are no words involved. I experience that more as "waiting for the answer to present itself". And it does, and then I know what to do. It's more of a "feel" thing. He says he thinks that a kinesthetic form of "thought.

He actually has said that he thinks there are people who don't have any "running conversation" going on in their heads as well. He thinks that part of my mother's problem might have been that she mostly "thought" with feelings/emotions. Her natural reaction to stuff was just to through a bunch of "feelings" out into the environment and expect people to "make it right", He told me to try to communicate with her in writing as much as possible, because it might force her to organize her "thoughts" into something that was easier to deal with. He says we can, and do, use all our senses for both thought and memory. Some are more important for an individual than others and he thinks it's helpful to know what your style is.

 

[sun seeker]

If someone asks, I'll say "I'm thinking". And I am, but there are no words involved. I experience that more as "waiting for the answer to present itself". And it does, and then I know what to do.

I get that. When in need of a new idea to present itself, I go for a walk. It often works. There is actually a method for writers (Julia Cameron, I think it is) that suggests walking for at least an hour a day.

He told me to try to communicate with her in writing as much as possible, because it might force her to organize her "thoughts" into something that was easier to deal with.

That would get her using both halves of her brain at least. Brilliant man, your therapist.

I wonder whether my "thinking as a monologue to another person" is part of my developmental trauma, i.e. needing to externalize, or just some kind of quirk. It's a bit out of character otherwise; anyone who knows me knows I'm not much of a talker and other people have to do more than their share to keep a conversation going! But I'm diverting this thread, maybe I should start another one on this.

 

[scout86]

maybe I should start another one on this.

I think a thread on "how people think" would be interesting! :)

 

[sun seeker]

All right, done! Thread on how people think has been posted.

 

[oasis2003]

:(I got 42.

 

[desiderata310]

49. Not unexpected.

 

[Chava]

55. I expected better. Or probably "severe" dissociation just feels "normal". :sneaky: But I also answered as if generalizing for the last decade probably, my general daily states.

And yet much is still the same today. Probably I just feel more aware. And some of the body stuff is better, but even in the last year parts of my body feel separated from me. My awareness is better and some of that feels less intolerable. Subtle shifts...I'm good with that.

I isolate a little more because I'm aware of the disconnection and unreality I feel in relationships, which had been my normal forever...so, like trying to now figure out "me" a little more first...and just hang with a few people who I feel like I can maintain my self around. I'm working with a therapist who is receptive and supportive around my areas of unreality, so even if this score doesn't look good, I'm not way shocked I guess. Probably worse if I was still living in this thick bubble and not aware (that lasted well for over a decade).