Awesome! Snapped Out Of Disassociation In 30 Seconds.

[haltija]

So, today, I was working and I don't know what happened, but my mind got me sucked in. I was feeling myself falling into that awkward, uncomfortable, dreamlike disassociation state and I was feeling pretty out of it all day. I've been working on sensory techniques, but nothing worked like today. Usually it takes like 20 minutes to feel "normal." A few minutes with ice, but that's uncomfortable.

I had to take a break from work, so I went and spent some time with my son. I knew that I wasn't being very much fun because I'm not totally there, so obviously, he's almost six and that had to change. I randomly picked him up and started spinning him around in circles. You know, like when you're a kid and some holds your hands and swings you around, so it's like you're flying.

Obviously he thought it was hilarious, which is awesome. Myself, I got dizzy, so I set him down and laid on the ground. After the dizziness and the nausea from being a human playground subsided, I was instantly alert and "awake." Completely different. That blurry life feeling was gone. It was crazy.

I can't figure out if it was the spinning or laughing. I have a feeling it was the abrupt and sudden change of environmental factors combined with, I guess, adrenaline. Anyway, it worked for me pretty quickly. I'll have to test this out more, but I just thought I would share that.

 

[arfie]

In my own recovery road, I have found that the strength of love I have for my sons reaches me in places nothing else has had the power to reach.

But that is me...

It is totally awesome that you found something that works for you. Gentle support while you sort the details of it into a format you can use again and again and again.

 

[Seasounds]

Happy for you!:)

 

[Changing4Best]

I have found that looking at photos of baby and cute adult animals on Twitter has really helped me. I become alert very quickly while doing this. Also, I do laugh out loud quite often while doing this, so I see a similarity here between your experience and mine. The account there that has these is called Cute Emergency.

 

[Hope4Now]

Could be that the movement got you out of your head and into your body in the present. I'm doing a lot of work on intentional movement in therapy and on my own.

It seems to be much more effective at getting me clear than anything else I've tried.

 

[haltija]

Thanks all! I've noticed too that my guy and I are communicating more thoroughly. It's really helped a lot to get some things off my chest. We watched Katie Morton's disassociation video together last night on disassociation that I found really helpful. Once he was able to understand what was going on, it made it a little easier to talk about. This has been going on for years, so it's about time for a breakthrough. :)

 

[watundah]

I don't forget or lose time, but I do numb out and feel shut down. Is it really ever possible to get past this?

My T and I have come to an agreement that this is my big speed bump, stopping me from getting anywhere in healing. We've covered some grounding techniques. I find that my fastest way to get out of it is to talk about something *other* than me.

I watched the video and appreciate you mentioning it. However, where she says' talk about all of the details of trauma'..well, my T can't even ask me how I'm feeling without me spacing out. I'm pretty sure I'm funding her retirement.

 

[haltija]

I don't forget or lose time, but I do numb out and feel shut down. Is it really ever possible to get past this?

Yes, it is. I couldn't feel anything for a very long time. I started to feel like I almost wasn't human or whenever I tried to feel something, my chest would get really tight. I spent a lot of time trying to self-diagnose and figure out what it was.

I wish I could tell you what helped me get over it, but I think it was just part of the disassociation state. Actually, I think the biggest step was something that therapists don't really seem to think about, and that was giving yourself a sense of purpose and worth.

Someone told me once that my lack of emotion was from a lack of fuel in my life and nothing to keep me moving forward. I didn't know what that meant at the time, but I think he meant that you had to have something in your life to stimulate you. For me, I think that was making big life changes (moving, had a baby, etc) but for my OWN self, it was probably starting my business. I had not had a job in a long time but I did have one superior overlooked skill and I learned how to make a business from it. Recently, I've set that business aside as I was given a job in that field. It was a good paying job and their business ethics made me want to join them, as opposed to compete with them.

I think having a focus and something to work on, some kind of project, really helps build your confidence and keeps you moving forward. The numbness will eventually fade on its own, but you have to learn to not focus on it. Otherwise, it's just keeping it there. I know that's frustrating because we all want an answer and it almost sounds too simplistic, but it's the truth.

 

[MomOfTwo]

That blurry life feeling was gone. It was crazy.

I can't figure out if it was the spinning or laughing. I have a feeling it was the abrupt and sudden change of environmental factors combined with, I guess, adrenaline. Anyway, it worked for me pretty quickly. I'll have to test this out more, but I just thought I would share that.

My son used to go for occupational therapy for sensory issues and one of the things they recommend is a deep pressure activity because it calms the nervous system. Hugging, holding, bouncing and spinning your son would qualify for a deep pressure activity. I know my therapist tells me when I am dissociating badly to touch something, jump up and move my feet if I need to and look around. It is great that this worked for you and your son had fun as well.

 

[haltija]

That makes sense, MomOfTwo! It sounds like I'm going to have to do it a lot more. I think maybe playing ball this weekend with him would be good for the both of us.