Blackouts/dissociation

[jjh29]

Has anyone ever had or experienced a blackout or dissociated when they were already getting ready to lay down for sleep. I had a really bad fight that night with my husband and was extremely stressed. It was the first time this ever happened to me that I know of. How long would this of lasted and has anyone ever filled you in on the blanks with what you did while you was in this state? Please someone talk to me, its really freaking me out. The next day I looked at my feet and they were black like I was wandering around barefoot.

 

[ashdawn8287]

Dissociation is common among us PTSD sufferers. I have never blacked out sober though. I more or less space out.

That seems like it scared you. Have you talked to anyone professionally about it?

 

[jjh29]

I have an appointment this week. I'm totally freaked right now. It's never happened like that before. I didn't come to anywhere else, it's almost as if I wandered around or went somewhere and then came back inside? I don't know I'm just really confused. Have you ever heard of something like this happening to anyone? Thanks for replying, I really needed to talk.

 

[ashdawn8287]

I have not witnessed it with anyone else but it seems like a coping mechanism for stress. Don't freak out as scary as this has to be try to ease your mind. It seems as though dissociation happens when there is stress.

Did you use to space out when dissociating before? I worry with myself that my spacing out will turn into a black out.

If you have Netflix watch The United States of Tara. Its a funny show about dissociation.

 

[jjh29]

Yes that is how I usually dissociate. I usually space out but I am able to hear everything around me still. This is the first time it ever happened this way. I will look up that show. I never knew that you could blackout completely.

It just worries me cause I have no idea what happened.

 

[Venusian]

Hi jjh29,

It sounds like you really need some answers. It is very frightening when things likke this happen, it worries me when it happens to me and i have had to make some life changes when it became too much for me to handle.

There is a thread called "Dissociation Explained" started by Anthony that is very good and you should read it if you haven't already. I would link to it but I am not sure how to do that and it sounded like you needed some answers quickly. It helped me understand and he can explain a lot better what you were asking. Type "Dissociation Explained into the search at the top of the page and check off "thread title" and you should find it.

It will get better and it isn't that uncommon whit PTSD. I hope this helps.

 

[ashdawn8287]

How old are you?

Dang I hope that doesn't happen to me. I use to black out all the time when I drank. Although I did it on purpose and decided to drink the black outs now leave me with lots of questions. I have a permanently broken thumb and have no idea how it happened. But again this was my doing but I was highly susceptible to black outs.

I space out a lot and don't remember what I was doing or recall anything but spacing out. I do grounding techniqiues that helps me stay in the present.

 

[Abstract]

Hi jjh,

I do blank out and I think I used to do it quite often. Its hard to know as I just went from one moment to the next in my life.

There is obviously personality dissociation that explains blackouts but that isn't me. I believe most of mine fit into levels of change of consciousness. So if enough of consciousness is switched off it is almost like sleep walking.

I have had another thing when I feel suddenly sleepy and that I have to lie down suddenly. I thought it was catoplexy first of all. It only happens rarely and when I am extremely upset. I more often lie down and it is as if I am asleep expect I am partly aware. Sometimes I am unconscious for a period of time and can't remember anything but it doesnt feel like sleep somehow.

I agree with Vunesian that it is probably part of PTSD dissociation and sympathise as these things can be very disconcerting.

 

[jjh29]

Yea it's not personality dissociation. Has anyone ever told you what you do or look like while in those states? And how long did they last for you?

I am 31. I was just recently dx. I had something emotionally traumatic happen about a year ago.

 

[Abstract]

I think some of the time when I am in a state where I don't remember after it seems I look quite normal. Other times I am unresponsive and stuck in another world. Either totally zoned out and almost paralysed or slow in reacting. I guess it is less scary for me as I have been like this as long as I can remember. I can understand that if your trauma happened a year ago and you have major changes it must be even more disconcerting.


Remember though that although it can be unhelpful in present life that there is nothing bad or mad about dissociation. It is just a clever means of the body and mind attempting to protect us from overwhelm. Not everyone can dissociate.

Oh and some of mine have certainly lasted for several hours. Its possible that they have been longer too but it is hard to know when one is talking about the absence of something. More usually they are shorter.

Its also possible you went into a dissociated flashback.

It might be worthwhile using the dissociation as a means of discovering what is threatening for you and why. What it is that is triggering or stressing about it. It can tell you a lot that way.

 

[jjh29]

Thank you for your advice and sharing your experience. I will have to pay more attention to my emotions to see what could cause this. I guess it just freaks me out cause not in control and I keep thinking that something bad could happen to me while like that. Would I even know? It's scary.

 

[Abstract]

That part of it is very scary so I think your feelings about that are normal. It only occurred to me in recent years that it could make me more vulnerable as I was so unaware before. Its all about being able to control it more and understanding what sets us off.