- Post starter
- #25
Gs172003
Diamond Member
Thanks!!! That helps. Love your name too! :)
-
We are a multilingual website again. Read the notice about this.
-
Understand AI use at MyPTSD: all AI use is explained in our AI help page. AI use is by choice here. It exists if you want it, but does nothing unless you choose to use it.
Differences Between Emotional Flashbacks
- Post starter Gs172003
- Start date
- Status
Hi!
I don;t want to make it more confusing for you but flashbacks of all types are types of dissociation too. You dissociate back to your past trauma in some way or other. It can either involve most or all of your senses and your emotions and you believe its happening again. Or you can be in the present world in other ways but your emotions can be the same as your trauma happening now. That is an emotional flashback.
Dissociation of the other type is like a fuse is blown in a way. Its when your brain is overloaded and cant cope with what its dealing with and it then finds some way to separate or reduce what is coming into it. You can go into that overload because of general symptoms and flight and fight, stressful life situations, or you can go into overload because of a flashback or intrusion. It can change your level of consciousness (think of the difference between being awake and asleep and then think of a lot of different levels and forms of dissociation between these) or it can be personality on the far end of the spectrum. A separation between different parts of yourself. They each have their own personalities and experiences, opinions etc.
The foggy or fading away type is really common and I have always done a lot of it too. Dissociation is really really hard to put into words. I have thought its like an alternative reality and one that doesn't have a language. If it is deep enough your brain doesnt really absorb what is happening around you very well so you can have reduced or no memory of what is happening. If you do it for many years you can have little memory of those years. The other reason someone wouldn't remember a whole period is if they have personality dissociation and another part of them experienced those things and not them. Thats more rare. There are also different body and other experiences than can be forms of dissociation.
For the foggy thing look at depersonalisation and derealisation. Be really patient with yourself as it is confusing! I relate to what you described and it sounds like things that would be normal with PTSD.
I don;t want to make it more confusing for you but flashbacks of all types are types of dissociation too. You dissociate back to your past trauma in some way or other. It can either involve most or all of your senses and your emotions and you believe its happening again. Or you can be in the present world in other ways but your emotions can be the same as your trauma happening now. That is an emotional flashback.
Dissociation of the other type is like a fuse is blown in a way. Its when your brain is overloaded and cant cope with what its dealing with and it then finds some way to separate or reduce what is coming into it. You can go into that overload because of general symptoms and flight and fight, stressful life situations, or you can go into overload because of a flashback or intrusion. It can change your level of consciousness (think of the difference between being awake and asleep and then think of a lot of different levels and forms of dissociation between these) or it can be personality on the far end of the spectrum. A separation between different parts of yourself. They each have their own personalities and experiences, opinions etc.
The foggy or fading away type is really common and I have always done a lot of it too. Dissociation is really really hard to put into words. I have thought its like an alternative reality and one that doesn't have a language. If it is deep enough your brain doesnt really absorb what is happening around you very well so you can have reduced or no memory of what is happening. If you do it for many years you can have little memory of those years. The other reason someone wouldn't remember a whole period is if they have personality dissociation and another part of them experienced those things and not them. Thats more rare. There are also different body and other experiences than can be forms of dissociation.
For the foggy thing look at depersonalisation and derealisation. Be really patient with yourself as it is confusing! I relate to what you described and it sounds like things that would be normal with PTSD.
pixel
Gold Member
Absolutely.
That's what dissociation is for, escaping when there is no escspe route.
As @Abstract clearly stated, its a variation in consciousness. Dissociation is a separation of ones thoughts, feelings, memory and identity.
That's a looooong and varied spectrum, which is likely the reason why you feel your experience is different. You are unique, so dissociation is unique to you.
However you experience it? if you have PTSD, you definitely belong here :tup:
- Post starter
- #28
Gs172003
Diamond Member
BuckarooBanzai
Platinum Member
This is a classic example of depersonalization, a form of dissociation.
This is derealization, another type of dissociation.
In general, dissociation is something you do to escape the present when you are overwhelmed by fear, etc.. A flashback is a physical or emotional return to a past traumatic event; you relive the trauma.
- Post starter
- #30
Gs172003
Diamond Member
Thank you that makes sense. Mine vary depending on how bad the trigger is and how intense.
- Post starter
- #31
Gs172003
Diamond Member
pixel
Gold Member
Sorry to hear that.
- Post starter
- #33
Gs172003
Diamond Member
Thanks
Muttly
Diamond Member
It seems like you've gotten a lot of answers to your questions but I wanted to share that I actually do the singing thing too. I also deporsonalize a lot I guess. And yes, you can definitely have a marriage missing. I realized recently that I don't remember university. I remember a few tiny pieces but mostly it's gone.
- Post starter
- #35
Gs172003
Diamond Member
Geez. I do like you all but not what I meant. I meant thank you all.
My brain has been a mess
- Post starter
- #36
Gs172003
Diamond Member
Thank you all for all your input. It helps. Alot.
- Status
Similar posts
Donation drives
Trending content
-
-
What Are You Feeling Today? Not Thinking, Rather Feeling! Can You Identify Yours?
- goingonhope
Comments: 34K -
-
-
-
