Does anyone else get this? zoning out when stressed.

[PDH]

I tend to zone out quite a bit if I'm stressed, really tired or just feeling triggered in some way.

There are some times where I'm just staring off into nothing, and it almost feels like a wall goes up behind my eyes...but behind the wall its like theres something playing out. The only way I can even think to describe it is like theres a movie playing but its just different shades of black. I can't make anything out. I don't even know if there is anything to make out. Usually when I snap out of it, I feel sick, or have a headache or feel totally wiped out. It kind of scares the crap out of me when it happens.

Is this just dissociation or is it a flashback thats trying to make its way to the surface?

Has anyone else experienced anything like this?

 

[Kieran]

I tend to zone out quite a bit if I'm stressed, really tired or just feeling triggered in some way.

I'm in the same boat with you. For people who have endured trauma, the brain uses its safety coping mechanism. Dissociation. It could be that there are things trying to make its way to the surface, but it can also be your brain's way of saying "This is too much right now, powering down..." While dissociation is different for everyone, it's just a way to avoid stress that your brain can't handle at the current time.

Whenever I get stressed, I tend to dissociate for a while. When I don't stress, I do dissociate, but it happens less often. I don't think you have anything to worry about, but talking about what you're feeling may help.

 

[nerfmercy]

I completely understand what you mean. I do this quite a lot. I can be happy and having a joke and doing something i enjoy but something triggers a stress, for example, can't find the car in the car park, and i'll go quiet and no one can get through to me. When its something big, for example i have an exam tomorrow morning, i just sleep. I can't seem to bring myself to do anything. It is like you say, a wall.

 

[PDH]

Thank you both for your replies. It makes me feel a bit better that I'm not alone in this.
I only brought up 'the wall' with my T last session because I've been too scared to talk about it.
She knows I zone out, as sometimes in a hard session it happens, but i'd never discussed what goes on while the zone outs are happening.
I'm seeing her again in a couple of days so will probably delve into it a bit more.

 

[nerfmercy]

It will probably be best to talk about it. She might be able to help you understand them a bit more.