General Does our sufferer ever forget who they are?

[Sunshine71]

Hi all

Not been on here for a while and I hope you are well.

Just wanted some advice....

Last night around 4am my husband woke me by prodding me on my arm. He was standing next to the bed and I was of course asleep. He has PTSD from a car accident 30 years ago when he was just 18.

He asked me who he was, where he was and who I am. This hasn't happened I feel for a few years. We have lived in our house for 25 years.

I managed to get him back into bed and stroked his hair to help him relax telling him "I know you feel confused but you will feel better in the morning."

He tried to get up a few times after this but I managed to keep him in bed and back to sleep.

He said he felt not with it this morning..... sometimes this has happened and he still is very confused in the morning. Not knowing we have a son (he is 13) or thinking he is back in his previous job as a painter and decorator. He has has a new career for the past 10 years - although he hasn't worked ie getting paid all this time.

Last night he said he had terrible nightmares - and we are both stressed because of finances.

Does this sort of thing happen to your sufferer?

I am not even sure that it is PTSD or maybe something else too?? :(

Thanks for being there amazing people.

Sunshine x

 

[rosey]

I would suggest going to get some medical advice on this one. As a PTSD sufferer and trainee Psychologist this does not appear like a typical presentation of PTSD. Stress can affect in many different ways but I feel getting some professional input might be a good idea, especially if this has happened before or happens again.

 

[Friday]

I am not even sure that it is PTSD or maybe something else too?? :(

This is a seek immediate medical attention kind of thing.

Sure, severe disassociation can happen in myriad ways; but you reeeeeally want to rule out seizures & other highly treatable -and potentially lethal- medical conditions before shrugging it off as a psych symptom.

 

[Sunshine71]

Thanks for your replies - it has happened before and it was horrendous - he was lost in London -I called the police and I even had a mobile phone company tracking him. He eventually got to our local train station and walked past me - he didn't know who I was :( Doctor said to go to A and E - and we did - they just didn't do anything... several checks and nothing to show..... I am not sure if he will go again..... I am not sure I can make him. :(

 

[Justmehere]

Does he have a regular doctor he sees? Perhaps call that doc. See neurology, primary care, etc

I’ve lost sense of who I was and actually ended up in a dissociative fugue (but didn’t assume a new identity.) But there are so many possible causes. Even if 100 percent psych, there are some meds that might help pull out of a time where this is happening. (Naltrexone is one that reduces dissociation.)

Instead of posing it as a problem to be solved - maybe focus on seeking a medical evaluation as a possible path to relief.

 

[EveHarrington]

Is it triggered by stress usually?

I don’t have any advice. I ask because I have certain symptoms that are triggered by stress and my doctors are clueless as to what to do other than say document the situation, and it’s probably something you’ll have to attack via stress reduction. It sucks when it does pop up, because it’s one of those things that I can’t always hide (and I hate not being able to hide). Anyway...

 

[LuckiLee]

Dissociative amnesia??

My guy has memory problems and he has woken up not knowing "when or where" he is. He always knows "who" he is. This sounds like something more than PTSD.

I'd get him to the doctor for a full work up to determine if it's something physical or a mental condition.

 

[Sunshine71]

Thanks for your message and although I am sorry to hear you have something the same/ similar with your partner I am relieved a bit tbh that we are not alone :(

I had to Google Dissociative amnesia and it sounding like this could be it.... I have never heard of this before and no one has mentioned it.
Thank you so much and wishing you all the best Sunshine x

 

[Sunshine71]

Is it triggered by stress usually?

I don’t have any advice. I ask because I have certain symptoms that are triggered by stress and my doctors are clueless as to what to do other than say document the situation, and it’s probably something you’ll have to attack via stress reduction. It sucks when it does pop up, because it’s one of those things that I can’t always hide (and I hate not being able to hide). Anyway...

Thanks so much for your reply and sorry to hear about your situation too.

Yes I do feel it is stress related.... sadly we do seem to lead a stressful life - and TBH he brings a lot of it on himself :(

I think we need to let more go over our heads but its easier said than done!!!

Thanks you again Sunshine

 

[Sunshine71]

Does he have a regular doctor he sees? Perhaps call that doc. See neurology, primary care, etc

I’ve lost sense of who I was and actually ended up in a dissociative fugue (but didn’t assume a new identity.) But there are so many possible causes. Even if 100 percent psych, there are some meds that might help pull out of a time where this is happening. (Naltrexone is one that reduces dissociation.)

Instead of posing it as a problem to be solved - maybe focus on seeking a medical evaluation as a possible path to relief.

Thank you for this.... he doesnt have anyone at the moment - he has always said the doctors/ counselors etc have made it all worse..... even medication didnt help him - he came off as he hated feeling like a zombie - but this took years to wean off....

I just dont know really - keep talking about what happened/ happens just isnt for him - but it took years to realise this.....

Will check out the Naltrexone you mentioned..... thank you xxx

 

[somerandomguy]

Ok late on this because I don't check the supporter forum.

This has sort of happened to me but was accompanied by extreme emotional agitation. Once I thought I was dead and was in hell, and I wasn't sure if the previous 40 years had actually happened. I agree that it is a time to immediately seek medical and/or mental help.

 

[candor]

It is really important to rule out any physical medical disorder first. Psychologically, most people have heard of autistic spectrum. Less have heard of a dissasociation spectrum. It has a name: schizotypy. I have a dissociative personality as do some I know. I have always known its me but have had amnesia of events and spacial disorientation. It no longer scares me. It is always a sign that my stress levels are triggered. Here is the definition: In psychology, schizotypy is a theoretical concept that posits a continuum of personality characteristics and experiences, ranging from normal dissociative, imaginative states to extreme states of mind related to psychosis, especially schizophrenia. I can describe it as an episode that happens unvoluntarily. I consider it important to stay calm when it happens to others as well as when it happens to me. It is poorly understood though widely recognized. I prefer to see it as a protective mechanism.