I feel like i've lost my mind, what could be going on with me?

[Ronin]

It could also be good things...

In you are noticing the times you lose time more, *because* not busy simply surviving.

Aka on repair of damage instead of only bouncing from the hits.

 

[hope4us]

Dissociation. Often part of the avoidance bundle. Sometimes becomes big enough to become a thing seperate to, and in addition to, the standard ptsd symptoms.

Can you try something that will be soothing and help bring your mind back to the current situation you're in? A lot of people find that helps ease dissociative symptoms.

i had a weird incident today in which i was talking about my ex who had abused, terrorized me, and after i finally got away from him he stalked me. i was telling someone about him stalking me, and they asked me a few questions, and when they asked for my phone number it was like my mind went completely blank. i know what my phone number is but i had to think about it and i kept saying "um... um ...um..." and than i finally remembered it. but it was so weird cause at first all i could remember was the area code, but than it was like the other 7 digits were blocked from my memory, and than all the sudden it came back to me and i remembered it. my memory makes me feel like i have dementia, and ive heard of this dissociative amnesia, could that be whats going on with me? anyone have similiar occurances?

 

[Sideways]

I've definitely had mind go blank when talking about things that relate to my trauma. When talking about my trauma specifically? I have a hard time remembering what year we're in let alone things like my phone number.

That's indicative of the level of distress you're under. From the traumatic experiences you've been through. It gets easier, it really does. Give yourself time, and try not to beat yourself up about the brain not functioning so great every now and then, yeah?

 

[hope4us]

I've definitely had mind go blank when talking about things that relate to my trauma. When talking about my trauma specifically? I have a hard time remembering what year we're in let alone things like my phone number.

That's indicative of the level of distress you're under. From the traumatic experiences you've been through. It gets easier, it really does. Give yourself time, and try not to beat yourself up about the brain not functioning so great every now and then, yeah?

yeah ive had my mind go blank a lot when attempting to discuss trauma or things related to it, sometimes ill suddenly lose my train of thought altogether and other times i know what im trying to explain but i cannot put it into words

 

[Psychedelicrescendo]

Yeah, I've known I've had a dissociative disorder for years, but it plays out in so many different ways, depending on my stress levels and my situation.

Sometimes I get in a textbook derealization space. Other times I switch alters. Other times I just space out, the lights are on but no one's home.

So there's still times for me, years later, where it's like, "What the hell is this!?" Dissociation is a spectrum thing - may have been mentioned to you already, idk. So just like a kaleidoscope of colours, it can play out in all different ways.

Typically it's an avoidance thing. And sometimes it's as subtle as your brain switching down a few gears because of emotions it's trying to avoid, or stressors it's trying to avoid.

You freaked yourself out a bit with something floating in the bath, right? That's sounded totally me. I see something that doesn't instantly make sense, so my head goes in all horrible directions instantaneously, and it can be sickening.

The stress from that alone, when you have ptsd on board? Could definitely set off a dissociative "Brain is overloaded and can't cope" state. Something that made you cry because it impacted you so much, even though it was brief.

Our stress cups run very full. Stuff like that can easily tip us over into 'not coping' territory, avoiding life and stress and emotions and thoughts (or any combination of those) by dissociating. When we do that? The psycho-speak is 'avoidance'. 'Avoidance' symptoms being in the medical meaning of the word Avoidance, rather than the everyday meaning you and I ascribe to it.

Omg I really love how you put that into words, I relate so much