Is This Disassociation?

[SeaQuel]

I'm aware that I have had instances of dissociation and flashbacks, which is separate from what I want to address here. I have had some longer periods of time where I am really stuck in certain (non-trauma related) thoughts. During those times, I'm mostly in the present - I know exactly where I am and what I'm thinking about - but sometimes a few hours can go by before I snap out of it. Is that normal behavior or it that dissociative behavior? It's largely not an issue, as in it's not disrupting me from my daily life, but it is certainly cutting down on the number of hours I have at my disposal on days when this happens.

 

[Ice_Fire]

I don't know, I think it is a form of dissociation? I do this an awful lot.

 

[SeaQuel]

Are you able to snap yourself out of it if you wanted to? For me, it feels like I could - with some effort - but that my brain just really needs to run through the thoughts, so I let it.

I'm wondering if my meds are causing this, in particular my sleep med (trazadone). I've also been taking an SSRI for several months now, though I'm currently in the process of tapering off.

Anyone else have any experience with this or know if this is common for people without PTSD?

 

[Ice_Fire]

I think I could snap myself out of it yes. It's different to when I 'completely' dissociate and have no way of knowing what I have or haven't done. Like you say though, sometimes it feels necessary to just let my mind sort through whatever thoughts I'm having. But if I get disturbed or happen to check the time, then yes I can snap out of it.

I'm not sure it's due to medication as I've been off any for a couple of months. Having said that, it does seems to happen less now so maybe the meds play a part in it, even if not the cause.

 

[SeaQuel]

@Ice_Fire I hope you don't mind all of questions, it's just that this is really helping me. When you have these longer periods of brain wandering (for lack of a better term), are you running through trauma or non-trauma related thoughts or both?

 

[Ice_Fire]

@DancingBull no worries, it helps me to think through what exactly is going on too. Erm, for the most part it's just random things, not trauma related. As soon as it gets to trauma stuff I tend to dissociate to the point where I'm no longer grounded or aware of my surroundings. But when I lose time and my brain goes on holiday, it's mainly just really mundane things!

 

[rosiemac]

i saw a new counsellor today. i told her that i'm so scared because at times flashbacks feel like i'm watching a movie and no i don't want to so i use CBT to switch off. sometimes it works sometimes not but the worse flashbacks mean i'm right back where i was and it's all being done to me again. it's happened to me when i was with other people and they told me i was staring at a corner, eyes blank of expression and when they tried to give me a gentle shake i jumped up and scared them. my counsellor tells me i'm disassociating and it scares the living daylight out of me. she told me that CBT isn't enough and she's going to use other techniques. psychiatrist keeping me on 2 loads of anti depressants and i don't think they're really helping. i'm so scared. do you have these too? and has anyone told you that you might be disassociating?