Losing Time

[Abstract]

people committing crimes and stuff out of their character while in a dissociative state

Hi jjh, could you give an example? I don't think I have ever seen such a thing.

 

[jjh29]

Yes since bring diagnosed with ptsd I have googled ptsd and dissociation and have come across stories of these occurrences. They have all been army vets but it is still ptsd and they still call it dissociative episodes so its the same right? Am I allowed to write names to look up on here or specific things?

 

[Abstract]

Ah that makes more sense. Flashbacks are considered dissociation. So when one has what can be called a dissociated flashback then we can react to the world around us as if we are back in the trauma. Soldiers traumas tend to involve shooting or other possible violence and so it is possible they could think they are back in a war zone and therefore hurt those around them. They would also need combat skills or a weapon for there to be a risk of that happening.

That is extremely different to what is likely to happen if someone who has abuse as a trauma has a full flashback and it is totally different to what anyone would be likely to do if they were dissociating in other ways regardless of the type of trauma that caused the PTSD. People doing average dissociation (full flashbacks are rare) tend to either look and behave similarly to what they would normally do or appear distracted, sleepy or unresponsive.

Dissociative identity issues are totally different and are when the personality splits and that happens only with a combination of the right biology and repeated severe traumas prior age 5 or 6.

 

[Springer80]

There is a book called 'Time Lived Without It''s Flow' by Denise Riley, an English scholar about the three years after her son died.

 

[jjh29]

Oops I meant to say being not bringing.

 

[jjh29]

Well that makes sense:) I wondered why they were all army vets! I am a person who constantly worries (even before ptsd) and when I read stuff like that I think I send myself over the edge with the worst possible outcomes. Thank you abstract for clarifying the difference.

 

[amethist]

Am I allowed to write names to look up on here or specific things?

I would be very careful about posting names up so it can be searched for. These poor guy's have suffered enough. So to be honest I would say no, don't do it.

 

[jjh29]

Your right its really sad and I feel for them and their families. This disorder is an awful one to have that torments everybody involved.

 

[jjh29]

I am really thankful I found this site. It is really helpful and everyone on here is very helpful. Thank you all for that. I think I get more help here than from my T. I'm not sure if its because I'm new to therapy or not but right now she doesn't really say too much (feedback) just constantly writes in her pad after I speak. I'm trying to give it a chance since I just started but man I like to get answers and feedback.

 

[Abstract]

I can definitely see how easy it would be to worry terribly if you are a worrier. It is disturbing not knowing what one has done. The sad fact is that worrying like that is likely to have you dissociate more!

I don't know if you have looked at Radical Acceptance or not but it might be worth having a read. I have found it helpful in many contexts and when building tolerance to difficult feelings.

 

[jjh29]

Where do I find this?

 

[Abstract]

Here is a good starting point: http://www.dbtselfhelp.com/html/radical_acceptance.html

but man I like to get answers

If your t hasn't told you about things such as grounding etc then I would say this to her directly. Ask her if there ways you can manage your symptoms. You should be able to ask her questions when it comes to these things and she should be able to give you input.

Is she a trauma T and does she know you have PTSD?