Losing Touch With Reality?

[fallout]

Has anyone been told that they are losing touch with reality? I took a test that revealed my thoughts have become so fragmented that I can't distinguish the line between fact and fiction anymore, and I feel discouraged because of it.

I want to take the initiative and be active in my healing, but whenever I have an idea I second guess it because the pro's tell me my logic is as good as a schizophrenic's. How can I feel confident about anything I do or say to people when I know that about myself? It really worries me in the case of friendships I am trying to keep by giving my carers a break from my PTSD. I try to talk about normal things instead, but apparently I just inevitably end up sounding like a loon.

Can anybody relate to this?

 

[linasmom]

Hmm, what is reality? It's really only your interpretation of a situation - it's not true or false, it's yours.

But back to basics - what sort of test did you take that revealed your thoughts have become fragmented to the point that you can't distinguish the line between fact and fiction? I'm weary of "tests".

I can relate to misinterpreting things, if that's what you're talking about. My husband is a good reference point for me during these times - I go to him and ask if he sees my interpretations filtered through a faulty lens, and he'll tell me how he sees something and we'll try to rationalize through situations. I think it's always good to have someone on whom you can rely to help sort through the warped thinking.

"losing touch with reality" is such a scary statement that I think is perpetuated by people in general way too much. It's some sort of statement that is thrown around without thought or true meaning and I think sounds way worse than it probably is. I think EVERYONE goes through moments in their life where they "lose touch with reality" (whatever that means!), PTSD or not. I think it is a human condition and not one reserved solely for those with mental disorders.

I think it will pass and then maybe come around again at some point. At least, that's how it works for me.

Best,
Rachel

 

[UmightKnowMe]

I was also wondering what kind of test this was.

I often wish I could have a social interpreter to go around with me for awhile and help me figure out stuff like this. Kinda like Rachel says she uses her husband. Of course everything is open to interpretation (like the story about the elephant and the blind men) and so whoever is interpreting for us could be interpreting a different reality too!

whoa it boggles the mind!!

 

[fallout]

Rachel, that is a good point. What I'm getting is my reality.
The test I took was one of those Rorschach ink blot ones. Apparently the results were grossly atypical, although I'm not sure how they decided what the "right" way to interpret ink blots is.

A social interpreter does sound like a good reference point...because even if they are loopy too at least I'd have company! I think I understand what you guys mean though, "losing touch" probably sounds a lot scarier than it is. Thanks.

 

[Simmo67]

Lisasmom, if you don't mind me suggesting, I think "reality" is what "most" people or the "average" person sees.

I know I get so angry with myself because I can live in an altered reality for months at an end, and then of course come crashing down when I realise my reality is not in keeping with the real world. I seem to suffer delusions of grandeur -only to fall in a heap when I fail - bipolar symptons almost. I take mood stabilisers (sodium valproate) but I really don't know if that helps :think: Some days, I just don't seem to "see" situations as other people do.

 

[moloki]

Reality, what a great concept!

f I were in a better state of mind (meaning more focused) I could easily write a major essay on this topic. But for now, will touch on it, as I my present state of being / mind allow.

How about being in the state of mind where you no longer have the desire to be part of this so called reality!

I have become so detached so many times, that I could not count them if I tried!

The movie, "The Matrix" comes to mind, which touches on these concepts quite well.

I often question as to whether or not that I or anyone else is "truly here", that perhaps this is all some grand illusion / delusion as the case may be.

That perhaps back in 1977, when I took about 300 times the recommended dosages of 3 medications, which I was supposedly was in a coma for three days, that perhaps I entered into that "place" which some call purgatory, or whatever other appropriate name that any given religion or philosophy may call it. So, consequently, I sometimes ask myself, did I really survive?


I have had many near death experiences, I have also had many supernatural experiences that defy explanation by so called scientific methods.

I have studied three spiritual philosophies to greater degree than others, Christianity (The Bible), Buddhism and Navajo spiritual beliefs. I have seen certain consistencies in all three of these.

I don't fit into most any given "church or religious affiliation" because of having belief in all three of these spiritual areas. Christian churches, especially are difficult because of there exclusive and limited and rigid beliefs and "laws".

I am an avid believer in the Edgar Cayce readings and teachings, which to me make considerable sense, albeit the writing style can be quite challenging to decipher at times.

So for the most part I and my wife, who is Navajo who has both traditional Navajo spiritual beliefs as well as Christian upbringing mostly do not attend formal churches but practice our spiritual beliefs mostly in private.

I do however meet with a Jehova Witness on a weekly basis, because their belief or "proper understanding and interpretation" are mostly consitent with my own Christian comprehenision, yet I dare not talk about Bhudism, and he has already made some direct and indirect reference to the nature of Native American spiritual beliefs not being "right".

So why do I bring up spiritual matters in this topic. Because of the expression that we are spiritual beings currently existing in human form, or something along those lines.

Perhaps I am too "liberal" or open minded about these things. And how did the word liberal become such a bad word, have these people even looked up the word in the dictionary, I often ask!

This concept of "Normal" is just that, a concept. I am 49 years old now and still waiting to meet just one so called "Normal" person! In a simalar vein as to how Henry David Thoureu stated "The mass of men live lives of quiet desperation." I state the greater majority of people the world over are just completely out-of-sane! And in America, this, in my not so humble opionion, has come to reach such an outrageous level, that I often feel that if I am to maintain for much longer, any sense of sanity, that I must find a country where sanity is at least far more prevalent than here, assuming of course there is such a place!

In my opionion, anyone who considers America as the "Greatest country in the world" is, especially now, should rightly be considered delusional, or brainwashed way, way, far away from rational!

I have been seriously contemplating and trying to come up with some form of plan for moving to another country, I am fully aware that there are various problems in any given country, but so far as I am concerned, my "assigned" country has gone completely out-of-sane. If this is reality, then surely I say, "Beam me up Scotty! Get me the heaven out of here!"

Ok, so I have been researching and or considering the following countries, Canada, Switzerland, Australia, Germany, France (who understandably don't think much of Americans and would probably not be the best choice)

Of course our ex-president and his neo-consertatives, did a really good job of making most of the world quite angry! Most people are even afraid to discuss these topics in our so-called democratic society, and for good reason. I myself have in recent years come to that state of mind of "Give me liberty or give me death" Not that I truly want to die, mind you, but I am truly outraged by a great many outrageous things going on in the Greedy and Corrupt Corporate bought off government. Don't get me wrong, there are still some good people in America. But Corruption is rampant in this country, maybe not to third world level, but far beyond what can be construed as dangerous. And now the economic collaspse has affected global economy as well.


And again I go off on one of my many tangents! I shall stop my ranting and raving for the moment and come back to "Reality" :)

As, I stated in my title, "Reality, what a great concept!"

I must refer back to what a frustrated therapist said to me back during the first term of the Bush Administration:

"IT JUST IT!" Meaning I just need to accept it and stop trying to make sense of a senseless society, or world as the case may be!

This "acceptance" principal is far more difficult than I could have previously imagined!

Ok, I think, I breathe and therefore I am! Or at least I think I think and breathe and therefore I might be ;)

And in spite of all my rantings, I do have much to be thankful for! For I see many people the world over in far worse places than we are! So please forgive my current cynical state of mind. :crazy:



Sincerely,

Moloki