Numbness Of Feelings?

[heatherfeather]

Is this something that is part of dissociation? Also can one who has Combat PTSD regain this or is it gone forever?

 

[Indifferent]

New to this. But I would say numbness of feelings and dissociation can definitely go hand in hand. Wish I had some advice for you.

 

[Red Feather]

I feel numb most of the time. It my way of dealing with the enormous amount of stress I am under. I think dissociation is curable through therapy. Like you can work on yourself, get grounded, and find ways to stop doing it through support and help with your T.

 

[Indifferent]

Nadia, I agree. Numbness is a coping mechanism. I'm unfamiliar with how exactly you can "cure" this but I do agree that talking about these issues with a professional will probably help. I'm pretty new to this stuff so I don't really know.

Have you been a member of this forum/site for long?

 

[Red Feather]

Well I've been on the site for around 2 months now. PTSD can't be cured but can be managed. Dissociation is something natural like daydreaming, and it also can be an automatic response to a threatening situation. It's a defense mechanism. Being numb on an going basis, i.e. dissociated for longer periods of time, so much that you can't stop it and it effects your life, that is when it gets to be something a T can help with.

I think personally I have been this way all my life. It is not only numbness in my case, I have difficulties
concentrating and have a lot of derealizatinos. Also I often have the impression that my sense of identity is troubled. I have a lot more symptoms so that my doctor thinks I might have a dissociative disorder.

This is all very confusing because I have PTSD, but it is a complex trauma so I could also have DESNOS or C-PTSD which would link to the dissociative disorder. So in the end the only real help is a good T and working through the trauma.

 

[Indifferent]

That sounds like a heck of a load to carry. I appreciate you letting me know you've been around here for a few months. I just joined and it's overwhelming and great all at once. Is good to know I'm not the only one with these thoughts and questions.

I agree that working with someone is going to help you in the long run. It's the getting there that is hard!

As for ongoing dissociation - do you know if it can appear after a long period of time from the trauma and then last for years after the fact? Is it normal to numb out and lose big blanks of time for no apparent reason?

 

[Red Feather]

Yes, but you really need to see a doctor about it. If you are blanking out and forgetting things, a doctor really needs to know. Also I just read recently that doing a lot of meditation and self hypnosis after a traumatic event might contribute to getting PTSD. That is what happened to me anyways. I developed full blown PTSD after 5 years after the trauma. I know was dissociating earlier, but now it is a lot stronger.

 

[Indifferent]

Ihave recently began seeing a psych and I have told her about this. No where near a diagnosis at this point but am glad to hear at least is not completely abnormal.

Have afew questions as a newbie on here. CAn the email address we have to registrar with be traced via google etc?

Also, PTSD you said you developed after 5 yrs? Do you develope it after time has passed or is it always there after trauma and just sort of appears here and there for periods of time and then kind of numbs out and becomes dormant? I don't think I had anytthing full blown until a few yrs ago but prob had symptoms or periods of PTSD (looking back in retrospect) for chunks of time over last 15yrs or so.

As for combat trauma and ptsd resurfacing I have no experience there personally but I believe that yes those memories will always be there and is a manner of whether they can be managed. I'm sure that's as terrible for you to hear as is for me to try and accept for myself.

Just also want to add that if your pers struggle or that of a loved one is from combat my hat is off to you! Solders are my hero's so thank you for whatever capacity that you served and suffer for.

 

[Red Feather]

I think I always had some symptoms of PTSD like depression, dissociations, nightmares and anxiety. But didn't have flashbacks until recently.

 

[Indifferent]

My apologies Nadia. I can't post anymore right now as my first one in the intro section asked about google acces and privacy. The moderator's advised me not to post until my questions are answered and I don't want to get kicked off this site. Once things are sorted out I will re-post on this thread. You take care of yourself.

I hope you are seeing a therapist to help you.

 

[heatherfeather]

My boyfriend/ex has had these feelings returning...He has only been out of the army for about 9 months now... however he was in for 9 years and did 3 tours over seas fighting in the war. I just wondering if he will ever beable to feel again or is this something that I will never experience again.

 

[Indifferent]

Nadia - do you have someone you are talking to abou this?

Until recently I suffered on my own and had no real idea of what i was facing - ptsd. i had to hit close to bottom and then come up again before i was willing or ready to look for proffessional help. if you are in crisis or can feel yourself getting to that point d not wait as as hard as it is to ask for help from a professional - you are worth it and it will help.


heatherfeather: you and your boyfriend are not alone. i see you are a new member as am i and i wish i had some advise specific to your situation. - i have done some looking around on this site prior to joining and i believe that there are some threads you can join that will help you in terms of dealing with combat ptsd and as that will help you as a supporter. hang in there.