People think i'm ignoring them when i'm disassociating.

[cat-lady]

This is a socially difficult symptom for me. I often am so unaware of my surroundings that I'll walk right past someone who I know without realizing they're trying to talk to me or that they're even there. People think I'm purposefully ignoring them and often I can't correct the problem because I don't even realize when it's happened. How do others of you deal with this? It's especially awkward when at work or school and dealing with superiors. With friends it would be easy to explain but I'm not quite sure how to bring this up in other circles. I was thinking of posting an explanation to social media accounts. That way people I've done this to will get the message even if I don't know I need to bring it up with that person and explain. Do any of you know of a good resource I could quote for a soundbite sized quote that helps explain this PTSD symptom? Thanks.

 

[Cannottakethis]

I definitely identify with you on people thinking I'm ignoring them. My husband sees it happen and understands what dissociating is and just gently brings me back.

Do you want to put up a definition of dissociation, or are you planning on telling people you have ptsd which is why you dissociate? I'm unclear on why and what you want to post on social media. If someone asks me "where did you go" or something about ignoring, I apologize and tell them I got either lost in thought, caught up in my head or thinking about my upcoming vacation.
You might find some kind of quote on this site, or on the US VA site. I've never seen anything that specific personally but I hope you find something. Let us know.

 

[Cannottakethis]

There is another post in this same section called Dissociation Explained. You might be able to use something from that. It's the textbook perfect definition of the different types of dissociation.

 

[Neverthesame]

What about?
"Sorry I didn't notice you. My body was there, but my mind was miles away."

 

[Deleted member 12723]

I can get kind of spacey too. A lot of the time things just do not occur to me so I am at a great disadvantage there. No need to go into it with anyone either if this is not a good solution for you.

 

[Muted]

Hyperfocusing...

 

[cat-lady]

Thanks everyone! Yeah, most of the people at work and school know I have PTSD but don't know a lot about it. I basically want to make sure they know it's a symptom and that I'm not icing them out on purpose. Thanks for your suggestions. I will look that stuff up to post.