Question About Dissociation

[EvenStrongerNow]

Does anyone only present dissociative symptoms when triggered?

 

[FindingMyself88]

I'm not familiar with DID. However, I know I dissociate at the slightest of stressors or triggers. My biggest challenge right now is staying in the present...

 

[EvenStrongerNow]

From what I understand, dissociation is now a symptom of ptsd. It seems the only time I experience a disruption in awareness or my identity is when I'm experiencing an emotional flashback.

 

[mamachick]

I think I dissociate, but am not aware of it at the time. Sometimes others give me a que the brings me back, and it is during a triggered thought or flashback.

 

[silkleaves]

I don't know what my triggers are, and it's very frustrating because I don't know what to avoid or work on. From my point of view, I will disassociate for no reason at all..one moment I'm fine and the next thing I know, anywhere from minutes to hours have passed.

My therapist though told me that there is something. She explained to me that everyone, at all times has thoughts running through their head. Because I have such a bad issue with ruminating, she said its possible that there are thoughts going on that I'm not even aware of that trigger the disassociative state. So from what she said, it is triggers that cause it.

But I feel stuck because, like I said..I don't even know what my triggers are and not always aware of even thinking about something that would trigger me. That's just something I'm taking her word for.

Oh, to add..when I am "actively" ruminating, spinning something around in my head that is making me anxious, I don't shut down, I fire up. I can't sleep, I feel panicked, angry, flustered, my body starts hurting, like...instead of check out I wind up big time.

I really don't understand myself to be honest. It's all really confusing.

 

[EvenStrongerNow]

@silkleaves, I remember having the same experience three years ago. I didn't know what my triggers were either. I read a book that I recommend. It's called "I Can't Get Over It". It's a trauma book that can be found on amazon. It really helped me to identify at least some of my triggers. After some time in therapy, I learned more and more. It gets easier.

 

[silkleaves]

Thanks for the book recommendation @EvenStrongerNow, I'm going to check into that. Not knowing really is hard!

 

[EvenStrongerNow]

You're welcome :) It is really hard. I feel you. My flashbacks and responses to triggers has definitely reduced post therapy. Let me know how you like the book. Knowing your triggers will definitely help with coping.

 

[billie]

Yep. My last therapy sesh I don't remember well. DID truly makes you feel mad.

 

[Notsowild]

I'm a little confused. I've had dissociative disorder since childhood . I never assumed it was "triggered". It's just something you get from complex trauma. Right or wrong?

 

[digger]

There are different types of dissociation and dissociative disorders @Notsowild http://www.mind.org.uk/information-...problems/dissociative-disorders/#.U5AeCH81hcs
I think the OP though was just asking about dissociative symptoms being present only when triggered. But again, there is a huge range of dissociative symptoms from daydreaming to personality splits.

@EvenStrongerNow could you expand on what dissociative symptoms mean for you?

 

[EvenStrongerNow]

Sure. When I'm experiencing an emotional flashback (I should've clarified in my OP) or when I'm triggered, I sometimes have disruptions in my awareness and identity. I lose sight of my own perception and feel like I'm someone else or regress to who I was during trauma and start acting like it while in my head, I'm going "Why are you saying these things? Why are you acting like this?"