[Pippo98]

Hello! I am very confused at the moment because what I am experiencing I'm not sure can be considered dissociation or not. I have looked around and asked my therapist (current and old) but all the facts I've found out seem to contradict each other... I was wondering if anyone here could help me out.

I have BPD, derealisation and depersonalisation disorder (and quite possibly PTSD) I know that I do dissociate, it's been happening for several years on and off... But there are also times where I lose time. For example, I might be on the train and receive news that makes the intensity of my emotion sky rocket and then 'stuff' happens because usually the scenery has changed or the situation has, or I've done something to myself, or people are snapping their fingers in front of my face while I am trying to stutter my way through a sentence (usually my therapist). This happens wherever I happen to be at the time, but when my emotion gets too much. My mind just switches off. I don't know if this is just because I can't recall what has happened or because of something else but this isn't depersonalisation because I feel and see what happens when that occurs. But these events that happen aren't traumatic... I just can't seem to handle the emotions so it isn't dissociative amnesia.

Is this dissociation or something else? Thank you in advance

[dlantern]

In therapy I'd discuss the following fingers manual dexterity. I chant what ever is lost in those moment, so that safe training is necessary....

[amandalouise]

Originally Posted by Pippo98

Hello! I am very confused at the moment because what I am experiencing I'm not sure can be considered dissociation or not. I have looked around and asked my therapist (current and old) but all the facts I've found out seem to contradict each other... I was wondering if anyone here could help me out.

I have BPD, derealisation and depersonalisation disorder (and quite possibly PTSD) I know that I do dissociate, it's been happening for several years on and off... But there are also times where I lose time. For example, I might be on the train and receive news that makes the intensity of my emotion sky rocket and then 'stuff' happens because usually the scenery has changed or the situation has, or I've done something to myself, or people are snapping their fingers in front of my face while I am trying to stutter my way through a sentence (usually my therapist). This happens wherever I happen to be at the time, but when my emotion gets too much. My mind just switches off. I don't know if this is just because I can't recall what has happened or because of something else but this isn't depersonalisation because I feel and see what happens when that occurs. But these events that happen aren't traumatic... I just can't seem to handle the emotions so it isn't dissociative amnesia.

Is this dissociation or something else? Thank you in advance

Im sorry but I cant answer your question of whether what you posted is dissociation or something else. doing that would be making a diagnosis of you.

what I can do is tell you here in the USA the definition of dissociation is a normal reaction to a trigger. here it is feeling things like emotional numbness, spaced out, disconnected because of a trigger...

example

when it thunders outside I feel emotionally numb. the thunder is the trigger and emotionally numb is the reaction which is a dissociation symptom here in the USA.

your location says you are in spain. to find out what the mental health definition of dissociation where you are and whether what you are going through is called dissociation you will need to contact your treatment providers. they will be able to diagnose whether what you posted is dissociation and get you on a treatment plan so that it doesnt keep happening for you.

[Amyjay]

Hi Pippo, welcome. I think it does sound like it could be related to dissociation, and it sounds like you already dissociate quite a bit anyway (with the depersonalization and derealization diagnoses.) What does your therapist say about it? I don't think these symptoms should be ignored. When I get triggered and then find that things have suddenly changed in my environment can be because I've tranced out for a while or another alter was triggered out and I wasn't aware.

Hi Pippo, welcome to PC!

It sounds a lot like possibly going into shock...or acute stress disorder (had 2 look that second part up ).

Shock: Causes, Symptoms and Diagnosis

“The term “shock” may refer to a psychologic or a physiologic type of shock. Psychologic shock is caused by a traumatic event and is also known as acute stress disorder. This type of shock causes a strong emotional response and may cause physical responses as well.”

Maybe being prone to dissociation plays into this too? I don’t know, I’m not an expert. Maybe you and your T can look into this?

Good luck anyways.

(Sorry about the link- just giving credit where credit is due)