Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Support Group

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Anxiety Disorders
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Dissociation

FilmGirl
FilmGirl

have you ever dissociated so bad you felt nothing and everything all at once? Like you’re trapped in your own body? And you’ll do anything to feel something and yet not feel anything at the same time? I hope i’m not the only one. 

waz
waz
Yes and I think it is more common than society gives credit for. When I feel like this I try and focus on those aspects of my life that I am grateful for. That gives me the positive emotions I need to get me through the phase. They don't have to be big things, it might be that someone said thank you, or smiled just at the right time. If I look for them it takes my mind of all the negative thoughts running wild in my head.
arfie
arfie
Nope. You aren't the only one.

My case is extreme, but I have levels of dissociation. Your description could describe my first level. When I ply therapy tools at this level, I can usually head off the deeper levels. I've dissociated to catatonia. Doesn't wanna go *there* again. It's really hard to come back from.
Kate1976
Kate1976
Absolutely!!! You are not alone. I have seen conversations I respond to while I am still looking for a way out of the room at the same time.
FilmGirl
FilmGirl
How do you make it stop? I’ve been in the middle of dissociation for about 3 hours now and I can’t seem to snap out of it
JustKeepClimbing
JustKeepClimbing
Definitely not alone. I think something that helps me come out of it is when I do eventually feel an emotion (sometimes takes days if I'm going through a tough spell), I identify the feeling and actually say it out loud to myself. It's simple but it does help me feel a bit more present.
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