This is so me. When I talk about my trauma, especially CSA trauma, I talk about it as if I'm talking about a movie or documentary that happens to have me as the main role. I have no emotions when talking about the events. I can sometimes feel tears escaping my eyes, zone out or feel some kind of physical pain, but I don't feel the emotions.
One of the scariest ways I (apparently) dissociate is suddenly (mostly temporarily, however) losing interest in people I've been getting closer to, or want to be closer to. I can really like them and be 'into' them (platonically, or romantically, but romantic is worse) then suddenly there's little to no interest. This can happen whether the interest on their part is mutual or not (and also happens with hobbies - I can have done something and derived pleasure from it for years, or start something new and be intensely interested for a while then I'll suddenly go cold towards it and can't get away from it fast enough. Last time it happened was after a martial arts session - I carried on for a few weeks after that, but it was physically painful forcing myself through the sessions). There never seems to be an actual trigger. I'm always left wondering what happened! I've started to dislike trying new hobbies as a result, and it makes me a little iffy about meeting new people, especially men who could potentially become romantic partners, though it isn't going to stop me trying to build connections. I daydream and fantasise a lot, too, which is relatively harmless in comparison to the above, still not great but at least it's not something I risk having to explain to another person.
After losing a lot of weight (because I turned to food for comfort due to childhood trauma) I am working through trauma and what I always called my "unreal feeling" (dissociation). Your videos are helpful!
I suffered as a child I don't know when it started but checking my medical records I was diagnosed with Schizophrenia in 1961 when I was 11 years old, this proved to be a miss diagnosis, I found whole days with no memory, I would go to bed and wake up the next morning only to find a day or two had gone by and sometimes 4 or 5 days, I would have no memory of anything that had happened during this time, I had no idea what I had done, it was a total blank, words can't describe the fear of things I could have done, I made arrangements and appointments without any knowledge and never turned up, I would go to work to find the job I was working on was finished and I had no idea what I was meant to be doing, I was fired a couple of times for things I knew nothing about, it gradually got less and less as the years went by and stopped when I was about 25, I'm 72 now and still have a fear of it starting up again, I was never diagnosed, there was very little information back then in the 50s and 60s, so I just learned to live with it... Ken
@@LewisPsychology I hope this gives hope to anyone who is suffering from this kind of illness, time can cure this even without any treatment, have faith.
Ken, I am sorry you have suffered so much in your life. I'm sorry for the things that happened that cause you to dissociate. I relate to your pain. The dissociative symptoms I experience are not exactly the same, but I understand childhood trauma is the catalyst for this as it is a survival mechanism. We deserved so much more. ❣️😕
Thank you for including daydreaming on that spectrum, I have ADHD and C-PTSD and dissociations either way can be exhausting, the time blindness and "coming back" feelings are the worst, but my therapist uses similar grounding techniques you explained here. Thank you for this!
Very helpful. How damaging can dissociation be ? I feel I got robbed of being myself for 52 years of life.. pls explain bc this is a very intense realization.
Wow. I am so sorry. I can relate. I have had about two decades of problems related to grief and trauma. I thought I was alone in experiencing such detachment from normal life. It's hard to explain this to others and feel normal... to build relationships and find anyone who would understand and accept me.
Is there a way to reactivate your pre-frontal cortex? I have been psychologically traumatised because I was gaslighted and I think staying in my current call centre job is not healthy for me because I feel disconnected from my former self. I have trouble confidence issues. How do I reconnect with myself with my emotions?
Yes, activating your soothing system will be most helpful. Please view this video: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-HX2N9Z6KKI8.htmlsi=idXDgw3zi8IMJ9uV. Best wishers, Teresa.
So sad...I used to watch Coco because he looks like my cat & I can't keep him with me. At least you did all you could for him & made his life enjoyable & comfortable & he won't be suffering no more ❤
Hello doctor, i have a question. Something happend to me as a child in classroom in front of students im gonna make the story short i went into dark place floating inside my head and i saw a big red face and he talked to me and took control after. It happened only that time i dont suffer from anything but i still feel him inside my head influencing me but it not a conversation
I haven't experienced any trauma, trauma is a strong word. Yet, I experience dissociation practically every day it's almost like my default state. But no trauma, just stress from experiencing sensory overload from the constant noise, stong smells, and ugly artificial lights. Being bombarded with advertisements and instructions like we can't think for ourselves.
Hello, I appreciate very much your videos. Could you recomend me a link to some articles in the UK about trauma and sexual abuse treated with CFT ? I am a chilean psychologist formed in CFT and ACT therapies. I am working with several clients who suffered from this in their childhood. Thank you!
I have Amerihealth insurance. Stupid question but do you accept that? Id like to become a client if possible. You seem to have a firm grasp on this discipline. Great videos
When i was a kid being physically abused i would hard disassociate. Like it was happening there, but my conscience is here. In my adult life i disassociate when theres mad messes around me, the trama excepts a metal bar smacked against my person, and my conscience mind floats off to elsewhere. Eventually i clean up but expect something to happen while im unaware.
