What Is Dissociation & How Do We Deal With It?

I'm Kati Morton, a licensed therapist making Mental Health videos!
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[@rayijamona497]

For me it feels like my mind is asleep and everything i do is on auto-pilot.

[@thatperformer3879]

Rayi Jamona Same, it’s getting through but I’m not fully in control

[@rayijamona497]

Yeah. Like you can do everything normal. But like it feels like a kind of vr

[@DarknessBrothersPT]

Just by reading it I felt depersonalization

[@totowashere]

Omg yes I have the same thing. Feels like zoning out completely and watching from a distance. It always gives me a nice head ache as well.

[@Matti_Mu]

Zoned out vr Squad leeeet's…. watch :d

[@3s0m]

I feel numb. Like a robot. Its hard to do anything. Kinda coldhearted. Its weird cause im such an emotional person.

[@sealslayer]

Kenia I’m the same, I feel like my love is locked away

[@cstevens8788]

I get it. Sometimes I think being a nice person is a curse.

[@johnhalim7462]

SAME

[@tinastanley4444]

Same

[@MjMori4444]

Same

[@heyhey-jayjay2189]

It’s really nice and calming when you say “mkay?” Like you’re checking in on us and making sure we didn’t zone out. It’s really pleasant

[@annoyingposer]

HeyHey-JayJay when she said “m’kay” my heart SOARED

[@CGDubz87]

Also "does that make sense?" Really helps too

[@cstevens8788]

@@CGDubz87 I like that. I'll ask at the moment "Does this make sense?" If not, I think I could say that to someone. It would have worked wonderfully with my last trauma. Make them answer! Very helpful. Thank you!

[@hyperactive609]

almost like a validation or as if she is talking directly to us

[@syv0nne]

while watching the video i feel anxious and it’s like as soon as she says “mkay” i feel like the anxiety lifts a little

[@momokolove]

"talk about all the details of your trauma" well you see i barely remember them.

[@abbyrivers9971]

Details are not wijst. I have had talk therapy for my trauma s as I had DID ( heales after years of therapy). For traumatherapy I never had to go into all the details with the (talk therapy) we used what was needed to be able to go through the trauma on my pace of pace of my smallest alter could go, and IT tool more years but IT was what I needed. Don t think you need every detail of a trauma of more trauma's to be able to work through Them. Keep on holding on.❤️

[@momokolove]

@@abbyrivers9971 thank you but i literally don't remember them i think i just know it's probably from my parents having yelled at each other and doors slamming and stuff and i've had other uncomfortable moments in life but those are very vague and fuzzy

[@kingslayerkat]

Exactly my case. My sister had to bring some stuff up that happened in my past. I didn’t remember them at all until she brought them up, then the memories just came back. I’ve been putting off talking to a therapists because I can’t even get my story straight because I can’t remember it. All I know is that my dad has NPD and he’s done shitty, manipulative things in my past that I can’t remember.

[@sommerbeasley759]

That moment when you check out to even discuss the trauma and then you are not sure when the traumatic talk starts until someone says, "omg!". And your just sitting there like, what?

[@chloe-qr9zp]

Same, I don't remember remember that time

[@sanguinesoulful]

The brain is really clever when you think about it. It knows when some horrible $h1+ is about to go down and just NOPES right TF out.

[@TraumaTalk]

sanguinesoulful riiiight? Seriously though, it’s kind of incredible if you think about it. That’s what my brain did in the worst of my trauma. I used to hate it but am realizing lately it’s actually really amazing and super protective and incredible that our brains can protect us like that.

[@babyblue7731]

Exactly. It’s a terrifying feeling, but if you look at it, it’s actually quite interesting and to an extant beautiful. It’s crazy how strong our minds truly are.

[@LiSa-fc5sp]

but its soul tho not just brain. souls are smart, dissociation is soul protection.

[@cstevens8788]

But then I'm standing there with my jaw on the floor. I'm new with this so I will have hope.

[@lifeisagameofknowingyourro6327]

Yeah that's crazy

[@goddesspluto2627]

sometimes it really trips me out how much I feel like I'm dissociating. Like I'm so far-gone that when I'm around people I feel like I'm some sort of ghost presence, then it gets hard to really fully engage. When I'm not feeling this way I'm really fun, talkative, expressive, but lately after all of this social distancing I really think I'm disconnected from this planet, lol.

[@gigigerst3225]

You’re not alone. Give yourself grace to adjust when you are with people. You got this lovie. Don’t give up.

[@candaceion9622]

Me as well. I completely lose my voice. I am severely isolated, even more now than normal and finding that I am liking it.

[@Iiivyyh]

Same

[@liammoore2357]

Honestly I feel the whole isolation period has messed with us subconsciously to at least some degree

[@Iiivyyh]

@@liammoore2357 same

[@hyeidhjejejd4200]

Who is disassociated while watching this Edit: I am, it’s me

[@barbaraczerwonka8297]

more like depersonalization for me right now

[@barbaraczerwonka8297]

@kiddo it's like talking or listening about it triggers it

[@bakawafu4411]

Barbara Czerwonka isn’t that the same thing?

[@barbaraczerwonka8297]

@@bakawafu4411 not exactly. it is a particular type of dissociation

[@jellybearq]

Ha!

[@ab-fm6vq]

sometimes u dont even realize u been dissociating n it’s been like all day

[@watergleam]

Dissociated for a couple of weeks, just came back???

[@lonelytraveler541]

Sometimes it might go on for years

[@user-jr6fu8kd2f]

this hits home.

[@sarah.sns.sanmiguel9939]

I woke up today doing 85 on the interstate 🥲✌️

[@frederiquebertin119]

dissociation from the matrix should not be named as a pathology

[@keepsmilingboy]

I spent months being in a dissociative state. I can't remember so much of my freshman year

[@johnmcmillan6847]

How did you get out of it? I am second year of college, but i cant keep track of whats going on anymore, i dont even know when are my exams and what should i learn.

[@aprillynn6893]

KarBearArt I was about to ask if it's possible to dissociate for long periods of time..

[@keepsmilingboy]

John Mcmillan idk man... eventually the depression lifted and i got the energy to face what i didnt want to think about and forced my way back into reality

[@davidchopin6583]

This is my first semester in college. I go to school about two hours from home and live in a house off campus (I'm isolated from other students for much of the day). Half way through the semester I had multiple panic attacks daily for four days in a row. Since then (nearly a month) I've been in almost a constant depersonalized state. Everything for the second half of the semester is pretty much one big blur. I feel more comfortable when I am at home and will be transferring to a school here next semester. I've heard that when the anxiety goes away the feeling goes away so I'm hopeful that over the winter break I begin to feel like my normal self. Good luck to you guys!

[@rayac578]

KarBearArt i don't remember anything of my 7th and 6th year ://

[@carolynjanes4005]

I feel as though everything around me isn't real. I feel spaced out. I feel as though my anxiety completely takes over my intelligence. I cannot focus or function properly when these feelings come on me. My mind just goes blank.Not sure if this is dissociaton??

[@sergeysimeonov2930]

Same

[@sascharose3872]

exactly how i feel and yes it is.

[@Dion_Mustard]

spot on. i can understand this carolyn. i get all these symptoms and more. my night time panic attacks are worse.i wake up and i feel terribly confused.i cannot think straight.i look around my room and the place seems unfamiliar. all my thoughts become hazy and jumbled.almost like i have some sort of dementia which i know i don't because i am 36.and the symptoms eventually disappear. other times i feel separate from my body or like i am in a dream state or on some sort of drug. very frightening indeed. the only thing that stops it is by reassuring yourself it will go away. try focus on one thing. breathing techniques work too.

[@wishtheyunderstoodme]

Same here, I struggle to believe that the scenarios around me are actually happening and arnt just a day dream kind of thing. I also seem to find lies everywhere I look, as if the world has no truth to it.

[@jenelines8471]

Carolyn Janes it's actually called derealization / depersonalisation

[@sparklegirlsies]

I went from mentally healthy, to crying daily, to lack of emotion over the past few years. its like I see my past selves as completely separated people

[@shadrackboadigyamfi1445]

I am feeling the same is there any help

[@BeautifulHearts101]

i feel the exact same way.

[@mrazik131]

that happened to me when I stoped eating animal products, just hard to deal with anything...

[@lyramarks622]

Especially with this Covid lockdown shit it’s gotten worse

[@Iiivyyh]

Same :/

[@hahaha7886]

I just feel empty and dull. Like in a specific moment I can feel and emotion, but as soon as I’m out of that moment the emotion goes away and I feel a deep pain and overall numbness. Like most of my life feels on auto pilot and I loose focus constantly. I feel very detached from everything too. I love people in my life, but I feel like I could just move on. Like if I died it would be ok. I feel like I’m in a constant trance and nothing matters.

[@emmanem13.7]

same

[@SPLIFBEATZ]

you always have to mention that emotional abuse like neglect or abondonment are as important as physical abuse and can also cause dissociation.

[@romycullen17]

^yup

[@randomtrucks]

Splif Beatz thank you for mentioning that. I often feel like my experiences and my struggles aren't valid because neglect isn't seen as a serious thing compared to sexual or physical abuse. And I bet a lot of people feel the same way.

[@SPLIFBEATZ]

also called: abuse by omission. if you understand that a little troddler needs nourishment, care and bonding.If there is too much stress, like alkohol just beeing to busy, or emotional unavailable. they grown up child has this 'nobody Sees me, or my needs aren't important syndrom' which then could End up in relationships which mirror this dynamic. so get out the observation lamp and try to figure out what went wrong. maybe family system therapy? Kati what is the right approach?

[@elisedalton9]

Yup!!

[@jessicalee163]

I suffered emotional abuse and trauma as a child with one episode of physical abuse. The physical abuse incident doesn't bother me as much as the years of emotional abuse. I suffer from dissociation today.

[@Sunnybias]

Stress is the biggest trigger for my dissociation - whenever I get stressed, I start to "zoom out": my sight gets blurred, I can't talk or think, I feel like my body is shaking, I can't do anything. I just become a zombie on the edge of a breakdown... and it can last many many days until the stress factors gets less. This affects my exams atm, I just stay in a stress bubble and can't do what I'm supposed to... I hate it!! And yes I suffer from PTSD too which most with dissociation does. It sucks.

[@tommychappell6359]

I know exactly how you feel. I feel like I am on automation mode and that like I'm still sleeping or dreaming when somehow I still have my eyes open. my eyes are watery and I generally feel tired on a daily basis, not really fully alert. I also feel somehow that I am 40 years old when I'm 20. but maybe that's because of the trauma I had, things slow down.

[@tommychappell6359]

I also constantly worry, constantly trying to find s solution to a problem to put my mind a piece.

[@tommychappell6359]

no i dont beleive it... you probably just have some deeply rooted pain.... and part of you is supressing that memory... i think positivity definately help...

[@tommychappell6359]

Janet Ward if you think you have a problem you should definately seek a doctor

[@romanempressolivia1815]

Sunny.bias I have similar problems. what do you do for it?

[@victoriadenby3932]

I dissociate sometimes when I drive and I “wake up” at some point near home and have no idea how I got there without dying.

[@sealslayer]

I don’t think that’s the same sort of thing. I think driving can have a hypnotic effect on the brain that puts you into autopilot

[@cstevens8788]

I have done that also. Now I make certain I am totally focused on my driving. Have lost count how many times I miss my exit or something stupid. That is because I am concentrating on everyone around me. We really have to be careful or not drive!

[@HannahRiva]

This happens to me whenever I see an ambulance or police car going by with their lights on or if the weather is really bad and panic sets in. Its like an internal auto pilot kicking on when my anxiety gets too bad.

[@hollycortez4943]

That is called “highway hypnosis,” and while I think there is a similarity, it isn’t quite the same.

[@c22tch]

truck driver here, its called inattentive blindness

[@Leila_Abner]

For me my mind just goes blank and I just start staring into space...I don't even realize I'm doing it, I've even done it during work and my coworkers had to snap me out of it...

[@miafinch9973]

sorry but that is just spacing out....., i have ADHD and i'm doing that constantly. dissociating however is Completely different, you feel like you are watching yourself from above, like your conscious has left your body, you know what is happening but everything feels weirder, these periods of dissociation can last from an hour to up to months on end

[@davidcobra1735]

I have to agree with Mia. You just space out a lot. Heck, I've been spacing out for even several hours almost every day for the past couple of weeks but most days I had no other symptoms of anything. It's annoying when it happens but at least it shouldn't lead to anything too bad. Try to see the bright side of it.

[@maryc4463]

@@miafinch9973 dissociation isn't always about seeing yourself from above or like your out of your body. It definitely can be the feeling of spacing out. Personally I've never felt like I am out of my body or like I'm watching a movie and I am diagnosed OSDD (Other Specified Dissociative Disorder). For me, most commonly when I dissociate it's like I'm sitting in the back seat of a car and there's a divider between the driver and myself so they can't hear me as much as I shout and try to get their attention. I can kind of see what's going on but it's foggy and I can't control what's going on. Other times I completely black out and have no idea what had happened while I've been away, however it's evident that I've been doing things or I'm in a totally different place to where I was. That doesn't happen very often though when it does it totally freaks me out. Dissociation is measured on a sliding scale from mild zoning out all the way up to DID and pretty much everyone has dissociated at least once or twice in their lives even if it is only mild.

[@irondeficiency515]

@@maryc4463 Umm no your info is wrong cause thst is what that is. Pretty much viewing yourself as if your out of body....

[@maryc4463]

@@irondeficiency515 umm no it's not! I don't see myself in the driver seat...it's someone else!!!

[@burntpieceoftoast4148]

Chronic disassociator here. Repeat trauma victim too. Sometimes I feel like I live in a state of disassociation. I know I'm not alone. Y'all stay strong out there. I'm trying too.

[@Oliver-bn7jt]

im scared of myself like my thoughts cause i overthought so much that my brain just noped out of it and now its causing serious issues in real life for me

[@cameronvadnais4388]

Good luck. Hope you get the support you need.

[@OurLargeFamilyLife]

burntpiece oftoast i feel foggy /not really here all the time.

[@carolynjanes4005]

I honestly believe all this stuff is a direct result of trauma/ complex PTSD

[@harmonyhope1709]

Same, most of the time I'm checked out of life... I can't recall entire days, even special events that I should be able to remember. I don't recognise myself or know who I am. Nothing seems to help. Grounding techniques don't bring me out of dissociation. It only helps with anxiety.

[@CelesticRose]

I have this feeling of dissociation almost 24/7 and it's really unnerving. I feel unreal. I've had it for 3-4 years now and I'm only 16, it makes me feel like i'm wasting my life away >.

[@thenomad014]

+Celestic Rose It is probably depersonalization disorder and people recover from it.

[@thenomad014]

Your comments do not show in the actual page, I only see them in the bell thingy top right of the screen. I did not even see your first answer when I was commenting. I wasn't trying to dismiss anything, I am suffering from these damned unreality feelings as well 24/7 and they are absolute hell, so no underestimating. Just tried to give a name and meant that it is curable as reported but I don't know how so I don't write any method. The drugs didn't work on me nor therapy but it does work on some so that is a good option.

[@thenomad014]

Yeah, you are right it is best to look for professional diagnosis. I would advise to look for more than one psychiatrists though because they can make different diagnosis when told the same symptoms. Or find a trusted one. Thanks. Dissociations suck big time, and I hope you will treat yours and stay well. I wish you the best too.

[@209KittyCat]

+Celestic Rose Same. I'm 16 as well and I must got this very young like a baby from some experience I don't know.

[@209KittyCat]

Thanks. Wow.

[@gremli7778]

I've had bad dissociation for years but I haven't had any heavy traumas in my life. Idk, I feel like I got dissociation simply because my brain got too overwhelmed with school and toxic people and my parents being not the greatest, but they're not abusive, and the amount of expectations and to-dos on my back. So from there it makes me feel invalidated. If anyone is feeling the same way, you're not alone. Just do your best, just what you're capable of doing right now. Also! I have found no way to ground myself. I just can't find anything. Does anyone have any suggestions?

[@carolinelorenzen4102]

LemonLi there are no perfect grounding techniques and sometimes they work for a while and then don’t work later. And it depends on how bad the dissociation is. Maybe try Rubik’s cubes, slime, putty. Or some people have subtle things like reapply your lipstick and face powder. Or dance to your favorite songs. Listening to music can totally help!

[@gremli7778]

@@carolinelorenzen4102 thank you so much! I will definitely try those. I think slime had helped me before 🤔

[@hyeidhjejejd4200]

This is me besides my parents

[@rasyarawal06]

I feel better when I hear that its not just me who’s experiencing this without any specific trauma. Nothing really bad ever happened to me and I just have it out of nowhere almost. Which makes me feel like an outcast somewhat because usually people with dissociative disorders develop them because of some very specific traumatic experiences in the past.

[@kurtklingbeil6900]

@@rasyarawal06 I can relate... I've always felt a bit out of the loop, like I didn't really belong I have very few friends, feel emotionally incompetent, like I've never really bonded with anyone, only surface level interactions. I think I have floated through life on some combination of dissociation and narcissism - with a twist... I don't feel like I go away somewhere - I seem to know where I am in space-time even during medicine journeys. I practice allowing sadness to arise without pushing it away - maintaining awareness of my breathing, sensation of my feet on the ground... No insights ever emerge, no resolution, no diminishment, no light in the tunnel - not even a train ;-) I don't remember large chunks of my childhood, When I was divorced whole chunks of my family life just disappeared. I've been working for 12 years to fix myself, to connect with my "inner self" but it seems there is no one home in here. I recently watched a YT vids by Thomas Huebl about relationships. He described the process of energetic connection of self to self and self to other. I just thought "yep, a clear description of what I am not" I remain more or less functional without a lot of self destructive habits - but I notice the regressive shift from ruminating about my failures occasionally, at night or when tired, to ever present, right from waking. Fortunately my dissociation allows me to do 3D logistical stuff rather than become paralyzed. Most therapies / techniques seem to require remembering past traumas or asking the emotions about the underlying meaning and then talking tapping beeping reframing etc. I just feel multiply broken I wasn't abused/overtly traumatized I break the technologies which help others WTF

[@totakikay]

there’s so much in my mind. when i feel disassociated- i don’t feel like me (basically). autopilot. deadpan feelings. loss of self awareness. loss of self identity. weird daydream feelings like world/reality is fake... i get panicked questioning my existence. to physically snap out- i take off my glasses, stare at a nearby bright color object, tap my hands, and breathe exercise and think positive.

[@BeautifulHearts101]

Literally exactly how I see things too when I dissociate. like everything around me is fake, and people i am really close to are strangers.

[@tealsalm0n]

my childhood feels so weird, its all smeared together and i don't know what has actually happened and what has been a dream or something i just made up, sometimes i just feel so... weird and just uncomfortable with everything and anytime i think about it too hard it starts happening? like when i watched this video i started feeling it again, is this dissociation? i don't know

[@valhalla1240]

that's everybody and their childhood. You were a child after all, you couldn't comprehend everything and your tiny brain was confused. Nobody remembers their childhood the way they remember for example their twenties.

[@xF3ARL3SSx43VR]

god this is painfully relatable

[@SweetCheeksCapone]

I have also described my childhood like that and people don't understand :(

[@CommissarVito]

I have this same feeling but I just found out what this word meant by a friend in a game play was asking me I said idk what does it feel like, I’ve felt like this my whole life almost it comes and goes in phases but lately it’s been years I’ve been like this it’s scary asf and I think it started by child abuse and bullying by family my whole life even 26 years later... I’m broken , and they broke me. I will never be the same... 5+ years sober and I don’t feel like it even did anything I haw. A lot of health issues from typ1 diab since 13 month old. I wish I knew what it was to feel normal.... Bf I don’t remember my gastroparesis and pelvic floor is gettin so bad I’ve had several attempts off a bridge and even hanging multiple times but each time a cop eventually intervened somehow somehow someone calls or my girlfriend who has been with me over a year now and she has saved me broke my car window almost to get me stop hanging myself in my own car at 3 am when I woke up freaking the fuck out in a major panic attack freaking out thinking it was. Dream still which I’ve also died in so many times esp when I got sober, but now I can’t decipher reality from my dreams.... some dreams so real I don’t know what’s real or like a glitch in th matrix as you say

[@oiseau3361]

I feel the same! Thank you for this comment 💖

[@hannarodriguez1084]

I've never had out of body experience, but I tend to get numb and zone out when I'm overly stimulated, especially in large crowds with loud sounds and I feel super anxious.

[@SincerestSawa]

Hanna R Skywalker interesting its described that, out of body , i wonder if it is a legit out of body experience or a kind of daydream

[@Impericallyfrozen]

more of a daydream except there isnt a screensaver and you arent thinking of much you just see yourself doing stuff but you arent actively thinking about what you are doing

[@valhalla1240]

That's everybody.

[@ishyreddi13]

Same

[@archaicamusement3871]

@@Impericallyfrozen it's like there are 2 of you: one behind, just watching, and the other one, like a mascarade, acting and interacting with reality in a polite way.

[@melinaa0703]

When I first had an dissociation episode I couldn't for any money describe what I felt like, it was incredibly scary. I then found a comment that really made sense to me and it is the way I am sort of describing my feelings now. It went something like: It feels like my eyes are still perceiving all the visual information but my mind cannot puzzle the pieces together. I am seeing but I am not seeing. I don't understand anymore what I am seeing.

[@pabletoday9782]

I have struggled with dissociation since i was 3. When this happens it almost feels like nothing is real. I am ina simulation. My entire world gets destroyed. Its hell. I stop recognizing faces, I can see my mom and dad and feel no comfort in them. But when it goes away its the best, its like waking up from a nightmare.

[@user-mq9lx9im3x]

i start to feel like a npc but i have psychosis so it happens alot it’s a weird place to be but i get use to it

[@rosie4258]

@@user-mq9lx9im3x did it get better? Im in the same situation and its the scariest thing ever. Does the feeling fade?

[@SodaSpeakNow]

Does anyone else disassociate when you are in the “blue zone” rather just the “red zone”? (So when you are feeling under stimulated/sad rather that stressed/angry)

[@amandacosta5373]

Holly Elliott yes that’s when I dissociate

[@ladybug947]

Yes

[@cameronvadnais4388]

Yeah

[@aryabaviskar2137]

I do it too. In fact, it’s more common for me to be sad than stressed or angry.

[@katherinesully3618]

Both for me

[@tokyo_girl1618]

I feel like every day Is an out of body experience. Like I never feel “here” it feels like I’m not actually living life. And I forget a lot of things. Like I have no memories of my childhood. I want to stop it because I actually wanna feel here. I plan to do a lot of great things In my life. But I also feel like there is no point because i’ll forget that I did it or I’ll feel like I’m not actually doing it. Like if I do something really exciting or go to a really loud and exciting place I’ll forget most of what happened there and it’s really frustrating.

[@defendthewild3763]

What has helped me is simply snapping a rubber band against my wrist. It brings you into the current moment. It literally 'snaps you back in reality.'

[@shaan2514]

Stacey Wanat Not that simple

[@thatsEforEveryone]

@@shaan2514 when it's not severe then it probably can be that simple

[@Katsumicchi]

@@Tr-qp3rh oop there goes rabbit, he choked, hes so mad but he wont give up that easy

[@youtubewatcher830]

@@shaan2514 Deadass lol, I went on a scary rollercoaster to try and wake myself up but it didnt do shit :,)

[@feardotcm4651]

I disassociate from having PTSD. I feel like I'm not really there. Feels like I'm in a dream.

[@lucysantana8350]

fear dotcm ME TOO and I’m scared does it happen everyday every second like if u don’t know how to explain it like

[@lucysantana8350]

Sapphyre Loreto can u get medication for it or is it sonething we have to battle through

[@davidcobra1735]

@@sapphyreloreto7053 Panic attacks happen because of a variety of disorders and they can be triggered by many different things. Me and a friend of mine both used to suffer from panic attacks when we were younger. In my case it was a certain kind of social anxiety, a phobia of crowds, that started them. My friend just had random ones for a while, seemingly for no reason. Dissociation doesn't cause any panic attacks. If anything it should have the opposite effect because it's a defense mechanism. It should actually take you away from whatever is causing you distress. If you're getting both at the same time they're actually happening in reverse order. The panic attack happens quickly and probably lasts no more than 30 minutes. Dissociation starts around the same time because of the stress and probably lasts for hours, maybe even days or weeks afterwards. They are separate phenomenons that happen because of vaguely the same reason(s).

[@OurLargeFamilyLife]

fear dotcm I feel like this all the time

[@cr4ck3r58]

FaceAche a lil insensitive, don’t you think?

[@jenniferweaver5370]

Something that has helped me when I dissociate is to sit on the floor and run my hands back and forth over the carpet and focus on how it feels. In conjunction with this sometimes I repeat out loud my name, age, where I am now, and that I am far away from that which has hurt me in the past and that I am safe now. I also found that sometimes it helps to wrap a blanket around yourself while doing this.

[@spacebowiestardust3663]

Jennifer Weaver sometimes it also helps to put your hands under warm running water. Seriously, It Really helps

[@elenagibbons4719]

Grounding exercises!

[@kessagh]

OH MY GOSH! i’ve actually been doing almost the exact same thing when i was a kid! i didn’t say my name, age, etc though,, i was thinking about school subjects though 😅

[@enotj]

Jennifer Weaver omg i didnt even know i did this. ive been doing this my whole life. its all clming back to me. when i do it it feels like im out of my body WTF

[@jenjohnson2705]

Omg!! Thank You So Much I needed this so bad :)

[@helenalena6193]

Sometimes dissociation for me Is like "Oh my god I can't control myself I'm not in my body, somebody else is taking over and they'll tell my secrets or say something stupid

[@andreago4379]

Helena Lena yesssss i feel the same way. I get really paranoid too. I feel like I’m sitting in a room in my brain watching my body in autopilot

[@lyramarks622]

Yup

[@tahlia_opatkiv]

I feel the exact same!

[@nutsafiso7609]

sammeee!! thats how i feel i think i might have OSDD bc i feel like different people at different times

[@annavillalpando4872]

I talk to myself (in my head) tell myself it’s ok. I’m here. I’m fine. Nothing is going on. I’m safe. That’s what I do when I disassociate. I disassociate when I am feeling extremely overwhelmed in the moment. Not fun.

[@lilHDMI]

3:01 you saying "ok" made everything so reassuring

[@erinokay9991]

I feel like you're staring into my soul lol. When you ask "okay?" "does that make sense?" I can tell you are lovely to work with.

[@disability3343]

I don't even feel human anymore

[@thugger2176]

I know that feeling all to well from abusing drugs with a mental disorder dissociation is almost a normal part of my daily life now

[@angelagalvan3201]

Oh my god..... this is what ive been trying to express lately ..😥

[@jillnewton9654]

I am having the same problem.

[@littlemanbigtoe7229]

I feel like a monster sometimes with these horrible memories in my head

[@lindseywest9203]

Same when that happens to me. I literally asked my bf if i was awake all the time.

[@cielo8551]

Honestly when i disassociate my neck gets stiff, my shoulders are tense, my jaw is sore, my eyes feel dry. Maybe its because when im triggered by something that gives me a reason to "clock out" i kinda forget to blink, and etc.

[@alex_the.mallett]

Sky T. I find my shoulders and legs tensing up a lot as well, I’ll sit there for like five minutes before I realize I’m doing it

[@rosemadder5547]

O do that too and it triggers my trichotillomania. I pull my eyelashes out and dont even realise it :-(

[@AmandaMG6]

Yes. It hurts so much. Only a nap resets me.

[@snowqueen24]

What do you mean by that?

[@psychologicalsuccess3476]

Childhood neglect and triggered by a relationship falling apart I’ve just had moments of complete dissociation from reality and it’s scary but feels good for some reason.

[@aloalo3727]

I understand that completely. Like a phew! Peaceful silence.

[@TheKayloooo]

I know I dissociate, but I don't think I've ever been through any major trauma? Which makes me feel like I'm making it up and hesitant to reach out for help, even though I KNOW I dissociate. I've tried searching for repressed memories but I also want to be careful not to create false memories... Is it possible to be dissociative without having gone through trauma? In addition, when I dissociate I go through the different details of my day and how I (or other things in the room) got to where I am at the time.

[@em01455]

Kimmy Wideman I feel the same I had a great upbringing and I'm horribly dissociated.

[@sleepyzebra11]

Kimmy Wideman my very unscientific answer is that trauma is really different person to person, and while you mightve been safe most of your life, you might have experienced trauma from something that would be innocuous to another person

[@Voice7777777]

same, I think it can also be a side affect of anxiety disorders

[@Chaoticgoodbard]

I heard a psychologist recently who mentioned that trauma doesn't have to be one singular event, but could also manifest as a bunch of small traumas that add up over time. For example, if you were spanked a bit too hard every couple of months, those individual moments might seem inconsequential, but they add up over time and can lead to dissociation.

[@SincerestSawa]

this is a very normal feeling and way of protecting yourself because its scary and difficult to trust such fragmented memory, sometimes it can just be a sensation, or feeling. it can be really frustrating too feeling things with no memory, having images not recognizing its memory, or the emotions associated.

[@malenamariephillips6574]

For me, I feel numb, don't really have an expressive face, and it feels like I'm dreaming and can't wake up. This happened before I left my therapy session, so he had me hold ice and tell him what I saw around the room, and describe things I saw as fast as I could. That worked to get me out of feeling that way.

[@brianmada9834]

For 12 years now and still continuing. Learned to embrace it but Lord knows I would really appreciate if it gets off me at least an hour.

[@kendrafrazier6108]

When I dis I just stare at thr same spot for a good 10 seconds or longer while my thoughts race so quick I have to snap back into reality and remember to keep going

[@Alistocrat]

I disassociate every now and then and have done since I was relatively young. It never makes me forget anything or plays with my memory, but it just makes me feel like I'm living in a dream or a film. Everything feels fake and unreal. Like a vail has been placed in front of my eyes. It makes me feel dizzy and in my own head. Sometimes events even feel scripted or like they've happened before. It feels like its hard for me to talk, think or even see. Even though I know I'm doing all those things perfectly on the outside, Internally it's like i've been completely paralysed, which is bizarre because I can hold full conversations and see things in full detail even though it FEELS like I shouldn't be able to, if that makes sense. Disassociation used to be a huge source of anxiety for me, and would trigger a panic attack pretty much every time I disassociated because it felt like I was loosing my mind. But now I'm completely used to it lol. Since its happened to me so many times, I know that every time it happens, I'll be fine. So now I'm just like "whoa ok I'm disassociating lol" and get on with my day and It eventually just fades away. Hopes this maybe helps!

[@anon2339]

This is exactly how it works for me. It’s just like I’m not quite there and I don’t know how to control my body properly, almost like I’m just puppeting it around. Sometimes it lasts for 10 minutes, but it’s also stuck around for hours before. Really difficult since it can happen sometimes when I’m playing volleyball, and that’s not a good time at all to not feel in control of your body

[@kaneturner7089]

This is exactly the type of dissociation I experience. I have it 100% of the time, but I don't black out, I just feel like I'm in a dream. I do tend to feel as though I can't keep track of what happened when at any given time though. Thanks for sharing this, it helped me feel as though I'm not alone.

[@bgbg418]

it's absolutely destroyed my life from top to bottom. it's an unbelievably difficult thing to actually live with. it happens alot after flashbacks which occur multiple times a day. I can't tell who I am anymore and I have no connection to the life I live and haven't for decades. it's a shame survivors of abuse are left with such deep scars, it seems like another victory for the abuser to me.

[@zain4019]

MammalsShmammals please try seeing an EMDR therapist and EFT (Brad Yates has a good channel that you can do on your own). Both have helped me so so much.

[@jaspreetdhaliwal4953]

MammalsShmammals hey did you ever think about going to therapy or medications? Are you feeling better now?

[@luctuosaluctuosa5360]

The same here, the shame survivor. I feel myself being like a hologram, not compelety a person. Hold on there.🌷

[@chantalreneehayles7976]

this is literally how i feel right now and have been feeling for a . year or so

[@lollypop9430]

I’ve never been abused or maybe I have idk I want to see a therapist so bad

[@pauljerusalem6572]

What helps me to get out of a dissociative/ depersonalized state is to take a walk. It gets you into a different state of mind most of the time. This usually only helps when I go to a place in nature, somewhere where I have something to appreciate, like the beuty of animals or plants, the harmony in flowing water or a wide view from the top of a hill.

[@tigermoon7867]

When i was younger i didnt understand what was going on, so i would wrap up in a blanket, and that would help a lot. It started when i was 16, and im 30 now. It comes and goes. I work out a lot and that has helped loads!

[@flaco.antonio]

Same here Took me 6 years too know that I had this, as kid I thought it was nothing till got very bad in my freshman year of high school, I’m 18 still dealing with it but gotten better, once while I feel like that but goes away when I touch something or smell

[@oceanman3822]

when you realize you werent paying attention

[@nowmowcow5191]

Slim Shady oh my god yes 😭 my attention span is dead

[@thatsEforEveryone]

That's me, like a lot of things I zone out in lmao, it's been happening more and more as time goes on lmao

[@alondraacosta-mora6504]

ikr

[@techmantra4521]

This is something new for me. I'll get into a mental state where I feel like I'm observing from the outside. Like it's not me controlling myself. It's so strange.

[@himynameisbia]

You talk about discussing trauma in detail... but what if you don't remember it? I hate feeling like I don't know what happened to me that has made me this way. It really tears me up inside. I guess there comes a point where you just have to get over it, but God I really can't stand not knowing.

[@bethe2450]

BeautifullyBia it's not uncommon to not fully remember trauma :) I had trauma counselling and some of my memories from when I was 15/16 started to come back a little bit. I think if you process your memories sometimes they appear more clear? There's a lot I still don't remember from that period of my life but I remember more than before I had counselling. I hope that helps :)

[@mandielou]

Find a therapist that can do light hypnotism. I remember I was molested by my grandpa whom also raped my mom from the age of 3 to 20 and my mother would leave me there with my grandma and grandpa... I remember it now in such vivid details. I used to have weird flashbacks of certain things but didn't know what to make of it. after the hypnotism the Vivid flashbacks started and told me everything....good luck sweetheart..I know just how you feel. I'm still in the same boat about certain periods of time during my life.

[@HLB313]

You don’t have to just get over it, you really need to have support in working through it through therapy

[@ChatMort69420]

I don’t remember much of mine either. My home life was extremely stressful for years on end, and that long-term exposure to high stress can, in itself, traumatize someone. But I still feel like something happened - something really terrible - that I can’t remember. My mom will occasionally mention something that happened that scared us both and I will suddenly know that it’s true and did indeed happen, but I still don’t have any memory of it. It’s so strange and frightening to just not know what happened to you. I’m just saying all this to remind you that you’re not alone. Quite a few of us are also lost and searching for answers as to what event(s) actually traumatized us.

[@kelsieslagle9177]

There's two big things that I know happened but I can't remember them. Right there with you, friend. I don't want to remember... too scary

[@johnygjooon6967]

What really helped me personally was to try to connect back with my emotions. I try to answer questions like: what emotions do I feel right now, what am I trying to escape, tried to track them back till when I started feeling this way, figuring out what was the trigger (which was really difficult for the first time, it felt like completely of a sudden). The thing is for me personally the most difficult part is to notice and valuate negative emotions. So, like, a few questions to myself: what am I feeling in my body, what am I thinking right now (because often it is felt like an empty screen), when did it start? Sometimes lostening to music that I associate with the emotion was very helpful, because helping me to connect my own emotions and strenthen them.

[@stolenrelic]

Smelling my dog helps me ground myself. I stick my face in his head or his neck and breathe in and let my mind go blank except for the feel and smell of his fur. I feel safe, and loved, and protected. Everything else disappears for a moment, and sometimes I do it for ten seconds and sometimes I spend several minutes with my face in his fur. It’s however long I need, and then when I back out, I’m more grounded in the here and how again. He’s a service dog so he’s trained to disrupt my spiraling, but I’ve done this with my cat, too, and our pets-service dogs or not-can tell when you need their help, and they love you and want to help you.

[@RandyR]

Thank God I found a Counselor because I rarely feel like I belong or fit in; am dealing with five deaths and my body has been falling apart that has prevented me from going back to work. Am in the biggest fight of my life and it is a miracle that I am still alive and sober. Meditation has been helping from time to time, I try to stay busy and live in my own world so I can endure the real world.

[@SameShirtDifferentDay]

Fact is, I live in a fake world. this video terrified me quite a bit. brought me back here and I'm scared kati really it's not comfortable to be on earth, all alone, waiting to die. As always, love you all, unique beings. don't be too sad, or be too sad. it's all okay. I'm going to write now and think about my dream tree. goodnight angels

[@mynameischair]

A thing that I do is journaling. When I am not with my therapist I write down everything I feel during the week and kinda talk to the book as if it were a human. I discover a lot through it and it helps me keep sane as I really don't have anyone to talk to about this. So if you feel stuff bottling up then I highly suggest journaling.

[@jenniferkeeling1126]

I’m a registered clinical counsellor with a narrative orientation, and love how you explain dissociation in such detail and respect for those that do not have our education and experience. Good job.

[@johnhilbert7640]

damn never knew there was a psychology behind this. I've always felt this way and didn't know it was a disorder

[@nanibuchanan7443]

This is so comforting to find even 10 years after struggling with dissociation and not feeling in control. Hearing your words help to heal myself even now. Thank you so much for making these videos🙏🏼

[@maddiecraver]

I love the tone of this video. It feels like you are our friend. So many videos talk about psychological topics so obscurely and make us feel like weirdos or aliens or “subjects of study” or something. But this felt like such kind, encouraging, gentle advice from a friend and I appreciate that so much. I have been struggling so much with dissociation over the past 3-4 months and it has been hard to find people who really understand how scary, disorienting, difficult, and confusing it is. Thank you for this video!

[@monkeymcfly6065]

I haven't been able to go through the amount of therapy I need currently so I bought some CBT cards I bought on amazon. If anyone wants to know the what they are called, the name on the deck is just The CBT Deck. I also use cold water on my face, showers or handwashing for dissociation. It really helps! Also medical marijuana helps along with binaural beats and meditation for anxiety and panic. They are all really helpful when you are alone and need to come down or to stop a panic attack. I hope everyone is doing well and hope this helps someone.

[@KayteaCat217]

Running cold water on my hands or calling someone are my biggest reliefs. My therapist just taught me about the senses thing, I love it.

[@caramelcoffee5598]

nice

[@bridgetcaloroso3246]

I've been drawing and painting a lot.I think that helps me a lot.

[@akingbo1924]

i dont even know wer i am now

[@erichsieh6596]

I think I’ve been in a disassociated state since Grade 7 until my 3rd year at University. I couldn’t remember much about anything other than my early childhood. It feels like I just woke up and became conscious and really living life just a year ago...

[@etherraichu]

My panic disorder can cause dissociation. Normally in the form of me either thinking I'm not real, or that nothing else is real. Of course i know its incorrect, but still. always associated with panic attacks. Thankfully i found it to be one of the easier to resolve issues of a panic disorder. Once I fully accepted it couldnt hurt me, it got so much easier to handle. It still happens, but I know that the best response is to just not dwell on it. Acknowledge how I'm feeling, but then move on and get back to what I was doing. That resolves it very fast. But actually accepting that it was truly harmless took a while, a few months if i recall. Now I just have to figure out how to stop convincing myself I'm going to die, and I should have this panic disorder completely under control.

[@laurenchalker]

I feel the exact same, i don’t feel like I’m real or anything around me is real. I don’t feel like I’m in control of my body and that I’m not existing. Idk what to do about it it’s been going on for more than 2 months

[@zackgravity7284]

This happens to me too. I dont feel numb for months or whatever, i usually have panic attacks where i forget who i am

[@KellyWhispersASMR]

Does dissociation means that you always forgot what you did? Lot of people associate it with being away and you didn't know what you've done. I have this but I still know what I do, only I feel really detached and away, numb, tired, gone from the world...

[@alpacagangaffiliated]

ReviewCam yes imagine that but all the time. Kinda like everything is happening in front of you but none of it feels real. Been dealing with it for 6 years

[@valhalla1240]

Kelly Whispers ASMR Everyone has that to some extent. That's normal. If you don't remember a traumatic event that caused it, like ReviewCam does, and you can't pinpoint to specific situations when you were dissociative which were dangerous or severely consequential (like you couldn't remember how a friend told you about their mom dying or in school you didn't even hear that your teacher asked you something and your grades are suffering...) then I don't think it's a problem. Most mental illnesses have a qualifier, which is: it has to be bad enough to interfer with your professional or private life, in a way that is really problematic. Other than that it's just our brains doing their job.

[@stephaniegray7615]

Is your mind blank because mine is

[@Bumbumpain]

@@stephaniegray7615 my mind is constantly blank i feel like i have no idea what i am doing from one point to another everything is just autopilot. I have very few memory of my past. It is extremely concerning for me but my counsellor says that it is selective listening/remembering. It feels like the message is i should not make a mountain out of a molehill.

[@stephaniegray7615]

Junpanda Ong I feel the same way I know I should change but nothing goes through my head I try to read nothing I just don’t know what happened my personality and everything and emotions are gone I really feel like everything is a effort and I just want to think and feel like others but that involves effort and I don’t think anything is fun at all I’m scared of this my therapist says exiercise change my diet and do mindfulness but I don’t see how that will help get me back

[@caramelsauce3560]

I love your videos because I’m always so anxious about these types of things and by watching your videos I feel more calm and feel better about my situation😊

[@mirandamerry5607]

you are so kind and reassuring, thank you for bringing this information to light it's very helpful for me.

[@michelelovesjesus3111]

I believe it can be retraumatizing to go back detail by detail of past abuse.

[@lalaithan]

+peace andlove It can, but it also reduces your stress response to it. It's a key part of PTSD therapy, which I have been through if you want to know more.

[@michelelovesjesus3111]

lalaithan​ yes, I am interested in knowing more if you can share about your experience

[@lalaithan]

The particular type of therapy I went through that was helpful was "trauma art narrative therapy". It's where you draw pictures (not too many and not too detailed) to help you stay grounded and keep your talking on track for your retelling, so you're not focusing on re-experiencing everything, you're making it like a journalistic explanation with clear milestones. I went through just plain talk exposure therapy as mentioned in the video and it's far more scary because I had a tendency to jump around and forget details I felt were important which just made me feel worse about it.

[@michelelovesjesus3111]

Interesting. I've done some art therapy so I can see how that can help in grounding. I used to think I needed to know every detail of every memory. But I don't think that is necessarily my goal anymore. My primary goal now is to be able to function better...understanding and listening to what my needs are and increasing regulation in my nervous system. I've been working with a somatic therapist lately which has been helpful. I've been in therapy on/off for 20 years and I've gotten to a place where there's not much more to talk about yet I'm still not where I want to be. I think somatic body work is the next right step for me.

[@tommychappell6359]

+lalaithan I know how you feel. I am a constant worryer and overthinker. I think its initially there as a self protection mechanism but I feel stressed a lot of the time. also I noticed I have had lowered memory for a time. I have memory just not a confident one. I feel when I try to remember what happen ed I forget, the more I chase it the further away it goes.

[@Rob-we2sr]

more psychiatrists/therapists should be as compassionate, understanding, helpful, guiding, and human as kati.

[@maryannharney7258]

Meditation and breathing exercises have helped me so much. I’m a lot more focused and calmer, I can manage times of chaos much better now. The thing that can trigger me is someone with a bloody injury. Last time I dissociated was when I witnessed someone having a grand mall seizure. She cracked her head really hard hitting the ground. I thought that she was dying, I couldn’t stop myself from screaming for ten minutes.

[@abbae3457]

I just want to say I love your videos. They’ve been so helpful in helping me understand a bit of how I’m feeling. They also help me think of things I need to discuss with my therapist. Thank you for spreading information and educating us. You’re truly appreciated.

[@Shay_TheUnpopularOpinion_]

You are so humble!

[@whit2642]

Shay I was thinking the SAME thing! Never comes across as belittling or judge mental. So important when helping others who need the insight.

[@AaliyahLeveau]

There are many triggers throughout the day that cause me to dissociate, and my therapist also recommended the 5 senses excercise, 5 things I see, 4 things I hear, etc. which does help but I really recommend implementing a daily yoga routine even if it's only 10 minutes a day. Meditation can get really distracting for people who dissociate and sometimes we start to think of negative thoughts and we get stuck again, I find that yoga fits in the meditation, mindfulness, and the physical excursion which is so important for trauma survivors. Yoga is truly for everyone, I really recommend the channel yoga with Adrienne, she's really down to earth and funny and has so many different guided sequences, it's also really comforting to be able to move freely in your own home as I also suffer from anxiety, which I think many of us do as well. It's really hard to deal with this and feel so helpless at times, I hope this helps. And thank you again Kati, I love your videos they're so informative And you always leave me feeling better about myself in some way.

[@SPLIFBEATZ]

Aaliyah Kosovich Leveau Richard Grannon recommens in this case that also have a look on your unprocessed emotions. if you carey them with you or you get triggered you cope with them, but you don't process. get me?

[@abdullahal-owaihan2076]

Can I communicate with you? [phone]

[@betsycambareri5775]

I have not been successful at trying to implement meditation. I can't stay present.

[@Crystalmo2009]

You really do a great job with educating and explaining all types of disorders. I enjoy your videos! Thank you.

[@mulberryauburn8089]

You are so kind and gentle thank you so much for this video, i’ll try these tips & I hope it will get me through reality

[@ghopes4lif3]

I've been dealing with this my whole life and NEVER knew. Thank you so much for this video.

[@damierastone4025]

You hit the nail right on the head when you first said it feels like you're waking up or you were asleep when you come to in a dissociative state and it's very confusing and it's very frustrating. I'm very glad to hear somebody express that feeling besides myself because I find it very frustrating and upsetting to lose hours and not really know if I was sleeping or not. I actually talked to my friend at 1:30 in the morning and said good night and I was sitting in the chair at the desk… I all of a sudden came to and looked at my watch and it was 530 in the morning and I had a bunch of writing that I had done in front of me but I don't remember and it just felt like I just kind of came to but I wasn't sure if I slept or not and I don't remember doing the writing.

[@caribarker1]

I major dissociated last Sunday night. I was walking down the street in Austin, Tx with my husband and it was an incredibly stressful two days. At some point I totally checked out and “came to” hours later after intercourse with my husband of 29 years” First thing I remember is explaining why I possibly dissociated for a few hours. This freaked my husband majorly out when he realized I remembered absolutely nothing! 😳 When will you post more information about Dissociation?? I’ve watched this many times over the last two years. Please do more videos about this topic! I know my brain is “protecting” me. However, it is super terrifying to know I wasn’t in control over a 3 hour period. Thanks! 😍 Update: Over 2 months since I shared this and not one memory has returned. My neurologist has scheduled a brain mri to rule out anything neurological . Katie.. what is the difference between Dissociation and TGA (Transient Global Amnesia)?

[@viniciuslsp16]

Omg, this was so helpful thank you so much. I’ve been dealing with this for a while, never saw as a problem, but lately it has reached to a point where I wasn’t leaving my life anymore outside this alternative reality. Understanding where does it comes from is definitely gonna help me overcome it. At least now i now why it happens.

[@meghanbrummond4232]

I love your channel. When I went through dissociation, I started wearing a silver ring that had a mantra carved in it. It had two layeres and the top would spin. I found myself spinning it constantly, it really helped me stay present.

[@FelixthePup]

A lot of times when I dissociate it helps me to deal with high stress situations or overly stimulating situations so when I use certain grounding techniques it brings me back to the overstimulating situation, making the situation worse. So figure out why you are dissociating and use skill that will help you get through that situation rather than just dealing with the dissociation

[@philipluker5208]

Just suffice to say thank very much for your helpful, informed channel. Well making a study of all your professional advice video. Well you've sure helped me! Thanks Kati!! kind regards.

[@anettelafa8823]

Wow I’m lost for words this entire time I thought I was crazy when I would describe to my loved ones what I feel when I’m in a dissociative state, thank you so much for shedding light

[@chayerradi4063]

You are professional and empathetic, with a friendly attitude. The result is very efficient. Bravo

[@bridgettlifelongchristian4131]

When I disassociate I feel zoned out, but the part that bothers me is when someone interrupt the moment by repeatedly calling my name or waving their hands in front of my face. When I disassociate I dont see it as a bad thing, its more peaceful than harm. But i notice I do it more now throughout the day/night then I ever have.

[@sofiapesteve]

Tapping and EMDR helped me when working on dissociative disorder. It was a difficult process, and at times I needed to give myself breaks, but my therapist was very supportive, and I feel like I’m doing MUCH better now! Thanks for posting. I remember being shocked when memories kept popping up out of nowhere, so it’s nice to have people like you as an outlet. Love your channel. ❤️

[@moniquesuniqueutahhomes]

You’re amazzzing!! Thank you for all of your help!!♥️♥️

[@heathercareyvlogs5748]

I was just diagnosed with this today. I have PTSD from abuse in the past.😭 I came here to learn about it and this is exactly how I feel!

[@allamerican2689]

Thanks Kati... Ive been in dissociation for about a year.. I even had some suicidal thoughts😷 now i like spending more time by myself, i vent in writing ✍ ... Listening to old songs from my teen years and new ones too.. I light incense, spray a few perfumes on the curtains, i didnt know im dissociating 😔 this video sure helped me a lot 🙏 I just subscribed❤

[@unicornshit8889]

Thank you so much. Really, you’re the only video that taught me how to ground myself. Thank you, I think I know what to do now when I begin to “drift” and “lose contact”

[@MackaylaBrodrick]

I always find that just reminding myself that this is real and I’m really here helps! I’ve tried using my senses in times like this and when I’m having a panic attack but it doesn’t really help. Sometimes focusing on one specific thing helps too me too :)

[@melissaday4924]

Is maladaptive daydreaming a form of dissociation? I do that a lot whem I overwhelmed and can't remember anything but the daydream.

[@ye2855]

Not really

[@dianaop9880]

Yes you are dissociating while daydreaming

[@durgaambika4342]

I have the same doubt. Ive also been through trauma and neglect which made me to mdd from childhood And I think it's a mild form dissociation as a coping mechanism.

[@finchFiction]

I'm so glad that I ran across this video. I struggle with this in times of stress. it feels like I'm moving really slow and can't keep up with those around me. i feel like I can't read or process information. it's really annoying. but I'm glad to not be alone though.

[@oliviamarie5285]

Alysha Kerr You definitely are NOT alone! My experiences are very similar. I always just try to remember that it never lasts and it’s always temporary.

[@amyp.575]

You explain things better than anyone I've ever heard!! And I was a psych major and watch lectures all the time!! Brilliant!!!

[@approximate1665]

I'm so happy she made this video. I've been heavily dissociating for a really long time, so much stuff is foggy for me. And I was partially dissociating while watching this video, but I was conscious for the part where she mentioned grounding and for these past few minutes i've been doing some grounding and even in that short amount of time frame its been helping. I can already tell i am on the way to recovery and I am very happy. :)

[@Caroline-yo2zo]

Before I went to therapy (9th grade) I always dissociated. I’ve had a lot of emotional and physical abuse in my life that “caused” my selective mutism/social phobia. Here’s my worst case of dissociation. I was in my 9th grade English class. It happened while the teacher was reading out my paper “anonymously” because I had the “best” story. I was already anxious because everyone was trying to guess who’s paper it was. The butterflies in my stomach were going and then I just got really hot. I wasn’t sweating but my hands did get clammy. I crossed my ankles and put my head in my hands. I draped my hair over my face to cover my crying. I then had the out of body thing. I was watching myself be frozen. The tears ran down my face on to my desk and even the snot (yes, gross). Kids kept asking if it was my paper. Usually due to my selective mutism ai would nod but I couldn’t move. I was sitting in the front row up by the teacher’s desk and I could “see” every person when they said something usually something nice about my paper. I never looked back at them the whole time. A couple “friends” asked if I was okay but I could barely breath. I “watched” everything while I sat there; I kept telling myself to do anything but it fell on deaf ears. I was frozen like that for 30 minutes. If it wasn’t for some kid yelling “LUNCH TIME!” in the hallway who knows how long I would’ve been sitting there. That was the end of class and I immediately texted my dad to pick me up early. Before I could leave the teacher stopped me and congratulated me and I was standing there with a tear covered snot covered bright face in front of other students asking normal questions. As soon as I could I booked it out of the school and went home. Me dissociating is what ultimately led me to fail half of freshmen year even though I was an honor student. I will say I some how ended with an A- for first semester honors english even though I missed 2/3 of class. Thank god now I’m in online school now! It’s the best thing ever! The worst thing is that I was excited for my work to be read but terrified of it being read. It’s so stupid.

[@Letmebecringe]

I always zone out in big crowds and sometimes if I’m walking with someone I have to reach my hand out to them and just mindlessly follow them.

[@wendysmith9682]

I love your videos. You’re very comfortable to listen to and knowledgeable. Thank you

[@reality8605]

It seems like the people that need the most help are often those that can't function or support themselves very well and therefor can't afford the very help they need even if they were able to seek it out. These video's help a lot.

[@ghostlycompanion]

⚠️ this can be triggering and is very personally and I ramble a lot: Personally I feel like I’m watching a movie. I don’t remember anything. Not my childhood, school life, or family. Nothing. I don’t know why though. I don’t think I ever was traumatized or anything. I have all these problems without reason. Like depression and self harm. I don’t know why. I don’t think I have any reason to be like this and I want it to stop. I want to say something. Anything to anyone. But I can’t. I don’t feel anything anymore but numb. I want help but I just can’t. I’m scared. I feel bad. I don’t want to anymore. I just. j dhebbdbdgdvdvdvhdbfhfhfhfhd. Ya know? I know I should stop tying because I’m stressing myself out and it’s hard to breathe so I’m going to take a break and try to calm down because I’m panicking. I usually delete these but I’m tired and don’t feel like it even though this is one of the shot ones lmao.Sorry For venting!

[@athena719]

Todoroki UwU I’m currently in the same situation . Reading comments like these is comforting bc I know I’m not alone.

[@ghostlycompanion]

COCAIIINA phD They make me feel panicky. I’m glad they help you at least! Whatever situation you’re in, I just want you to know that people care for you.

[@rasyarawal06]

I feel the same way somewhat because I have no trauma to tie to my dissociation. There’s no specific reason for me to feel this way. I don’t remember much about my childhood either. Just random snapshots in my head of memories. And I have a consistently poor memory because i can only remember a year worth of memories well. As the years keep becoming the past, i keep forgetting them. Forgetting experiences. Unless someone who was there with me during some memory reminds me and even then its soo faint like i remember something like this happening but no real recollection of events

[@nykastronge5679]

Sometimes we.just don't remember our trauma.

[@Superbooomer]

Mayen you do have some sort of trauma but your brain pushed it out of your memory because it was too painful? That's the point of dissociation I think

[@josehenriquez5447]

I've had this for 3 years and 2 months and hasn't gone away.. I live my life feeling disconnected from my body and it scares me all the time

[@zain4019]

jose henriquez it’s going to be okay.

[@charlieopalc]

You okay now? 💕💕💕 You're an inspiration

[@WilliamSmith-iz2kl]

You are very enlightened. Thank you for doing what you do. I am very grateful for hearing your advice.

[@keilad.6226]

I swear, qauruntine only worsened mines. And my family problems have taken away the happiness I was supposed to feel against them. Before I was sure I hated them, but we had another fight, and now I'm beyond the point of hate. I just don't feel anything anymore. Nothing I found so much happiness in school, and the fact you don't live with them is what made our time so precious. But now I feel I'm just here, I can't explain or describe what I'm feeling cause I don't know which emotion I'm going towards.

[@MissStillAlive]

I used to dissociate in therapy ALL THE TIME, especially with deep psychology therapist because I just felt too overwhelmed. What I find helps for me are two kinds of skills: Prevention and Reaction. Prevention: If you fear that you might dissociate, try not to wear hats, keep both feet on the ground, observe things around you (mindfullness), move e.g. your hands or your feet, try not to stare at one point in the room but look around. Reaction: (when I'm not able to move, my friends help me with that) smelling ammoniac (very helpful), having an extremely hot piece of candy in your mouth (chili), doing "brain flic flacs" (e.g. naming a fruit with every letter of the alphabet, etc.), touching ice cubes, walking with bare feet (mainly over grass or stones, to feel something)

[@raymondserna172]

Rayne Hale yea everytime i had a long coversation with someonei would forget most of the things ppl woukd say

[@yeat7264]

I dissociate in therapy too, and i didn't know short term paralysis is a symptom of dissociation, i get that all the time