Work with a trauma therapist and learn techniques to keep yourself grounded. You can learn to stop yourself and keep yourself together emotionally so you don't drift off. Is there a way to prevent going into dissociation fugue or amnesia? I feel like its happening now?
Try: P.T.S.D. FLASHBACKS PTSD FLASHBACKS: A GROUNDING TECHNIQUE, in sections 33 - 34, at ezy build, below. A previous answer follows: See Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, at http://www.ezy-build.net.nz/~shaneris in sections 33 - 34, and examine the http://1-800-therapist.com/ %26amp; http://www.metanoia.org/choose/ websites, and use the locators in sections 33 - 34, and section 1, and phone book, and/or various associations for psychiatrists and psychologists, to find the nearest one using EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy).
If unable to afford it, or to locate one nearby, contact the county/local mental health agency: any therapy on offer may prove helpful, particularly if combined with appropriate medication. (The following is a variant of EMDR therapy, which has been used successfully for those people suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, insomnia, and anxiety: it is easily learned, quick to use, yet can be very effective.
It is easy to be dismissive of it, because it may seem a little strange, but is well worth trying, for at least a few weeks, to see how it effective it is in your case). First, sit comfortably, and take a deep breath. Then, without moving your head, move your eyes from the left, to the right, and back again, taking around a second to do so (say: "a thousand and one": this takes approximately a second). Repeat this procedure (without the words, although you can count, subvocally if you like) 20 times. Then close your eyes and relax. Become aware of any tension or discomfort you feel. Then open your eyes, and take another deep breath, and repeat step one, closing your eyes, and relaxing afterwards, in the same manner. Then, repeat the procedure one last time.
Some people may find that this is all they need do: others find that they need 2 sessions in quick succession, but professional treatment is the best option, if you can access it. With practice, you may find that you can employ this technique with your eyes closed, thereby enabling a much wider window of opportunity to use in public, without attracting unwanted attention. If you can't access EMDR, you can request someone you trust to instruct you to focus on the event(s) which caused the PTSD, while you are performing the eye movements, and just before you are due to finish, (they count your eye movements, as your eyes follow their finger, as they move it from left to right; back and forth) and ask you what you are thinking/feeling at that time.
Professional EMDR is always much preferable, and Opester, (who gives it a glowing recommendation) a therapist with more than 20 years experience, and a former contributor, here, stated that it was one of only 2 disorders which can be completely cured.
Is there a way to prevent going into dissociation fugue or amnesia? I feel like its happening now?
I assume you are in therapy to help cope with the stress. That said, one of the things I found can bring on a total state of confusion is the flickering florescent lights in large stores like Wal Mart or building supply stores. Avoid them.
Secondly, if your blood sugar falls too low, that can also stress you. You must eat on a regular basis and avoid all sugar and most starchy carbs like white bread, flour, white rice, potatoes. Eat good protein and some fat like cheese and butter for brain fuel.
When you find yourself in that confused state, stop and try to ground yourself by relaxing. Close your eyes, sit still, take deep breaths and let it pass. Soothing music has a good effect on you, too.
Sometimes just too much stimulus going on at one time can trigger a disassociated state. Loud noise, loud people. . . .
Know that it will always pass. It's a terrible feeling, I know, but I find that I do better by preventing it when I can as opposed to stopping it once it started. (I suffered PTSS also.)
I also learned to use self-hypnosis for relaxation, but simple meditation will be almost as good.
Don't be scared. Just be careful and don't try to make any big decisions or win any important arguments when you feel stressed.
God bless you. I hope this helps. Take care.
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