Disassociation

[ParisPierre]

Hey ladies…how did anyone deal with disassociation? If anyone experienced that? Also gaining back confidence. My last episode was weird. It was like an outer body experiencing. I found myself constantly looking at my hand and feet…it was weird….I know find myself constantly looking in the mirror to make sure I’m still me…it’s weird….

[Gina139693]

Hi ParisPierre.Yes, I experienced dissociation during PPS and I used a couple different strategies to deal with the sensation. The strategies that worked for me were grounding and smudging. During a grounding exercise, I reviewed my five senses and reflected on what was in my environment. During smudging, I lit a candle and enjoyed the scent to bring me back to the room.

My confidence has been returning and I continue to use grounding because I have enjoyed being present.

Best of luck. Stay with it and you'll feel better and better. It's quite a journey.

[ParisPierre in reply to Gina139693]

Yes it is definitely a journey !!! Thank you

[Jenny_at_APP Partner]

Hi ParisPierre

I don’t have experience of dissociation but I found the following quite helpful to read:

mind.org.uk/information-sup...

It mentions talking therapies as a recommended treatment, is this something you might have access to? I wasn’t able to access counselling or CBT but know others have found it really helpful, and I’m sure you’ll get other tips and suggestions of what has helped other people. I hope you’re successful in finding a psychiatrist who specialises in PP as well.

I’m sure building back confidence is something we’ve all struggled with. For me, it took time, and support and reassurance from friends and family really helped. In terms of caring for my son, I think the more I did the day to day tasks of feeding etc., and spent time with him, it just gradually got easier and I could trust myself a bit more the more time passed. Confidence around other people took time as well, do you have trusted friends you can talk to?

I don’t know if you’ve managed to have a look at APP’s insider guide around recovery after PP (app-network.org/what-is-pp/..., and I hope you’re finding some comfort in connecting with others here.

Thinking of you.

Best wishes,

Jenny x

[DM_110]

Hi ParisPierre,

My episode was in last February. I’m not exactly sure if I have experienced disassociation but I didn’t quite feel like myself until few months ago. It could have been the effect of the medications as well.

As far as building confidence and starting to trust myself again it was a slow and difficult process. It was hard for me to come to terms with the fact that I was struck by such an illness. During my therapy sessions the biggest concern I would have is that I did not feel confidence at all in taking care of my kids. I think it took 9 months easily for me to gain back the confidence and start doing things on my own. The help and support of my family was a big aspect in this journey. I also hired a nanny for my kids for a couple hours each day and that was a huge help.

Just take things one step at a time and allow yourself the time to heal- you will gain yourself back again, it just takes time and patience.

[DM_110 in reply to DM_110]

I’d also like to add that I gradually went back to work on a part time basis 6 months after my episode starting as one day a week. This really helped me build my confidence as my work involves helping and interacting with people. Wishing you the best in your recovery journey!!

[ParisPierre]

Thank you!!!!!❤️❤️❤️

[Glamaw]

You will gain your confidence back! During my recovery I would find little tasks around the house that made me feel accomplished and successful as a person and always tried to do something that relaxed me or that I found joy in. This journey of recovery after such a horrible illness takes time. But find your people, talk about what it is your going through, and ask for help when you need it and you will get back to your old self! I am a living , walking , talking, example of a true success story!