This is a very interesting thread, I've read about dissociation but I still don't really get it. I didn't realise there were different types.

I'm unable to recognise when I'm dissociating, or that I just have.

But when I conducted my recent mini survey amongst some friends about my behaviour one of the most common observations was 'spaced out, vague, like no one is there'.

I'm incredibly surprised by this.

During a therapy session my therapist will often say 'where did you go just then' and I will be puzzled 'no where?', or 'where did your mind go, what were you thinking then?' and I don't know, I didn't have any real solid thoughts.

Of course I get the driving thing, which is easier to measure because you've literally travelled further along the road. And I zone out in meetings and realise I haven't listened to a word that's been said. All normal.

Dissociation confuses me because I don't think I disappear, I think I'm just preoccupied with either intrusive thoughts and/or emotions that I'm temporarily unable to join in to the present time.

I can usually remember what I did too - I don't usually stare into space for more then a few minutes. I can lose hours but I lose hours - surfing the internet or reading without really absorbing anything.

It's so confusing this dissociation business. When I read about it I'm not sure if I have it or if my experience is just different to others and the recently I've come to suspect that I might be highly dissociative.