Sorry if this seems differnet but I do not post on line, this is the first time
I've ever posted, i think but then my memory has gotten disjointed over the last couple of years. I am suffering from PTSD apparently accumlated delayed acute ptsd I'm told, when I pay attention. My therpist suggested I try and fine others to talk to to see if it will help but unfortunately I tend to disassociate very easily and can be distrcted for several hours if not interrupted which doesn't make for good talking or writing. I have been using
a small egg timer set for 30 minutes to bring me back. Thats always good for a laugh standing in line at starbucks but it seems to work.

My ptsd comes from 30 years of police work with one major trigger and the final thread coming 4 years ago at a fatal motorcycle accident of a young person I had been mentoring. it was not good and led me to a gravel pit where i sat for some time deciding whether to live or die. obviously i chose to live but not becuse of the death but because my friends would have to investigate it and clean up the mess. I put in my retirment papers the next week and the docotr at the final medical picked up on something and insisted
i see a specialist and now 4 years later i have days i actually manage to do something besides stare at the sky/walls etc etc.

Anyway back again not sure how time went before alarm, it seems normal to me but kinda freaks out the wife to zone out so easy. I'll spend some time readings the threads probably . i'm not a very open person.

dear jailed-
welcome to the forum. i feel for you with your problems. i am told that i suffer survivor's guilt from soldier's that were lost in battle in iraq. i've also been told that i kind of stare off when i get flashbacks. but that is also usually coupled with violent outbursts and thrashing from what i'm told. you are not alone. please feel free to look around the site. it is a great resource of information. respectfully, SM

Welcome, Jailed, good to see you hear. I was a little startled by your name; glad to see you were the one doing the jailing and not literally the one jailed. Actually, I like the name. I guess we all feel like prisoners at times. Hope this site can provide you with information and peace. Zoning out is not all bad, I do it quite often. Never thought of using an egg timer, though.

Best wishes
Cecilia

Jailed,
Welcome to the forum. I too have dissociative momets. I have zoned out most of my life. I thought it was ADD due to abuse but it is PTSD and the dissociative aspects. I use to get depressed when I went to church and came home not remembering much at all. I finally had to tell myself if I pick up on one good point than it is more than I knew before. Most of my zoning out lasts for hours. A half a day can go by and I find myself sitting on the couch getting up looking at the clock andam amzed how much time elapsed. It is common. Sorry about your past what you faced.
sunnydaze

Welcome to the forum......

Hi jailed,
I'm new here too. I seem to need the TV on when I "zone out" cause that's the only time it happens. (That I'm aware of anyway!) If I'm asked what I watched I couldn't tell you.
It takes courage to come here and post; I realize it's anonymous but that doesn't seem to matter - at least to me. I think anytime we deal honestly with our emotions, regardless of what they are, it's a plus.

Take care,
scm

Welcome to the forum Jailed

Welcome to the forum jailed.
You have come to a good place for understanding.

Spirit x

Hi jailed! Welcome to the forum.

Hi jailed. I'm lost, too.