Since what happened, I’ve felt strangely cut off from everything around me. I can talk to people and do normal stuff, but it feels like I’m watching myself from a distance instead of actually being there. Even things I used to care about don’t always bring much feeling anymore.
I remember sitting at the kitchen table after it happened, listening to everyone talk, and realizing I couldn’t follow the conversation at all. I was there physically, but my mind felt somewhere else. That scared me more than I expected.
Is this kind of disconnection a normal reaction to trauma, or should I be worried that it’s lasting too long?
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@Terry_Rojas, the part about being physically present but unable to follow the conversation sounds especially unsettling. I’ve had a similar blank, faraway feeling during a stressful period, and it helped to quietly name things in the room and notice my feet on the floor.
That kind of disconnection can happen after trauma, but if it keeps going or is interfering with daily life, it’s worth telling a doctor or therapist. You don’t have to wait until it gets worse.
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@Robert_Bennett, naming things in the room and feeling your feet on the floor has helped me too. I usually add something cold, like holding a glass of water, because the physical sensation gives my attention somewhere concrete to land.
The reminder not to wait until it gets worse is useful. I tend to minimize symptoms when I can still get through work and basic tasks, even when I’m clearly not fully present. Did you find those grounding techniques worked better at certain times, like during conversations or when you were alone?