Dissociation in BPD

Hi everyone. I have recently been diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder. It's nice and a relief to finally have a diagnosis andI fit the criteria well, but wanted to ask others what their experiences with dissociation are. I am finding myself doing it more and more. Sometimes I convince myself life isn't real but one big dream and nobody I meet or see in the street is real but part of my dreams so it doesn't matter what I do/don't say to them. I zone out when people talk to me most days aswell and forget all they've said by the end of the story/sentence. Can anyone relate to this?

xx

I believe its a common symptom, especially for those who experienced child abuse.
It happens to me constantly throughout the day, especially the zoning out.

It's impossible to truly experience another's reality but your own. However, your emotions are a physical and mental process that let's you become engulfed by other people. Have a little faith in other people and this world your living in. It's an experience to be enjoyed and not dismissed. It's all a matter of perspective...

I think it's a big part of BPD, even though it's not a criterion. Dissociation is the mind's way of helping to protect us from events that are "less than comfortable." It's not full blown amnesic level, but it's a rough enough time that our mind needs to shut off our understanding of things for a little while.

Now, how often do we have situations like that? Yeah, a lot.

Casper wrote:It's not full blown amnesic level

Dissociative amnesia (also called psychogenic amnesia) is a thing. It's something I used to experience a lot. I don't know how prevalent it is in BPD, but I do know that it's a very real thing that some people with BPD experience.

OP, dissociation and derealization are what got me diagnosed BPD 10 years ago (along with general Cluster B-ness). I had been diagnosed PTSD around the same time (from recurring childhood trauma/abuse). From what I understand dissociation or derealization are common in BPD, which isn't surprising as many people with BPD have in common serious child abuse and trauma. I used to check out completely and would lose hours--entire shifts of work or something. I've long since identified triggers and have worked through most of them or learned how to avoid them. I also used to experience the dream-like sensation of things not being real. When I was younger I would also zone out even when people were talking to me. It really doesn't bother me much anymore, and it's been years since I had dissociative symptoms.

There's a PTSD video I really like that I think demonstrates dissociation (and other trauma symptoms) really well. I'll link it if anyone is interested, but huge trigger warnings.

This is common. Since a good number of people with BPD also happen to have been abused, it makes sense that we would dissociate since that's one way the body tries to naturally cope with abuse. It can also be a way to cope with our super intense moods.

Hi, I can. It happens to me sometimes when spending time with my friends. I don't really listen to them, I can't connect, I zone out and I just want to go home. Also, when I look at my childhood and all cr#p I went through I start thinking it didn't happen. It could't have. I am making it all up. So, it's quite common.

I feel like this sometimes when I'm stressed out.