Blackout vs. Fugue

I would have posted this in the fugue forum but the last post was back in June. So I thought it might be ok to post it here to see if anyone has experienced this and knows whether or not it was a blackout or fugue.

My mind went black when I was driving. I was supoosed to be on the way to pick up my SO, next thing I knew I was in a brightly lit parking lot crying my eyes out. This store was in the opposite direction and close to my house. I had a text from my SO asking if I was ever going to pick her up. I don't know how long it lasted. I'm guessing maybe 30 minutes. I'm no longer allowed to drive, until I get my DID organized and under better control.

Does anyone have any experience with something like this? I had been calling it a blackout but am wondering if it might have been a fugue. Clarification and any help is very much welcomed.

Thanks!

My understanding based on reading diagnostic information is that since it is known you have DID, your episode of lost time would not be considered fugue. It would just be dissociative amnesia, a symptom of DID. Maybe another alter can account for what happened?

Regardless of what it was, it sounds upsetting. Not being able to drive must make life a bit harder, to say the least. But it is good you are taking care to stay safe.

Been there, done that. Blackout vs fugue is largely a difference in point of view. I would call what you experienced a blackout. Amnesia, obviously. Possibly there was also switching, but due to the amnesia you can't be sure there was a switch. To identify a fugue usually you need another person's report confirm there was an identity switch.

Dissociative fugues are rare outside of DID, common in persons with DID. So sayeth DSM-5.

In any event, I agree no more driving for you, for now. It isn't safe. Rest assured this is temporary, just while you get your system sorted out. Many of us have been there, done that.

Una+ wrote: To identify a fugue usually you need another person's report confirm there was an identity switch.

Dissociative fugues are rare outside of DID, common in persons with DID. So sayeth DSM-5.

Aw, I feel like I failed a test. But thank goodness for Una+.

Ok amnesia makes sense, lost time. I've had lost time but this felt different it was dangerous scared the s**t out of me. I called my T hysterical, I don't know how she understood me. I heard, "listen everybody" then I went out again and when I came back I was calm like nothing had happened. It was a wake up call for me.

Thanks for the info everyone, I appreciate the feedback.

Yup, you are experiencing DID blackouts. A fugue is a little different: a fugue lasts longer and the alter who is in executive control during that time does not know about you or even that he or she is an alter. The alter is very disoriented and recognizes nothing as familiar, which is why persons in a fugue tend to travel. They are trying to get home, only they don't know who they are or where home is.

It sounds like this alter did know something about the current situation, hence the driving somewhere and crying and the calming down after your therapist talked through to "everyone". It sounds like you have a good therapist who really is competent to work with DID.

This is so incredibly scary, isn't it? I know the feeling. Many of us here can relate.

I have figured this out. I blacked out when I hit the 4 lane which is maybe 1/2 mile from my subdivision. The next exit is 12 miles away. I think whoever was driving maybe got scared or nervous and took that exit and turned around, then parked at the covenience store.

I have asked and no one will take responsibility. I said no one is going to get in trouble, I just want to know what happened.