Dizziness and headaches

Does anyone suffer from dizziness and headaches as a result of the dissociation, swithing etc? A few days ago I was talking to my social worker about a traumatic memory. Every since then, whenever i've been out of my own (walk, cafe etc) i've ended up on the pavement outside my flat not knowing where i am or who people are. it has taken a while to come around. i've been really tired. and the dizziness/headaches mean that i just want to lie down with my eyes closed. It feels like it never ends. I wake up, do sometihng, and a while later feel dizzy so go back to bed.

Also, I have no idea whether it's relavant or not. My name's changing. A few years ago I changed it to 'H' but in the last few weeks, whenever people have asked my name, it has taken a while to reply as I've gone through R and Sophie first....R makes sense, but who is Sophie????? Do you think i'm going through a major switch.

Can't figure out whats going on. But do others have headaches and dizziness when they dissociate, or after remembering a traumatic event? I don't remember things this bad before, but i may not have noticed living with parents the struggle to get daily tasks completed

Yes.

What has your social worker taught you about grounding and containment? It sounds like the work on those elements of Stage 1 (safety and stabilization) therapy may have been inadequate for getting into Stage 2 (trauma work) at this time.

Oh, thanks

Its been years since anyone has reminded me about grounding techniques. And didn't realise that you had to be grounded before you could do the trauma work. It wasn't a therapy session. Just me meeting her as usual, telling her my worries - one of which is getting to know a member of staff where I live and the memory he triggers each time. So maybe she is right that I shouldn't get to know him just yet. At least she was going to talk with my old art thearpist about going back to therapy, for 18 months she's been saying i have to take a break, i'm doing fine etc.

Just want to cry as I thought I had been doing so well

Ah, well, now there is a triggering person in your environment. That can stir up all kinds of stuff.

Also, those grounding and containment skills are good for coping throughout life, not just during therapy and not just during a brief phase of therapy.