[18F] Experiencing dissociation, sensory changes, and hallucinations after trauma

What might be happening

Your symptoms—auditory hallucinations, dissociation, blackouts, phantom limb sensations, and feelings of detachment—are complex and may be related to multiple underlying conditions. Here are some possibilities:

1. Dissociative Disorders

Your experiences of detachment, seeing yourself in the third person, and blackouts are hallmark signs of dissociative disorders. These include:

• Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID): Often linked to severe trauma, DID can cause disruptions in identity and memory, leading to blackouts and feelings of detachment.
• Depersonalization/Derealization Disorder: This condition causes feelings of being disconnected from yourself or your surroundings, much like the sensations you’ve described.

These disorders are often triggered by trauma, which aligns with your history of abuse and neglect. Your recent move away from your parents may have intensified these symptoms due to the stress and emotional impact of the change.

2. Neurological Conditions

The phantom limb sensations and blackouts could suggest a neurological issue, such as:

• Seizures or Epilepsy: Certain types of seizures, like temporal lobe epilepsy, can cause sensory changes, blackouts, and feelings of detachment.
• Sleep Disorders: Conditions like sleep paralysis or parasomnias may explain the sensations and vivid experiences occurring during calm moments or sleep transitions.

3. Medication Side Effects

Some of your medications, such as Latuda, Zoloft, or Buspar, can occasionally cause dissociation, vivid dreams, or sensory changes as side effects. It’s possible that your current medication regimen may be contributing to these symptoms.

What you can do

Seek professional help

• Mental health evaluation: A psychologist or psychiatrist can assess for dissociative disorders and help you navigate the emotional impact of your trauma.
• Neurological evaluation: A neurologist can perform tests like an EEG or MRI to rule out seizures or other neurological conditions.
• Medication review: Discuss your symptoms with your prescribing doctor to determine whether adjustments to your medications are needed.

Track your symptoms

Use MDandMe to journal your symptoms, including when they occur, how long they last, and any potential triggers. This information can help your healthcare provider identify patterns and underlying causes.

Self-care strategies

While waiting for professional evaluation, you can try the following:

• Grounding techniques: Practice grounding exercises, such as focusing on your surroundings or engaging your senses, to help manage feelings of detachment.
• Stress management: Incorporate relaxation techniques like deep breathing, meditation, or gentle exercise to reduce stress, which may help lessen symptom intensity.
• Avoid triggers: If certain environments or thoughts seem to worsen your symptoms, try to limit exposure to them when possible.

What you should look out for

Some symptoms may require urgent attention. Seek immediate medical care if you experience:

• Prolonged blackouts: Especially if you lose consciousness for extended periods or have difficulty waking up.
• Severe confusion or memory loss: If you struggle to recall events or feel disoriented.
• New or worsening symptoms: Such as weakness, numbness, or difficulty speaking, which could indicate a neurological issue.
• Thoughts of self-harm or suicide: If you feel unsafe, reach out to a crisis hotline or trusted support system immediately.

Your symptoms are complex, and addressing them will likely require a team of healthcare professionals. You’re taking an important step by seeking advice, and I encourage you to follow up with a doctor or specialist soon. Let me know if you need help creating a plan or finding resources!