what does it mean when you blank out - Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Message Board

sam107 · 09-09-2008, 05:51 PM

I blanked out twice. One day I was driving and I did not know how I got from one lane to the other and my turning signal was on. About 2 days later I did not know how I got from point a to point b. I am not really stressed out or anything.

maybecrazy · 09-09-2008, 08:46 PM

Hi Sam107,

Have you seen a doctor? if not the it would be a good idea to see one and see if there is a physical cause for the blank out. they can then refer you on if you need to see someone else -

MBC

sillychilibean · 09-27-2008, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sam107

I blanked out twice. One day I was driving and I did not know how I got from one lane to the other and my turning signal was on. About 2 days later I did not know how I got from point a to point b. I am not really stressed out or anything.

Those are signs of amnesia, which are symptoms of DID (dissociative identity disorder) or dissociative fugue. Complex PTSD and dissociative disorders usually go hand in hand. DID is also not uncommon, it is just hard to diagnose because it is so well hidden, and people who have it are usually misdiagnosed their entire lives.

It would be good to contact your therapist or doctor and talk with them about your blank episodes. I am not a doctor, but it sounds like you are dissociative. The DSM-IV term for 'blanking out' is called dissociation. Its just a type of survival mechanism, like PTSD.

Silly

lonelymum · 11-16-2008, 08:15 AM

Hi

I hope I'm not too late in posting to your thread. I was recently diagnosed with Post Traumatic Disorder and am still working on the whys and wherefors. The "blank out" situation happened to me also but moreso than what you have written. I have and had been through much trauma and earlier this year I went through a very emotional traumatic situation. I awoke in a bed that I had bought the day before (a under the same roof separation) and did not know where I was, could not remember how I got there and why I was there. I was totally lost and confused. I did not know the people around me for a short time and felt terribly confused. Someone in the house got my friend over to talk me through things from the day before but it did not compute, I kept asking silly questions. She took me back to her house where I slept the rest of the morning. Another neighbour took me to the doctors the next morning where they put me on anti depressants not knowing what else to do. I have many blank moments. ie. I will be driving somewhere that I have driven many times before and get to ie. a roundabout and panick not knowing which direction. Sounds so stupid doesn't it? I am having psychological counselling and am on mild anti depressants which they want to increase as I keep having panick attacks. What to do I don't know, just interesting to read a similar story.

maybecrazy · 11-17-2008, 06:32 PM

I think sometimes we do things on automatic pilot - i knowthat happens a lot whilst im driving - i get from point a to point b and dont remember the journey - i put that down to auto pilot - im not stressed at those times - im just doing things without thinking about them

THe other type of blank i have is a complete loss of what i am saying or where i am going - and i just cant get the moments back - its hard to explain - I have had moments where i have not recognised where i am but they have been fleeting so i cannot imagine how youfelt lonelymum when you didnt know where you were - it must have been very upsetting and scary and I hope you get something that works for you sooner rather than later - I seem to be saying that a lot lately - I hope you find something that works for you - but i really do mean it - and i think we all have to find what works for us - it's good to hear from others so we do not feel so alone though - take care . MBC