Head injury and dissociation

[dms1972]

Hi,

When young I had on two occasions at school of hard impacts to the back of my head. On one occasion a faint came over me and I fell backwards. Both times no one really took much notice but I felt shattered and barely able to cope and in a sense I was trying very hard to make my feelings following the impact go away so I could cope and get through the rest of the day at school...

I don't know if this was dissociation - but I had one instance years later of a temporary fugue state and confusion about who I was. Thank God that never has reoccured. I hope and pray it never will. But if people don't truly understand the condition they can needlessly make things a lot worse for the person suffering.

 

[Johnnz]

What happened the first time was probably concussion. In my experience dissociation comes from much more severe and prolonged trauma. I don't think you need to worry, but talking to your doctor about it could be helpful.

John
NZ

 

[dms1972]

Thanks for your reply. Yes it would be more likely to be a concussion I suppose - never had any examination though the way things happened. Its a quite a while ago. Dissociation can be a reaction in depression or trauma.

 

[Dave-W]

What you described sounds exactly like a concussion.

Talk to your doctor about it.

 

[D2wing]

Be careful with yourself.

 

[dms1972]

I generally am, even if others have not been at times.

I'd like to delete my thread thanks.

 

[Catherineanne]

I generally am, even if others have not been at times.

I'd like to delete my thread thanks.

The fugue and confusion about who you were years later would not be concussion unless there was a new head trauma. Try to be aware of any similar feelings and if it happens again talk to a doctor. Fugue could suggest dissociation of some kind, but I would not be able to say for sure, or say what kind it might be.

 

[dms1972]

OK, thanks I don't really want to say more on a forum...I just wanted to point out that its something that needs handled carefully.

Having a diploma as so many do in 'psychology' isn't adequate it takes a lot more personal skills and experience. I really wish psychology wasn't available as it sometimes is to any student doing higher school or university courses - 'a little learning is a dangerous thing...' these courses should be limited to those in professions - medical, nursing etc, and those old and wise enough to distinguish the core of common sense in psychology from all the chaff in it that helps no one.