Could someone please help me understand

Earlier today I was exploring research ideas an concepts, and getting more and more ideas. I was getting really excited. Then something triggered a memory and that set off similar memories, not positive. There was so much noise in my head. I started rocking and holding my head, and I was desperately trying to mask it and push through it. Then I started to feel unwell. I had to go out on an errand and thought the fresh air would help. I started feeling really disconnected and my peripheral vision was out of focus. The bright noisy shop was unsettling and people suddenly appearing near me was scary. I was feeling really unwell. I had to ask for something at a counter and had to force the words. The short walk home and I felt really wrong. Managed to tell husband that I needed to lie down. I grabbed my dressing gown and pulled it over my head and just lay there. At some point I fell asleep. Got woken up awhile later because someone shouted. I just lay on my bed unable to move for a long time. My kids came in and chatted to me and all I need was stare at them. 

I was feeling very drained, shaky and more jumpy than usual.

Then my kids started bickering and I could hear then fiddling with something (they are not little) and their arguing and the clicking noises got to me. I screamed and shouted so aggressively. 

This was a little while ago.

I still feel so drained, shaky and jumpy.

Could someone please let me know what happened, I really want to understand. 

Parents
  • Hi Pikl, 
    This sounds like an intense and terrifying experience. It's brave of you to share and let your clearly questing mind grapple with something so overwhelming. 

    I'm not a qualified psychiatrist or Autism specialist. That said, from what you have eloquently described, it sounds like you might have experienced a trigger for traumatic memories. That sense of disconnect brings to mind dissociation, as the irritability and quickness to startle would align with my understanding of trauma too. 

    Some of this overlaps with shutdowns though,I think - the needing to try hard to get words out, again the disconnect... 

    Again, please don't take my answers as gospel or diagnostic. Maybe someone else here can share more expert and in-depth thoughts. 

    You've been through what sounds like a frightening and disorientating experience today, and all the more so given that it happened so suddenly whilst you were engaging in something positive. Take care of yourself tonight, and I hope you get some good rest.

  • Thank you Sphynx. I need to learn why it was caused, but that actually scares  me.

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