I have on three occasions experienced a state where I can still perceive shapes, but they don’t have any meaning, don’t feel real, and do not resolve into separate objects. It only lasted a few seconds in each case, and was not distressing. In fact it was fascinating and I wished it lasted longer so I could gather more data. I’m still capable of voluntary action during these spells— I know this because I once said “Oh hey, I’m derealized!” (or something like that) while it was happening.
I used to experience a phenomenon that I privately call ‘paralysis of the will’, which lasted about ten seconds, and during which I was incapable of willing any new voluntary action, but could continue with my present activity. For example, it happened when I was driving, and I continued to drive, halted a stop sign, and then proceeded. But if someone had asked me a question during that time, I wouldn’t have been able to reply. It’s never been a problem for me, since it looks like absent-mindedness or preoccupation and doesn’t last long. I used to get it every few months, but not for the last ten years. It’s not an absence seizure because my memory is continuous through it.
I don’t know if this tells you anything. I might be typical-minding here, but I think lots of people get various brief funny mental phenomena, and most people just shrug it off.
I have on three occasions experienced a state where I can still perceive shapes, but they don’t have any meaning, don’t feel real, and do not resolve into separate objects. It only lasted a few seconds in each case, and was not distressing. In fact it was fascinating and I wished it lasted longer so I could gather more data. I’m still capable of voluntary action during these spells— I know this because I once said “Oh hey, I’m derealized!” (or something like that) while it was happening.
I used to experience a phenomenon that I privately call ‘paralysis of the will’, which lasted about ten seconds, and during which I was incapable of willing any new voluntary action, but could continue with my present activity. For example, it happened when I was driving, and I continued to drive, halted a stop sign, and then proceeded. But if someone had asked me a question during that time, I wouldn’t have been able to reply. It’s never been a problem for me, since it looks like absent-mindedness or preoccupation and doesn’t last long. I used to get it every few months, but not for the last ten years. It’s not an absence seizure because my memory is continuous through it.
I don’t know if this tells you anything. I might be typical-minding here, but I think lots of people get various brief funny mental phenomena, and most people just shrug it off.