When experiencing trauma, has anyone else noticed time slowing down? What causes this?

Question

I was in a house fire several years ago and had to get myself and my two small children out. We had been sleeping and I woke up (how I don't know) to the enitire living room/kitchen ablaze, the house filled with smoke and the exit blocked. Somehow time seemed to slow down so that each split second seemed to take a long time. And during this time I knew EXACTLY what I had to do and how to do it. I suddenly knew things that I'd never consiously thought about before (ie: exactly how to throw my 4 yr. old from 20 feet up, so that he would land with minimal injury). This took multi-tasking to a whole new level. I have never thought so clearly and precisely in my life. I've heard of people in car accidents experiencing this feeling of time slowing down 0- has anyone experienced this? Does anyone know what causes this?

Answer 1

I'm afraid I don't know, but it's a fascinating phenomenon. If only we could always think that clearly even when it's not an emergency. I am glad you were able to think of each of the things you needed to do. I am sure the sharp focus comes from a huge burst of adrenalin.

Psychologists generally call what you experienced "dissociation" and here is a little about that:

Evolution of the concept of dissociation led to the description of a constellation of varied clinical manifestations attributed to it, including altered perceptions of physical sensation, time, memory, and the perceptions of self and reality.

The basic mechanism of dissociation was felt to involve the splitting off of parts of memory or perception in order to escape intolerable anxiety triggered by those areas of the mind that retained elements of the traumatic conflict.

Answer 2

Total self-absorption, and complete focus on one thing. When the mind is concentrating on one task, event, or idea, the diversion of multiple experience is eliminated. Think of it this way. When you are busy doing several things at once, time seems to go by quickly. On the other hand, if you were to spend even one minute staring at a plain white wall, you would be surprised how long a minute seemed. Try it sometime, you'll see.

Answer 3

I experienced this same feeling 7 months ago during an armed robbery at my job. Even though, I went through all the right motions during the incident, getting the staff into a locked room, going into the vault with the criminal, at gun point it all felt like "slow motion" seemed like it took over 20 min. when in fact it was only 2mins and 49 sec. Apparently as the first answer indicates "disassociation" and you go into shock to protect yourself..Something called "flight or fright" you either run or freeze, in a traumatic situation and later your mind has to deal with it or you go into post traumatic stress.
Thank God that you were able to save yourself and your children.