What is Dissociation?

Dissociation is a psychological process in which a person becomes separated from reality and their environment. It is considered a mode of coping with and processing difficult and traumatic experiences. Dissociative disorders are mental health conditions that involve disruptions in a person’s consciousness, memory, identity, or perception of the world around them.

The Different Types of Dissociation

There are a number of different types of dissociation, and they range in severity and duration. The most common types are:

•Depersonalization: Feeling distant from one’s self, or feeling like a detached observer of one’s thoughts, emotions, or physical state.

•Derealization: Feeling disconnected from one’s surroundings or environment, as if in a dream or movie.

•Dissociative Amnesia: Inability to recall information, including memories, events, or even who one is.

•Identity confusion: Difficulty determining one’s self-identity, or feeling disconnected from one’s personal identity.

•Identity alteration: Alteration of one’s self-identity, beliefs, or behavior from its original state.

•Fugue states: Impulsive and purposeful travel with no recollection of prior actions.

Symptoms of Dissociation

The symptoms of dissociation can be physical, cognitive, or emotional in nature, and can range from relatively mild to severe. Some of the most common symptoms include:

•Feeling detached from one’s body and mind

•Losing track of time or not remembering events that occurred

•Hallucinations or false perceptions of reality

•Feeling like a bystander rather than an active participant in conversations, events, or activities

•Trouble with concentration

•Impaired memory or memory lapses

•Difficulty in expressing or understanding emotions

Treating Dissociation

Dissociation, while frightening and confusing, is not a condition that a person needs to live with. There are treatments that can help in managing dissociative episodes and learning to cope with the feelings of distress that accompany them. The most common treatments are:

•Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR): A form of therapy that uses rapid eye movements and other exercises to help process traumatic memories.

•Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): A form of therapy that helps individuals learn to manage and respond to challenging thoughts and feelings.

•Medication: Antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, antipsychotic medications, and other drugs can help to regulate mood and decrease symptoms of dissociation.

Dissociation can be debilitating and frightening, but it is a treatable condition. With the right support and treatments, people who experience dissociation can learn to manage their symptoms and gain control of their lives.