7. Am I Experiencing “Real” Dissociation?

Am I Experiencing “Real” Dissociation?

Have you ever wondered what dissociation looks and feels like? What even is dissociation? In this article, a licensed marriage and family therapist who specializes in trauma therapy and working with people who experience dissociation will lay out some insights to see if you are experiencing “real” dissociation and how to navigate overcoming those dissociative tendencies and experiences.

What is Dissociation?

Dissociation is the brain’s way of disconnecting from the present moment, typically disconnecting from their thoughts, emotions, physical sensations, memories, and their sense of self.

This sometimes can be a common occurrence for the general population of people with something called “highway hypnosis” where you get from point A to point B without knowing what was happening all along the way. This typically happens when someone has been driving a particular route consistently or has done so many times.

Other levels of dissociation can be less common and more complex and difficult for a person to experience because the dissociation itself is the brain’s way of helping the individual to survive and stay safe. So, long story short, dissociation is the brain’s defense mechanism when it perceives consistent threat and danger.

This type of dissociation is often caused by physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, and/or abandonment. It’s uncommon for the dissociation to begin after one encounter, but it can still happen; however, it is typical for the dissociation to begin after multiple, consistent encounters.

What Does Dissociation Look Like?

Many people wonder what dissociation can look like, especially since Hollywood-style movies tend to portray it in a scary, horrific type of way. There is oftentimes the misconception that people with dissociative disorders and people who dissociate are dangerous and can “split” and harm people. As I’ve mentioned in a previous blog post, this is very far from the truth because individuals with dissociative disorders don’t typically harm others, as they are the ones who have been harmed.

This can sometimes take the form of depersonalization or derealization or a form of both.

Depersonalization

Depersonalization typically is where the individual feels detached from their own body, thoughts, or emotions. Oftentimes, they say or think things such as, “I feel unreal,” “I feel like I’m watching myself,” or “I’m on autopilot.” When a person is experiencing depersonalization, they feel like their body or actions are foreign, numb, or robotic.

Derealization

Derealization is more about the environment around them, such as the individual’s surroundings feel strange, unreal, distant, or dreamlike. It is typical that objects seem distorted, foggy, flat, or visually “off.” People who experience derealization often feel like the world around them is fake or like a movie.

Hope

If you’ve experienced anything listed regarding dissociation, depersonalization, or derealization, just know that you’re not alone. There are many individuals throughout the community who experience these things and healing is a possibility and can be a reality for you. Just because you may dissociate at times, depersonalize, or derealize, it doesn’t mean that you’re broken, it means that your brain and nervous system are trying to cope with something that feels inherently unsafe for whatever reason.

Trauma therapy can be a helpful first step in identifying what it is that’s triggering the dissociation, depersonalization, and/or derealization, and many individuals find Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) and neurofeedback helpful in the process.

Always know that there is hope. You are capable of and worthy of healing.