Do you feel disconnected from your own life? Does the world sometimes seem unreal or distorted? Experiences like this are called dissociation. Dissociation can be a symptom of conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, it is not necessarily indicative of a particular mental health condition. Someone without any mental health diagnosis may still experience dissociative episodes. 

What is dissociation?

Dissociation is a mental process that alters how your mind digests information. When you dissociate, you might feel a disconnection from your thoughts and feelings. You may feel distanced from your memories and sense of identity, as if you are an outside observer. Dissociation often occurs when a person is feeling overwhelmed. This typically happens during a traumatic event or when overwhelmed by stress.

Different people often perceive dissociation in different ways. It’s a spectrum, which can range from mild, everyday experiences to more severe dissociative disorders. If you’re not sure whether you’re experiencing dissociation, it can help to learn more about the key elements that people often experience. A major part of dissociation is a feeling of pervasive disconnectedness. When dissociating, you may feel as though you are outside your body. You may also notice distortions in your perception of time. Five minutes might feel like an hour or vice versa. In some cases, people who dissociate also experience gaps in time. After dissociating, you may have some gaps in your memory of the episode.

A dissociative episode can happen to anyone, but they’re more common for people with existing mental health conditions. For example, one study found that almost 15% of people with PTSD experience dissociative symptoms. These symptoms are often triggered by hostile, traumatizing situations. In these situations, dissociation is a way for the mind to escape. When everything that is happening around you becomes overwhelming, dissociation dulls the stimuli. While dissociation is a natural response in some situations, it can also have many negative effects. If you experience persistent dissociative episodes, it’s important to seek help.

Factors often related to dissociation

Dissociation doesn’t have a single cause. If you are experiencing dissociation, there might be multiple different factors behind your symptoms. Common factors include traumatic experiences, stressful time periods and mental health conditions. With this guide, you can learn more about what might be leading to your dissociation:

• Past trauma — The effects of trauma can linger. Even if you’re not currently going through a traumatic event, old trauma can lead to dissociation. According to a study, there is a robust correlation between dissociative symptoms and exposure to trauma, particularly early childhood trauma and disruptions in attachment and caregiving. Experiencing neglect and abuse as a child can lead to dissociative symptoms into adulthood. If your dissociation is connected to childhood trauma, treatments like psychotherapy can be highly beneficial. A clinical therapist can help you process trauma and develop healthy coping mechanisms.
• Severe stress — High levels of stress are a common trigger for dissociation. Being stressed is tough on the brain. When you’re stressed out, your mind will look for ways to get relief, including shutting down. Do you want to get help managing your stress? A mental health treatment program can be a great resource. With support and guidance from mental health professionals, you can find ways to keep your stress managed and avoid dissociation.
• Existing mental health conditions — Dissociation can be a symptom of a number of different mental health disorders. It’s especially common for people with PTSD or dissociative disorders. In addition to PTSD, dissociation is often a symptom of other trauma-related disorders. Though not a core symptom of these conditions, dissociation can also occur in people with bipolar disorder, anxiety and depression. In many cases, dissociation is a way to cope with other mental health symptoms. It can be a natural part of the human response to stress. If you have generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), for example, intense fear and worry may cause you to dissociate. If you think your dissociation might be related to an existing mental health condition, professional intervention is crucial. A licensed therapist can work to identify your condition and provide mental health treatment tailored to your needs. By addressing the underlying mental health disorder, you can experience lasting relief from dissociative symptoms.

Lightfully can help you address your dissociation

At Lightfully Behavioral Health, we’re committed to helping our clients make strides toward long-term mental wellness. Our treatment framework consists of evidence-based, clearly defined, data-driven and whole-person-centered care. With help from our dedicated experts, you can identify the factors behind your mental health symptoms and find a solution.

Change is possible. When you’re ready to take the first step toward processing your trauma and addressing your dissociation, reach out to us. We’ll take the next steps together, toward the fullest, brightest version of you.