Dissociation

Dissociation is a process where an individual's thoughts, feelings, sensations, and sense of identity become separated from each other, leading to a disconnection from reality. It can occur in response to traumatic or overwhelming experiences and can manifest in various ways such as depersonalization, derealization, amnesia, and the experience of feeling detached from oneself.

Symptoms:

• Do you feel like you are not fully present in your own life?

• Do you experience gaps in your memory?

• Do you feel like you are watching yourself from the outside?

• Do you feel like you are in a dream-like state or detached from your own body?

• Do you have difficulty with basic self-care or organizing your life?

Causes:

• Dissociation can be caused by traumatic experiences such as physical or sexual abuse, combat, or natural disasters.

• It can also occur in response to ongoing stress or neglect and can be a symptom of other mental health conditions such as PTSD, Borderline Personality Disorder, and Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD).

Treatments:

• Treatment for dissociation typically involves therapy, and specifically, it can be treated using EMDR, Trauma-Focused CBT, and Internal Family Systems (IFS).

• In therapy, the therapist will work with the individual to help them understand and manage the different parts of themselves that can be in conflict, and help them to understand and heal the different parts of themselves by providing them with tools to help them understand and manage their emotional states

• Medications may also be prescribed to help with symptoms of dissociation, but it should be used as a supportive treatment and not as a sole treatment.

Dissociation can be a difficult and complex experience, but with the help of a trained therapist, individuals can learn how to manage their symptoms and improve their overall well-being. 

At Global Therapy Inc., our experienced therapists are trained to work with individuals experiencing dissociation and can help you to understand and manage your symptoms. 

Book an appointment and start on your journey to better mental health.