Do You Have Dissociative Disorder?

Do you have dissociative disorder? You say, "I don't even know what that is?" Have you ever been driving and suddenly realized that you have no memory of the last several miles? Or have you ever zoned out during a boring lecture, or read several pages of a book only to realize that you haven’t absorbed a word? That’s called “dissociation.” It comes from a Latin word that means “to sever association.” Dissociation is a break in your mind’s processing of information that severs connection with the world around you. It is a disconnect from your thoughts, feelings, memories, and surroundings. It affects your sense of identity and your perception of time. When dissociation happens infrequently, during monotonous tasks like driving, listening to a lecture, or reading, that is normal. However, if it goes beyond that, there is cause for concern.

Dissociative Disorder: When Dissociation Becomes Dangerous

Dissociation becomes a mental health concern if it moves from mild to severe. Severe dissociation, or dissociation disorder, is likely if:

• You frequently forget things, have memory gaps, or can’t remember how you got somewhere.

• You think you or the world aren’t real, or become absorbed in a fantasy world that seems real.

• You sometimes feel like you are a different person.

• You become emotionally numb, detached, unable to feel pain or feel little pain.

• You experience an altered sense of time (when you are) and/or place (where you are).

• You hear voices in your head.

• You have flashbacks that seem real.

• You become immobile.

• You have experienced a trauma.

• You have a mental health disorder such as schizophrenia.

Causes Of Dissociation

Severe dissociation, or dissociation disorder, can be triggered by various factors:

• Trauma

  Very often, dissociation is caused by a traumatic event. When our minds become overwhelmed by a traumatic experience beyond our ability to cope, as a survival mechanism, our brain disconnects from the experience. This makes it easier to cope with the emotions of fear, helplessness, or pain. This is helpful in the immediate situation, but the problem is that the brain stays on high alert and triggers the dissociation even in ordinary, harmless situations.

• Mental health conditions

  The most common mental health conditions that cause dissociation are schizophrenia and PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). But other conditions such as acute stress disorder, borderline personality disorder, affective disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, depression, and eating disorders can cause dissociative episodes.

• Drugs and alcohol

  Becoming inebriated with alcohol can cause a person to lose their sense of identity, time, and place. And psychedelic drugs such as psilocybin and LSD do the same.

• Hypnosis and meditation

  Hypnosis is the artificial inducement of a dissociative state. And certain meditation and mindfulness practices cause one to dissociate.

Treatment For Dissociative Disorder

The recommended treatment for dissociative disorder, especially when it is caused by trauma, is a combination of medication and psychotherapy. Psychiatrists prescribe medication; psychologists and licensed professional counselors do psychotherapy. SoulCare Counseling can work along with your psychiatrist to help you overcome your dissociative issues. If dissociation is hampering your ability to function normally, I urge you to learn more about trauma therapy, and reach out to us for a free thirty-minute consultation to get you started on the road to recovery.