Dissociation and Trauma

Have you ever driven somewhere before realizing that you don’t remember the last few minutes of the drive? You snap to, and all of a sudden, you’re pulling into your driveway, but you aren’t sure what the last mile of your drive looked like. That is a mild form of dislocation. You zoned out, and then your body’s autopilot kicked in to get you safely home.

Dissociation varies widely and is a spectrum. There are mild and healthy forms of dissociation, such as daydreaming or getting lost in thought. But when mixed with trauma, dissociation can present as a form of survival. 

Dissociation is a disconnection between individuals and their thoughts, feelings, and bodies. 

In healthier forms, you might have a brief disconnection that then restarts. Think about adrenaline-fueled events. Someone going on a roller coaster for the first time might feel shakey and almost like they’re not in their body for a minute, but then as the adrenaline and stress subside, their body naturally kicks back in, and they get a rush of endorphins. 

But what happens if the event is too stressful or traumatic and their body doesn’t kick back in on time? That’s trauma-fueled dissociation. Then, their body and mind stay disconnected until they can calm down. 

It can also happen in PTSD or CPTSD when your body is reminded of a traumatic event in the past. Hearing sounds, smelling certain smells, or even stress can cause the body to go into dissociation, even if the body is currently safe. 

Dissociation doesn’t just look like freezing or zoning out.

Dissociation can last for long periods, often involving impaired memory for years. Many survivors of childhood abuse do not remember the years of their childhood. This is a form of dissociation.

At the most severe end of the spectrum, dissociation can present as a dissociative disorder. 

The three main types of Dissociative Disorders are:

• Dissociative amnesia – forgetting large pieces of time and personal facts.
• Derealization / Depersonalization Disorder – Feeling disconnected from their body or world.
• Dissociative Identity Disorder – Having two or more personality states (alters or parts).

Dissociation significantly impacts people who have experienced trauma. It radically changes lives, yet it’s the body’s way of protecting and saving them from things that were too horrible to handle. 

Read More About CPTSD..