Dissociation is a mental process where people feel disconnected from their own thoughts, emotions and bodies and from others around them. For some, this can be a frightening experience. Some people describe dissociation like feeling detached from their own body and feelings like if they belonged to someone else or feeling that the world around them is not real.
These are some of the symptoms of dissociation:
Amnesia – Not remembering things that happened to you and having memory gaps.
Depersonalisation – Feeling detached from your body.
Derealisation – Feeling that the world around you is not real.
Dissociation is a natural response to trauma, it is a way that the mind uses to cope with overwhelming stress. In many cases, this resolves spontaneously, however some people may develop a dissociative disorder that requires treatment. People with traumatic childhood are more likely to develop a dissociative disorder.
Dissociation can be treated with a combination of different approaches, including Sensorimotor Psychotherapy that helps clients restore a connection with their bodies.
