Dissociation 101

[BloomInWinter]

This article was extremely helpful to me.

"Dissociation is a survival mechanism

Dissociation is a state.1 It's a protective mechanism called up by the nervous system when it reaches its maximum capacity to process stimulation (both internally and externally).

Imagine having to interact with people all day and by the end of the day you can't speak another word. You go home to regroup, anxious to get into your latest book. But you can't concentrate. You keep "floating" away into a thoughtless and timeless void. Oddly enough, your favourite book seems boring.

Dissociation caps the keyed up and restless energy underneath. It numbs the body so that one feels less internal distress. It's a good temporary back up plan devised by nature for coping when we feel overwhelmed. But it has its drawbacks."

Source: [DLMURL]http://www.myshrink.com/counseling-theory.php?t_id=13[/DLMURL]

Am trying so hard to both identify and get out of dissociation. It's really impeding my therapy.

 

[BloomInWinter]

Here's another resource...freaks me out how true it is for me...

"Dissociation is the predominant defense present in multiple personality disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and schizoid disorder. It is also found in many less pronounced disorders, often masked by anxiety or depression. The presence of dissociation is a highly reliable indicator of previous mental, physical, and/or sexual abuse. In some cases dissociation is a reaction to early abandonment, severe sustained pain, near-death experiences, and/or prolonged neglect. These overwhelming experiences, usually, but not always, in childhood, threaten the cognitive and emotional stability and physical security, if not the life, of the individual.


Psychological defenses protect against the pain of overwhelming stimuli, unmet needs, and unexpressed emotions. In order to get on with life and to adapt as well as possible, many people keep these needs, feelings, and traumatic memories out of awareness. This results in a fixation of defenses—the habitual maintenance today of patterns of coping and psychological defense that were necessary at a previous time. These fixated defenses interrupt an individual’s ability to be contactful both internally with self and externally with others. It is because of the fixation of contact-interrupting defenses that traumatic experiences remain dissociated as separate states of the ego or self rather than being integrated into a here-and-now whole—a neopsychic ego."

Source: http://www.integrativetherapy.com/en/articles.php?id=28

 

[Nighthawk]

This says it all. Thank you for the information. This really does explain a lot to me.

NH

 

[MissMacD]

I have been doing this for at least 22 of my 27 years, and just found out that I was doing it last week :(

 

[BloomInWinter]

I'm learning how much dissociation has Impoverished my life and...a whole new deep ravine of grief has opened up.

*Sorrow*

 

[snugglepuss]

(((((((((((((hugest hugs on earth to BloomInWinter)))))))))))))))

i have been dissociating for years. Didn't know what it was until I started counselling. I have very vivid memories of viewing abuse from outside my body. I guess that is more a flashback thing.

Having learned some good grounding techniques means I don't do it as often, but I am discovering that there are a lot of times where I don't realize that I am dissociated.

 

[BloomInWinter]

I have been doing this for at least 22 of my 27 years, and just found out that I was doing it last week :(

Not like as in Liking your pain, but like as in...I share your experience & honor your willingness to share your humanity.

(((MissMacD)))))

 

[blueangel371115]

I've done it. Now how to make others understand 'why'. I've lost friends because of it.

 

[SAM1029]

I have been dealing with the dissociative component of PTSD for a few years now. It has not been a particularly pleasant experience, either. I had honestly thought that the symptoms I had been experiencing were from drug abuse, so I quit smoking for a good year and a half and even 6 months in I still felt like I was walking in a daze. I have now come to realize that this is a symptom of a greatly protracted bout of PTSD. I'll toss in my 2 cents of observation and say that the only time the 'fog' seems to lift is if I am either under the influence of a mind altering substance, or EXTREMELY ANGRY, as in, I am getting an adrenaline high. Come to think of it, it appears to fundamentally be any mood altering substance (whether foreign, or naturally made like adrenaline) will snap me out of it for a while, but as soon as that wears off, the fog rolls back in. I hope that with your revelation you can start some sort of recovery process and restore sanity to your life! :)

 

[MissMacD]

I don't know how I manage to deal with my dissociation sober sometimes. Its been only the past few years that I could deal with it sober.

 

[Abstract]

Hi Bloom,
Thanks for the information. I am sorry this has impoverished your life. Understanding opens doors.
I am also just coming to realise the affect dissociation has had on my life and feel like I am in moarning. I understand your referance to grief. I actually feel in shock about the realisations let alone anything else. I am slowly coming to terms with my new reality. It is as if a kaleidoscope has been turned and thousands of pieces are re aligning themselves in my mind.

MissMacD, I have been doing this for thirty nine odd years and have only fully figured it out in the last two weeks. Was very judgmental about that at first but am accepting it more now. Sorry for you it has taken so long but it is comforting to hear I am not the only one who was so disconnected from myself that I was even unaware I dissociated and never thought to question it. :-/

 

[Brontie]

BloomInWinter,

Don't let it freak you out. It's true that dissociation can be the result of many other conditions but, in my personal opinion, it's not a bad thing. As scary as it can be while it's happening, the intensity usually depends on your reaction to it. The more information you have the calmer your reaction. Anthony is correct when he says there is so much rubbish written about dissociation. On the whole, it's the better of two evils. It's one of many coping mechanism your brain can come up with in order to keep you alive. Survival is your mind's priority.