****I am not a doctor, and I am not giving diagnoses for different disorders by any means, I am bringing awareness to the basics of what disassociation could look like for different people. Everyone’s experiences in life vary vastly but with my input and general things to look out for if you’re experiencing certain mental health struggles and recognize that you may be feeling similar or struggling with your emotions due to specific events; please reach out to your doctor or any of the resources or hotlines that you can find below on this page.****
What is Trauma? It is an emotional or physical response to something distressing, frightening, life-threatening or an event that happened to you. It overwhelms a person’s ability to cope. Psychological trauma leaves long-lasting, negative effects on how a person functions, their mental well-being and their ability to view the world as a safe place.
***Types of traumas include: Acute Trauma– results from a single, short-term event like a car crash or a natural disaster. Chronic Trauma– stems from repeated, prolonged exposure to distressing events/circumstances such as abuse or bullying. Complex Trauma– involves multiple, often, inescapable traumatic events, usually of an interpersonal nature. Secondary Trauma- occurs through indirect exposure to others suffering, common in first responders. *** Common Symptoms include Emotional– fear, helplessness, shock, anger, or emotional numbness. Physical– rapid heart rate, sleep changes, fatigue, or hyperactive “fight or flight” response. Psychological– intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, or avoidance of traumas reminders.
What is disassociation? It is a mental process that causes a disconnection from your thoughts, feelings, memories, physical body, or sense of identity. It sits on a wide spectrum ranging from everyday mild detachment to severe chronic conditions. It is a natural psychological defense mechanism when you’re faced with overwhelming stress, intense trauma, or physical danger that you can’t escape. It’s a tool that your brain uses to protect you from extreme distress. Zoning out is one thing and somewhat normal but frequent and disruptive disassociation can be recognized as different disorders.
(I am not a doctor, and I am not giving diagnoses for different disorders by any means, I am bringing awareness to the basics of what disassociation could look like for different people. Everyone’s experiences in life vary vastly but with my input and general things to look out for if you’re experiencing certain mental health struggles and recognize that you may be feeling similar or struggling with your emotions due to specific events; please reach out to your doctor or any of the resources or hotlines that you can find below on this page)
- Mild Experiences: the best way to describe this is like “daydreaming” or “highway hypnosis” where you drive home without remembering the route or like you were driving at all.
- Depersonalization: this is when you are feeling as if you’re detached from your own body or like you’re watching yourself from the outside looking in, as if you were in a movie.
- Derealization: feeling like everything and the world around you isn’t real. Sort of like a dream or distorted.
- Amnesia: there are parts of your memories towards specific events, periods of time, or personal information that are like big gaps in your mind. You don’t remember them as vividly because your mind created a block to them.
RESOURCES:
- Immediate Crisis Support (Free & 24/7): *988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or Text 988 (or chat @ 988lifeline.org). *Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a crisis counselor via text. *Veterans Crisis Line: 988 and press 1 or text 838255. *Disaster Distress Helpline: Call or text 1-800-985-5990 for emotional support related to natural or human-caused disasters.
- Online Directories & Finding Care: *FindSupport.gov: *Psychology Today Therpaist Finder: search for local therapists, psychiatrists & support groups. *Mental Health America: explore screening tools & resources.
- Mindfulness & Meditation: Headspace App, Calm App, Insight Timer App
- Anxiety & CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy): MindShift CBT, Happify, Rootd
- Therapy & Professional Support: Talkspace, BetterHelp, Wysa
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