You might be curious about some unexplainable gaps in your memory. Maybe, you’ve had some “out of body” experiences, almost as if you have seen yourself from a distance but don’t feel like you are in your body. Or, you have experienced times where the world around you seems foggy and unclear. Perhaps, you’ve noticed yourself doing things that you would normally never do and it feels familiar but not quite like you. At other times you might experience symptoms or reactions in your body that are unexplainable and seem foreign or disconnected from what is going on at the time. These are all signs that you may be experiencing dissociation.

What is Dissociation?

Dissociation is a coping tool that can help create disconnection and compartmentalization from things like your mind, body, emotions, memory, identity and even the world around you. Dissociation can help when faced with a situation that is too stressful or feels like it could be an overwhelming threat that cannot be prevented or escaped. Research shows that dissociation is common after experiencing a traumatic event. There are several ways that our bodies respond to trauma, most commonly referred to as fight-flight and freeze. Researchers identify dissociation as similar to a freeze response. In situations that cannot be controlled or escaped the next best alternative is to shut down, compartmentalize or create some sense of distance from it.  Dissociation helps create an inner distance from what would be overwhelming if experienced in full. Ultimately, it helps you survive what would otherwise be difficult to bear so that you can function as best as is possible.

Dissociation is much more common than you may think. In fact, research shows that more than 75% of adults in the United States have experienced at least one dissociative episode.  

Types of Dissociation and Dissociative Adaptations Include:

Dissociative Amnesia:

This is considered to be the most common form of dissociation. Dissociative amnesia occurs when you have gaps in your memory and can’t recall what happened during this time. The gaps can last for minutes, hours, days, or even years and usually surround a time that was intensely stressful or traumatic. It can also include having a foggy memory of what occurred. Even after the traumatic event occurred, individuals can find themselves experiencing dissociative amnesia when presented with stressful events like taking a big test or giving an important presentation and not knowing how they got through it. This is different from just being forgetful.

Dissociative Fugue:

This type of dissociation occurs when you find yourself unintentionally traveling to a different location and having a different identity or not remembering who you are, or when and how you got there.

Depersonalization and Derealization:

Depersonalization and Derealization can happen individually or together. Depersonalization is characterized by experiences of feeling detached from your body and/or emotions. Some might describe feeling as if they were floating or experiencing tunnel vision or feeling further back in their head. Some might be able to notice some of their thoughts, emotions, or details during that time or be able to observe it from a distance or through a fog Derealization is often described as when you may feel like the outside world and those around you aren’t real.

Dissociative Identity Disorder:

Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) has also been referred to as Multiple Personality Disorder. It is characterized by the presence of two or more identities. Many people have different ways that they describe this, some refer to their alternate identities as parts of self or altars. These identities have differences in memory, ways of thinking, and behaving. It’s important to remember that all dissociation is coping and has served as a helpful and necessary resource at one point in your life, this includes DID. Individuals with Dissociative Identity Disorder may also have gaps in memory and experience many of the other forms of dissociation previously mentioned.

DID initially occurs during childhood after one experiences significant and prolonged abuse. It is developed as a way to deal with the pain that is experienced and offers a means to compartmentalize aspects of the trauma(s) and the effects of those trauma(s). . Alternate identities develop unique roles and functions to help compartmentalize and also lessen the effects of trauma so that there is an ability to function in the day-to-day whether trauma is ongoing or has ceased. Someone with DID might describe an experience of switching. When switching occurs it is the transition from one identity to another identity that is perceived to be needed for the current situation. This may not be noticeable or known by some with DID or those relating to someone with DID.

Removing the Stigma Attached to Dissociation

Dissociation can be uncomfortable and quite scary if you’re not sure what you’re experiencing. It may be difficult to talk about with others because of some of the stigmas associated with mental health or dissociation. At White Rock Therapy, we seek to take away the stigmas related to dissociation. One of the ways that we do this is by referring to all forms of dissociation as adaptations rather than disorders. It is an adaptation with good intentions, even if some of the behaviors don’t seem good or particularly helpful right now. It originated as a survival skill to help you navigate extremely difficult things.

You may be noticing some current problematic ways that the skill of dissociation may also cause some unintentional harm. Perhaps it has been difficult to remember when you are in the present and that it might be very different from the past, maybe you find that you are having certain difficulties with how you are relating to someone that you love, maybe you are missing key information about the past that has accidentally put you in harm's way in the present and could have provided insight that would have helped you make some different decisions. When you become conditioned to dissociate in times of significant stress, you may begin to dissociate whenever there is a perception of threat to your wellbeing.

Our Approach to Therapy for Dissociation in Dallas, TX

In therapy for dissociation, your trauma therapist will work with you to help you navigate developing an appreciation for what different forms of dissociation have offered you, provide you with additional resources to help build more organization within, and teach you tools so that you can learn of some additional coping tools that can be available. We understand that these things need to be in place so that anything traumatic or stressful from the past can be processed well and safely. When those pieces are established your therapist is equipped and informed to help you in the processing of traumas as well. At White Rock Therapy our team uses a variety of therapeutic approaches to working alongside dissociation and treating post-traumatic stress.

Dissociation is a very normal response to trauma. It is normal to feel numb, not feel pain or sadness, not remember what happened, or feel like you just zoned out and came back. Once you understand why you’re dissociating, it can help foster appreciation and an authentic working relationship with parts of self, and reconnection with your body, mind, and emotions.

We Use Evidence-Based Therapeutic Approaches to Treat Dissociation

We will help you work through your trauma using a variety of evidence-based trauma approaches. One approach we often use in trauma work is EMDR or Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing. This approach helps clients who feel stuck in a dissociative state reprocess the trauma that originally occurred so it can be dealt with accordingly. All of our therapists have been trained in EMDR and have an advanced understanding of utilizing EMDR with those who have experienced dissociation. Other treatment approaches that we may incorporate are experiential modalities and various ego state modalities like Internal Family Systems (IFS) and Developmental Needs Meeting Strategy (DNMS).

Overall, we hope that you will feel honored and respected through the treatment process for dissociative disorders. We realize that it can be hard to accept dissociation and see it as a normative response that is helpful, but we will work with you to understand why these parts developed and how they protected you. We will also help to assist you in feeling empowered, and supported throughout your therapeutic work.

Begin Therapy for Dissociation in Dallas, TX

We’re here to help you understand your trauma and work towards a brighter future. We hope you will find caring therapists at our Dallas, TX-based therapy center who will support you in taking on your dissociation. To begin, follow these simple steps:

1. Contact White Rock Therapy

2. Meet with a caring therapist

3. Start embracing your emotions

Other Services Offered at White Rock Therapy

Therapy for dissociation is now available in Dallas, TX, Frisco, TX, virtually anywhere in Texas and virtually anywhere in New Jersey. Therapy for dissociation is not the only service we offer at our Dallas, TX-based therapy center. Other services offered at White Rock Therapy include Christian counseling, EMDR therapy, online therapy, group therapy, grief counseling, support for families of addicts, anxiety therapy, and therapy for athletes. We also offer intensives, and clinical supervision and clinical consultations for therapists. Learn more by visiting our blog today.