How to Deal with Dissociation as a Reaction to Trauma

Dissociation is an experience where your attention and emotions are disconnected from the present moment. It is like you are here but your emotions and attention are elsewhere. This is an experience and a general concept. In a previous video, I discussed depersonalization. These are dissociative experiences. You may feel disconnected or detached from yourself when you use depersonalization. You feel detached from your environment when you experience derealization. It may seem like you are in another room or that the environment is not real.

This is what happens when you are in a car accident and smell the burning rubber on your tires. You will then think that you can smell the rubber every time you ride in a car.

This is an example dissociative experience that you might have following a trauma event. Sometimes, you may be able to dissociate after a trauma event. This could be your mind’s way to protect you from an unsolvable situation.

This happens when you are unable to escape from physical or sexual trauma. Your brain reduces your pain response and numbs you emotionally to make it easier to endure the attack. Your mind may allow you to travel to another place so that you feel like you’re not there.

This type of reaction can help you get through a trauma experience. Sometimes, however, dissociation can be used as a defense mechanism in situations unrelated to trauma.

You can feel disconnected or numb when you are reminded of trauma. Even if you were not aware of it, this trigger could cause you to feel disconnected. It is possible to feel empty all the while not knowing why.

Your body can recall trauma through smells and sounds. However, you may not always understand why your anxiety is. The fragmented memories may flood back when you touch, hear or see them.

Anxiety can also trigger a dissociative state. Let’s suppose you are under too much stress at work. Because of the stress at work, it can be difficult to relate to others. You may withdraw from coworkers because you feel unwelcome and like a stranger.

What can you do? Trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy, prolonged exposure, as well as eye movement desensitization, reprocessing, are the best options.

Grounding techniques are one way to self-help.
Grounding techniques help you to return your awareness to the moment when you are safe. It is like refocusing and getting your bearings. Either sensory grounding, or cognitive grounding can be used. Sensory grounding relies on your five senses to bring back the present moment. Cognitive grounding uses your thoughts and feelings to remind you that you are in a safe place.

Sensory grounding exercises
The 5-4-2-3-1 sensory exercise.
Grounding scents can help bring your attention back into the present.
Keep a small, sensory-grounding object in your bag.
Apply cold water to your neck and face.

Cognitive grounding exercises:
Be confident in your safety.
Be aware of the time and place you are in.
Recite a comforting quote or saying.
Use coping statements such as “I can handle this”, “My situation is much better now,” etc.

You want to learn more about mental health, self-improvement and other topics? On this channel I discuss topics such as bipolar disorder, major depression, anxiety disorders, attention deficit disorder (ADHD), relationships and personal development/self-improvement. I upload weekly. Click here to subscribe if you don’t wish to miss a video.

Disclaimer: The information contained on this channel is intended for education purposes only and does not constitute specific/personal medical advice. The videos and the answers to questions/comments do not create a doctor-patient relationship. These videos may be helpful for you if you are a patient of your own doctor.

https://medbusiness.net/how-to-deal-with-dissociation-as-a-reaction-to-trauma/

Edit Feb 2022: the ever-so requested update video is up now:

Another edit: I take vyvanse. Idk why I didn’t mention that

Being told I had ADHD at 19 years old was unexpected on my end. Maybe if you've seen my videos before not so much....



Correction from the video: I mentioned three 'varieties' of ADHD: these are more just different ways it presents, not actually different forms of ADHD

anyhow, I feel joy now. SO that's good. If you need help, please reach out to someone or a program you can trust :)

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