Dissociation is a mental process where a person feels disconnected or detached from their thoughts, feelings, memories, sense of identity, or surroundings. It can range from mild experiences, like daydreaming or getting absorbed in a book or driving without remembering the route, to more severe forms involving a loss of connection with reality or oneself
. It often occurs as a coping mechanism in response to overwhelming stress or trauma, helping the mind to manage difficult emotions or experiences. For example, during traumatic events, a person might feel as if they are watching themselves from outside their body or that the world around them is unreal
. Dissociation can be temporary, lasting hours or days, or more persistent, sometimes developing into dissociative disorders such as dissociative amnesia, depersonalization/derealization disorder, or dissociative identity disorder. These disorders involve more significant disruptions in memory, identity, and perception and usually require professional treatment
. In summary, dissociation is:
- A disconnection from self or environment, often involuntary
- A natural response to trauma or extreme stress
- Experienced on a spectrum from common mild episodes to severe dissociative disorders
- Sometimes a symptom of other mental health conditions like PTSD, anxiety, or borderline personality disorder
It is distinct from psychosis, as it involves detachment rather than a false perception of reality
