Treating Dissociation

Dissociative disorders are a group of mental health conditions characterized by disruptions in a person’s sense of identity, memory, or consciousness. Dissociation is a normal response to stress, trauma, or overwhelming emotions, but in dissociative disorders, it becomes chronic and can interfere with daily functioning. Dissociative disorders can manifest in several ways, including dissociative amnesia, dissociative identity disorder, and depersonalization/derealization disorder. Symptoms of dissociative disorders can vary, but commonly include memory loss, feeling disconnected from one’s thoughts, feelings, or surroundings, and experiencing flashbacks or nightmares. The causes of dissociative disorders are not yet fully understood, but they are often linked to traumatic experiences, such as childhood abuse or neglect.