The Rest of the Spectrum

Generally, dissociation is thought of as occurring on a spectrum.

Last post, I talked about the way in which we all use dissociation as a way to conserve energy or take a "mental vacation." That's one end of the spectrum. I also mentioned, however, that sometimes dissociation occurs as a defense or protective mechanism in the face of a perceived or actual threat. As we move through the spectrum, we see dissociative experiences which are more in line with trauma responses.

I think it's time for another operational definition. For the sake of our conversation here, lets define trauma as "an event or experience that, at the time of occurrence, exceeds the range of that which one believe him or herself able to manage." Implied here is the fact that trauma is a subjective experience. What may be traumatic to a child might not be to an adult. What may be traumatic to someone in America may not be to someone in Afghanistan. What may be traumatic to someone with little support network or resources may not be to someone with a network of family, friends, and professional supports. What may be traumatic to me may not be to you.

So, dissociating is one way we humans have to cope with traumatic experiences- those experiences beyond that which we believe ourselves able to manage. When something happens to us that is so bad we can't manage it in it's entirety, we may dissociate. Some trauma survivors report having checked out, fuzzed out, or blacked out at the time of the trauma. Others report feeling as though they left their body and were standing beside themselves or floating above. Some report experiencing a split of self through which one part of self experienced the trauma, but not all of self. Sometimes we dissociate an aspect of our experience but not the whole experience, for example: being able to see the trauma as it unfolds, but not hear sounds, feel somatic sensations, or experience the accompanying emotions. In these cases, the dissociation is protective. It allows our experience to be managed, to be lived through, by limiting our awareness of it. In the cases of extreme or prolonged trauma, this dissociation may be so significant that entire occurrences, events, or parts of self may become unknown.

Long after a trauma has "ended," individuals may still dissociate when they are reminded of the trauma. These reminders are called triggers. They come in many different forms. Stay tuned!!!

Katie

Why We Do It

So now that we have a working definition of dissociation, and we know that we all do it, the next logical question seems to be, "why?"

Each of us uses dissociation on a frequent basis as a way to conserve energy or take a mental break. A perfect example of this, one with which most of us will be able to identify, is that of driving home. How many of you find yourself kinda zoned out on your daily drive to and from work? How many of you have ever gotten home and thought to yourself, "wow, that was quick," and not had a coherent memory of every inch of your journey?

Or here's another one. Ever found yourself in a classroom setting, a business meeting, or even a boring conversation with a friend and felt yourself kind of fuzzing out? Maybe the speaker's voice seemed like it was getting farther away. . .Maybe your vision seemed to blur almost as if you were crossing your eyes. . . Maybe you caught yourself out in "la la land" and realized that you couldn't remember what the person you were supposed to be listening to had said last. . .

These are some examples of normal, every day dissociation. After reading these, you can probably think of more from your own experience.

Other times, dissocation occurs as a defense or protective mechanism in the face of a percieved or actual threat. This type of dissociation is more closely linked with trauma. I'll talk more about that, but am going to sign off for now. I want to keep you interested in this really interesting topic! (And plus, I think long blogs are boring :) I don't want you checkin' out on me!)

Can you share any times when you have caught yourself zoning out or dissociation as a way of conserving energy or taking a mental vacation?

All the Best,
Katie

Here We Go! Some of My Thoughts on Dissociation. . .

Wow! We're going straight for the tough questions!

On July 15th, Amber wrote, "I want to know about dissociation and it's spectrum. How does it effect different people differently? What does that look like/feel like?"

Great question! And one that does not come with a quick or easy answer! The phenomenon of dissociation has been studied for decades. The scholarly literature is riddled with leading trauma therorists, therapists, and researchers discussing and debating dissociation. Does it exist? Why does it happen? How does it start? Can it be treated? Will it ever go away? How is it dissociation different from psychosis?

So let's start with the basics. In order to discuss, we need to know what it is we're talking about. What is dissociation?

For the sake of our conversation, let's define dissociation as the lack or loss of connection with a momentary reality.

Implied in our definition is that in order to have a dissociative experience, one must first be connected to reality. This connection to reality can occur as physical sensations, emotional experiences, and thought processes including orientation to time, place, person, and situation. Then, for some reason, that connection to reality is lost. This loss can be short-lived and can return within moments, hours, days, or can be more enduring as in the case of dissociated memories of past experiences.

With me so far?

Okay, so here comes the kicker: WE ALL DO IT.

Did you know you were dissociative?

To be continued. . .

This is fun!
Katie