Dissociation
This is a change in consciousness. It includes daydreaming and often does not cause great difficulties. However, some people lose time, when their mind switches off from their conscious mind. This may happen when they encounter traumatic triggers or otherwise become overly stressed. In these situations, the dissociation often acts like a "circuit breaker" when the emotional circuit is overloaded. People may have experiences like "spacing out," losing time, or feeling little (young).
At the more severe end is Dissociative Identity Disorder, previously known as multiple personality disorder. There are not different personalities, per se, rather, there are parts of the individual that generally handle specific emotions, situations, etc. Chronic dissociation almost always suggests a prior history of severe trauma and indicates a need for counseling with someone trained to help deal with the trauma(s). One can work on focusing on tangible things when they feel this coming on.
People who frequently dissociate need to learn coping skills to tolerate feelings and otherwise feeling overwhelmed. Often, imagery exercises where one can put the abuse memories in a container of some sort helps give the person increasing control and have less need to dissociate. See the link for grounding below for more self-help strategies.
People sometimes want to remember all the traumatic memories all at once. This is guaranteed to be overwhelming and causing more dissociation. When there is a lot of dissociation, it is better to go too slow than too fast.
Frequent dissociation indicates a need for counseling with someone who recognizes dissociation and has the skills to deal with it. Unfortunately, some may have seen a number of therapists over years and dissociation was never revealed by the client or discovered by the therapist.
Grounding and stabilization
Sidran Foundation
Copyright © 2008 - 2010. Michael Miller. All rights reserved.
This is a change in consciousness. It includes daydreaming and often does not cause great difficulties. However, some people lose time, when their mind switches off from their conscious mind. This may happen when they encounter traumatic triggers or otherwise become overly stressed. In these situations, the dissociation often acts like a "circuit breaker" when the emotional circuit is overloaded. People may have experiences like "spacing out," losing time, or feeling little (young).
At the more severe end is Dissociative Identity Disorder, previously known as multiple personality disorder. There are not different personalities, per se, rather, there are parts of the individual that generally handle specific emotions, situations, etc. Chronic dissociation almost always suggests a prior history of severe trauma and indicates a need for counseling with someone trained to help deal with the trauma(s). One can work on focusing on tangible things when they feel this coming on.
People who frequently dissociate need to learn coping skills to tolerate feelings and otherwise feeling overwhelmed. Often, imagery exercises where one can put the abuse memories in a container of some sort helps give the person increasing control and have less need to dissociate. See the link for grounding below for more self-help strategies.
People sometimes want to remember all the traumatic memories all at once. This is guaranteed to be overwhelming and causing more dissociation. When there is a lot of dissociation, it is better to go too slow than too fast.
Frequent dissociation indicates a need for counseling with someone who recognizes dissociation and has the skills to deal with it. Unfortunately, some may have seen a number of therapists over years and dissociation was never revealed by the client or discovered by the therapist.
Grounding and stabilization
Sidran Foundation
Copyright © 2008 - 2010. Michael Miller. All rights reserved.
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Phone: (216) 520-5969
Fax: (216) 520-5098
drmike@drmikemiller.com
6133 Rockside Rd.
Suite 207
Independence, OH 44131
20525 Center Ridge Rd. Suite 615
Rocky River, OH 44116
Fax: (216) 520-5098
drmike@drmikemiller.com
6133 Rockside Rd.
Suite 207
Independence, OH 44131
20525 Center Ridge Rd. Suite 615
Rocky River, OH 44116
