![]() When you dissociate, you may feel disconnected from yourself and from the world around you. How can I tell if I’m experiencing dissociation? Trauma can actually change the structure and function of the brain, so it’s no wonder that we feel strong mental and physical sensations related to it. Dissociation might occur when you encounter a situation or object that reminds your nervous system - consciously or subconsciously - of the trauma. While dissociation is a helpful strategy at the time, it can also arise long after the trauma is over, causing problems in your daily life. This is a similar survival response to a mouse “playing dead” when caught by a cat to increase its chances of getting out of there alive. Because there aren’t any other options available, you essentially sever contact between your brain and body in order to survive the experience. “If fight-or-flight is not a viable option or if fight-or-flight becomes inactive due to the body feeling overwhelmed, the freeze response is activated.”Īccording to Mauro, it’s during the “freeze response” that you can experience disconnect. “During traumatic experiences, the fight-or-flight is activated in order to protect the individual,” she explains. “Dissociation is part of the fight-or-flight response, which is an involuntary survival network that helps protect us from threats or danger,” says Sabina Mauro, PsyD, who specializes in treating patients living with trauma in Yardley, Pennsylvania. When a horrific event happens, your nervous system kicks in to protect you from mental and physical pain. Dissociation can be a critical part of your survival instinct during trauma. ![]() Trauma is, by definition, an overwhelming emotional response to a horrific event.
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