Disassociation

Dissociation is often described as a mental process whereby a person disconnects from their thoughts, feelings, memories, or sense of identity. The mind effectively creates a “safe space” to cope with stress or trauma, leading to symptoms that can range from mild daydreaming to severe disruptions in consciousness, such as Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), a clinically diagnosable condition.

The UK National Health Service (NHS) indicates that dissociation can affect around 2% of the population, though its prevalence may be underreported due to stigma and a lack of understanding.

Common symptoms of dissociation include feeling detached from one's body, experiencing gaps in memory, or feeling as though one is observing oneself from the outside. People may encounter significant difficulty in recalling personal information or entire events during which they dissociated, hindering their daily functioning. A way of understanding these experiences is as coping mechanisms for people struggling to deal with things that are seriously affecting them, often trauma.

Treatment for dissociation is often a multidisciplinary approach, encompassing psychotherapy, cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), and other forms of trauma-informed care. Skill-building in grounding techniques and mindfulness practices can significantly improve the individual’s ability to stay connected to the present moment. In some cases, medication may be prescribed to address related symptoms such as anxiety or depression, but therapy remains the main treatment avenue currently.

Further information and resources

• NHS: Dissociation
• Mind UK
• The Dissociative Disorders Alliance

Recommended books

• "The Body Keeps the Score" by Bessel van der Kolk – Written by an expert on traumatic stress, this pioneering book takes a radical new approach to understanding and treating trauma and its impact, moving away from traditional talking therapies and medication to a more holistic, integrated approach.
• ‍“Our House: Making Sense of Dissociative Identity disorder” by Lindsay Schofield (author) and Cassie Herschel-Shorland (illustrator) - A beautiful picture book that tells the story of a child who goes through trauma, and how they cope with the impact with the help of those around them. With a gentle, thoughtful approach, this book is helpful for people of any age when trying to make sense of the complexities of trauma and DID
• “Understanding Dissociative Identity Disorder: A Guidebook for Survivors and Practitioners” by Lindsay Schofield (author) and Cassie Herschel-Shorland (illustrator) - An accessible, instructive guide to childhood trauma with a focus on dissociation and DID, designed to complement Our House (see above). Including practical exercises and discussion points to boost wider understanding of the conditions.