Dissociation: What It Means

A Spectrum, Not a Yes-or-No Black and White

Dissociation is a spectrum. Almost everyone dissociates in a mild form daily (missing a highway exit because you were lost in thought). It becomes pathological when it automatically occurs under stress and hinders a person's functioning or relationships. With severe and chronic trauma, dissociation can become a continuous background state.

In Practice

In a session, you can recognize dissociation by: a glazed look, delayed reactions, an inability to recall what was just said, a feeling of 'fading away'. Your response: don't push through it, instead, offer grounding and orienting. Feet on the ground, looking around, touching something, making eye contact. Only continue when the client is present again.

Common Misconception

The mistake is interpreting dissociation as 'uncooperative'. It's an autonomous response, often outside conscious control. Applying pressure intensifies it. Underlying this often lies a layer of trauma that isn't yet safe enough to be touched. Resource work and stabilization comes first.

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