Q: What is an example of dissociation?

Here&#39;s an example of dissociation: A person who was just involved in a serious car accident (an example of trauma) may find that in the days following the accident, they are &quot;spacing out&quot; more than usual, getting lost in their own thoughts and not realizing that hours have gone by. They may have distressing thoughts of the accident instead of being able to focus on their daily tasks. Or, they may feel numb and unable to experience emotion after the trauma. In this case, the person may find that their dissociation fades after a few days, or they may notice that their dissociation reoccurs. When dissociation after trauma is reoccurring, it may be a sign that someone is experiencing PTSD.

Question 1

What is a dissociative episode?

Accepted Answer

A dissociative episode is a pronounced period where a person experiences dissociation. A dissociative episode may only last for a few hours or days, but for someone diagnosed with a dissociative disorder, a dissociative episode can potentially last for weeks or even months at a time.

A person who is experiencing a dissociative disorder cannot control when they dissociate or for how long, and they may not even realize they're in the midst of a dissociative episode. It's estimated that 75% of people experience at least one dissociative episode in their lives, however, only around two percent of people are diagnosed with a dissociative disorder.

Question 2

What are the signs of dissociation?

Accepted Answer

Some of the most recognizable signs of dissociation for the person experiencing it are a feeling of being disconnected from your body or surroundings.

Time may seem to pass very quickly or very slowly, and that person may be unable to experience the proper emotional reactions. They may feel as though they are watching themselves as if they're watching a movie.

To an outsider, dissociation may not always be easy to recognize. If a person seems like they're zoning out, not responding to stimuli, and have a blank expression, they may be dissociating. This is especially common after someone experiences trauma or has been diagnosed with a mental illness.

Question 3

What is an example of dissociation?

Accepted Answer

Here's an example of dissociation: A person who was just involved in a serious car accident (an example of trauma) may find that in the days following the accident, they are "spacing out" more than usual, getting lost in their own thoughts and not realizing that hours have gone by.

They may have distressing thoughts of the accident instead of being able to focus on their daily tasks. Or, they may feel numb and unable to experience emotion after the trauma. In this case, the person may find that their dissociation fades after a few days, or they may notice that their dissociation reoccurs.

When dissociation after trauma is reoccurring, it may be a sign that someone is experiencing PTSD.

Question 4

What is dissociation?

Accepted Answer

Dissociation is described as a feeling of being disconnected from yourself, your surroundings, or from reality. People may experience dissociation when they're extremely stressed out or after trauma. It can also be a symptom of a few different mental illnesses like obsessive-compulsive disorder, borderline personality disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD, and others.

For some people who experience dissociation, it feels like an out-of-body experience. They may have an altered sense of passing time, feel a sense of emotional numbness, or feel like they are a completely different person.

Dissociation can sometimes be scary, but for many people, it passes on its own, and doesn't necessarily mean that you have a mental illness. If you experience dissociation frequently, though, it could be a sign of something more serious.

What is a dissociative episode?

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