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Someone I Love Is Experiencing Dissociation: How Can I Help?

Someone I Love Is Experiencing Dissociation: How Can I Help?

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Watching a loved one go through a mental health crisis or learn to manage a new diagnosis can be challenging. You want to help but may not know how. Unfortunately, someone struggling with a mental illness, such as dissociation disorder, must be willing and open to help. If not, the assistance will not fix anything. However, if your loved one has asked for help or is open to it, there are ways you can encourage and help them while they learn to manage their dissociation.

What Is Dissociation?

Your mind and body may do things without your conscious realization to protect you. This usually happens in moments of severe trauma. Dissociation is one of those steps your brain takes. When someone is dissociating, they disconnect from their thoughts, feeling, memories, or sense of identity.

The Range of Dissociation Disorders

While a person can dissociate to protect themselves, some people with severe trauma may develop one of three dissociative disorders. It is essential to be educated on what your loved one is experiencing if you want to provide help. 

Dissociative Amnesia

With dissociative amnesia, a person realizes they are experiencing a lapse in memory. However, the event was so traumatic or stressful that the person dissociates. This can cause memory loss for days, weeks, and sometimes years. Dissociative amnesia can cause patchy memories, trouble remembering entire life events, and specific memory loss, like a person or year.

Depersonalization-Derealization Disorder

When someone has this type of dissociative disorder, they report feeling detached from their own life. People may feel like they do not know or recognize themselves. This can cause further issues engaging in their lives. Someone with depersonalization-derealization disorder may struggle with concentrating and memory retention.

Dissociative Identity Disorder

Previously known as multiple personality disorder, dissociative identity disorder (DID) is where someone develops one or more identities or personalities. However, dissociative identity is more accurate to what occurs for a person with DID.

A person with multiple identities may switch between them involuntarily. They can have different characters, ways of acting, or body movement. DID is the body’s way of coping with extreme trauma. When a person switches from one identity to another, it protects the first identity from having to experience or remember the event. 

Tips for Helping a Loved One With Dissociation

If someone is experiencing dissociation, that can be a sign of a deeper issue. Dissociation symptoms, in some cases, mimic depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or DID. Encouraging your loved one to seek treatment may be the best option. However, there are small things you can do to help.

Grounding Techniques

An aspect of dissociation is a disconnection from reality. It can therefore be helpful for the person to practice grounding techniques or coping skills. The purpose of grounding techniques is to help a person connect back to the physical world. This can help them reconnect their mind to the present. 

Examples of grounding techniques include the following: 

  • Sitting outside with the person, legs in the grass or on concrete, putting pressure on or massaging their hands
  • Having the person sit on a chair, feet flat on the ground, hands flat on thighs, and put mild pressure onto their shoulders
  • Mental games or puzzles, such as counting, reciting something, describing objects, or describing objects around the person 

Decrease Stressors

Increases in stress can cause a person to dissociate. Help your loved one to lessen the frequency of dissociation by finding ways to decrease stressors. You can do small things or help them with the thing that causes extreme anxiety, such as grocery shopping. Also, allowing them room to make mistakes or not be present is important in alleviating stress. 

Let Them Complete Tasks by Themselves

Since an aspect of dissociative disorders is a lack of identity or connection to themselves, you can help a loved one by encouraging them to do things for themselves. This can help them be more in the present. These do not have to be difficult tasks, but smaller ones, like caring for their living area. 

Treatment Programs That Help With Dissociation

Encouraging a loved one to seek treatment may include helping them research treatment options. There are many programs and facilities out there, and it can be hard to know which one to choose. Alter Behavioral Health is an excellent place to start. Depending on your loved ones’ needs or disorders, there are two avenues they can take.

Inpatient

While in inpatient programs, a person will work on building trust between them and their therapist and treatment team. With trust, they can work together to identify sources of trauma and stabilize emotions. Having healthy, consistent meals, rest, physical care, and overall wellness allow a person to focus on healing while still getting all their needs met. 

The Irvine residential program provides consistent monitoring. This is another benefit, as someone who struggles with dissociation or a dissociative disorder may also engage in self-harm. Alter Behavioral Health helps a person plan and stick to a plan of safety.

Outpatient

Some trauma can stick with you for life. Ongoing care, with psychotherapy and medication management, can be found in the outpatient program at Alter Behavioral Health, located in Laguna Beach. 

Outpatient treatment is designed to support a person with their symptoms while living their lives. To combat regression, retraumatization, or stressors inducing disorder symptoms, continued outpatient treatment can be extremely beneficial. Facilities offer different options for outpatient treatment, usually combining a couple of hours of group therapy and individual therapy sessions. This support lasts for as long as the person needs to heal. 

Are you struggling with knowing where to start with mental health treatment? Does it feel like all of the facilities promise the same outcomes? With Alter Behavioral Health, there are no false promises but achievable outcomes. Through highly structured clinical programs, evidence-based interventions, and a focus on maintaining and improving functioning abilities, you receive the help you specifically need. At Alter Behavioral Health, our compassionate team is waiting for you and your loved ones to lean on. No one should have to manage a mental health disorder alone. Our team is here for you. Contact us today at (866) 691-4386 to start the conversation. Let our team welcome you and help you start working towards your goals.

What Is Dissociation?

What Is Dissociation?

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When faced with an excessive amount of worry or stress, the mind can have a difficult time coping. This level of stress may result in dissociation. The National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI) defines dissociative disorders as a category of mental illness “characterized by an involuntary escape from reality characterized by a disconnection between thoughts, identity, consciousness and memory.”

While an estimated 75% of people experience a dissociative moment in their lifetime, only 2% meet the criteria for their dissociative episodes to be considered a chronic issue. Dissociation has been previously believed to be more common in women. However, recent studies suggest otherwise. One study postulates that men only appear as a lesser number due to their unlikeliness to seek help. It states that men with dissociation are more likely to end up in the legal system rather than the health system.

What Are the Causes and Symptoms of Dissociation?

Similar to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), dissociation is caused by exposure to a traumatic event. Whether witnessing a terrifying and traumatic event or experiencing it directly, the mind uses dissociative episodes as a way to cope. Some examples of trauma can include combat trauma, sexual or physical assault, and natural disasters.

There are many symptoms involved in an episode of dissociation but they can differ depending on the type. Any added stress or worry can worsen episodes, causing the individual to face challenges functioning in day-to-day activities. While the symptoms experienced in dissociation vary, they all share a few similar traits. These include:

  • Out-of-body experiences, where individuals may feel like they are watching a movie of themselves
  • Emotional numbness, where individuals are detached from personal emotions
  • Depressive symptoms, potentially developing into major depressive disorder (MDD)
  • Development of anxiety or anxiety disorders
  • Increased risk of suicidal thoughts or tendencies
  • Significant memory loss due to dissociative episodes
  • Losing a sense of self, which can result in a lack of personal identity
  • Feeling little to no pain
  • Having multiple personalities or identities

The symptoms involved in dissociation, when left untreated, can make life challenging. They can affect an individual’s day-to-day life, interrupt work responsibilities, and even put a strain on familial relationships.

Types of Dissociation

There are three main types of dissociation. Proper diagnosis is necessary for receiving the correct care for each different type.

Depersonalization/Derealisation Disorder

The International Classification of Diseases (ICD) defines depersonalization/derealization disorder as being “characterized by persistent or recurrent experiences of depersonalization, derealization, or both. Depersonalization refers to the experience of feeling detached from, and as if one is an outside observer of, one’s mental processes, body, or actions. Derealization refers to the experience of feeling detached from, and as if one is an outside observer of, one’s surroundings.”

In short, with this disorder, one experiences themselves or their surroundings as if they were watching them, rather than being in them.

Dissociative Amnesia

This disorder is characterized by recurrent memory gaps. These losses usually include personal or important details and information. The individual loses these details and is unable to recall them. In most circumstances, memory gaps surround a traumatic or stressful situation. This disorder is often associated with underlying personality disorders.

Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)

Formerly referred to as multiple personality disorder, this type of dissociation includes the amnesia symptoms found in the previous type. This disorder is set apart by the fact that the individual has multiple identities. A person may experience multiple voices in their head trying to take over. Each voice might have names with distinct personalities and mannerisms.

Some coping methods work well for managing dissociation when paired with treatment. The most successful and recommended addition to treatment is practicing mindfulness.

The Value of Mindfulness for Navigating Dissociation

One study states being mindful is “becoming aware and nonjudgmentally accepting toward the present moment experiences.” It goes on to explain how this is contradictory to the state of experiential avoidance seen among patients with dissociative disorders. With mindfulness, an individual can predict and control dissociation by building awareness of their dissociative process.

Another study found that mindfulness reduces the tendency for avoidance, resulting in less need for dissociation. It also states that mindfulness gives individuals specific techniques for improving the prediction and control over dissociation. This is done through building awareness of dissociative processes and offering tools for staying in the current moment.

What Are Some Mindful Activities?

While treatment is the best and most important aspect of healing, there are several mindful tasks and habits individuals can perform to help manage dissociation. Begin with breathing deeply in a slow pattern. This will help lower their heart rate and help them focus on listening to the happenings around them. They can also place their bare feet on the ground as a way to ground themselves.

Utilizing sensory activities can significantly help the effects of dissociative symptoms by making individuals ground themselves physically in the present. When paired with proper treatment, balance and self-awareness can greatly assist in finding peace within the disorder of dissociation.

When to Seek Treatment

The best news of all is the simple fact that dissociation is a treatable condition. It’s as easy as setting up a diagnosis and beginning treatment. Knowing when to seek treatment may be confusing but the answer is clear and concise. If you or a loved one are experiencing any of the aforementioned symptoms, it is important to reach out as soon as possible.

Medication and psychotherapy are the most common forms of treatment for dissociation. Therapy often consists of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) in which the patient will recount and discuss the event(s) which led to the development of the disorder. Treatment is essential to alleviate the effects of dissociation as well as achieve peace and happiness free from the challenges of this disorder.

You are worth picking up that phone and making the call to seek diagnosis and treatment for dissociative disorders. The call you’re about to make will change your life for the better. Facing dissociation is challenging but it doesn’t have to stay that way. Help is available to equip you with everything you need to face this disorder head-on. There is a whole world of wonder available to you that’s being hidden by the challenges of dissociation. At Alter Behavioral Health, we can take the blinders off your eyes and uncover the joys you deserve to experience. Call us today at (866) 691-4386 and let us guide you back to yourself and to a life of newfound happiness and peace. 

How Can Mindfulness Be Used to Manage Dissociation?

How Mindfulness Can Be Used to Manage Dissociation

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Living with dissociation can be like living in an alternate universe. You’re in a world where you struggle to remember what day it is and have difficulty staying present in conversations. Days and nights blend, leaving you feeling lost and confused.

Dissociation is a mental process where a person disconnects from their thoughts, feelings, memories, or sense of identity. The coping mechanism allows people to separate themselves from a traumatic event. Episodes are a normal response to an abnormal situation.

Symptoms of dissociation can range from mild to severe and include feeling detached from oneself, feeling numb, experiencing amnesia, or having out-of-body experiences. Dissociation can be a short-lived response to trauma or can become chronic.

It’s no secret that dissociative episodes can be disruptive and uncomfortable. People who experience physical symptoms of dissociation, such as those often associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or chronic trauma, can find themselves stuck in a cycle of negative emotions, intrusive thoughts, and anxiety. But what if there was a way for you to help yourself manage these episodes?

What Is Mindfulness?

One of the most powerful things you can do to manage dissociation is to practice mindfulness. Mindfulness brings awareness to one’s thoughts without judgment and allows us to observe thoughts and feelings without attaching any meaning. The technique helps create space between you and your ideas. You can then make more conscious choices about how you respond to them.

Mindfulness encourages us to accept our experiences without trying to change them or push them away, even when feeling overwhelmed. Mindful practices such as meditation, yoga, deep breathing techniques, and journaling can help us to stay grounded and present in the moment rather than getting lost in our heads.

In cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness is used to help individuals become more in tune with their thoughts and feelings. This connection allows people to begin to manage them more effectively. Mindfulness helps increase self-awareness and self-regulation skills when practiced regularly. These skills can greatly benefit those suffering from dissociative symptoms.

Mindful Practices vs. Dissociation

By engaging in mindfulness daily, you can proactively prepare yourself for the eventuality of an episode. The routine will help you better recognize when one is about to begin. Plus, conscious efforts will give you the tools necessary to manage the situation before you become overwhelmed.

Self-Compassion

Many people who struggle with dissociation also struggle with self-compassion. When an episode strikes, they may become frustrated and discouraged with themselves. They may even blame themselves for not coping better or faster than they have been able to so far.

Acknowledging that this is a common reaction among those who experience chronic dissociation is crucial. Taking time each day to practice self-compassion can go a long way toward helping you stay on track during challenging moments. This mental exercise can also help you manage your emotions more effectively.

Creative Expression

Creative expression is another excellent way to manage dissociative episodes. Writing stories or poetry can provide an outlet for unexpressed emotions that can otherwise feel overwhelming; creating visual art can give us a sense of control over chaos; playing music can bring moments of pure joy even when life feels too chaotic, or dancing can help us release pent-up energy quickly and safely without hurting ourselves or others around us.

You can try engaging in activities like coloring books or puzzles, which require focus and concentration but don’t necessarily cause further stress or anxiety. This will help pull your mind away from the triggers which caused the episode in the first place. Your mind can then move into a state of relaxation where the brain can heal without further disruption or distress.

Creating Structure & Routine

Creating structure and routine through daily habits is also vital for managing dissociative symptoms. This could include anything from making your bed every morning (or at least attempting to) to taking regular breaks throughout the day for self-care activities like reading a book or calling a friend for moral support.

Developing positive habits helps us build consistency in our lives. Patterns also give our days something tangible that we can look forward to doing even if everything else feels overwhelming.

Disconnecting From Dissociation

Dissociative episodes are challenging enough without worrying about how we will get through them each time they occur. However, by incorporating mindful practices into our daily lives, we can better prepare ourselves for what lies ahead. We can also learn how to deal effectively with them when they arise.

Dissociation doesn’t have to be life-interfering. We can take numerous proactive steps to manage how episodes affect our lives thanks to mindful practices, creative expression, and creating structure through regular routines and habits. With enough effort, we can all find ways to navigate this tricky terrain while keeping ourselves centered amidst the chaos around us.

Mindfulness can be an effective way to manage the symptoms of dissociation and help you lead a more peaceful life, but this method is not a cure-all. If you are experiencing dissociation and would like to explore how mindfulness can help, consider talking to a therapist. There is help available, and you don’t have to suffer in silence. Dissociation can be a symptom of underlying mental health issues, and addressing those issues with the help of a mental health professional can make a major difference. Many people experience these symptoms. Find someone who can help you through the challenges. To receive help from a qualified mental health professional, contact Alter Behavioral Health at (866) 691-4386.