The Psychology of your 20s 342. The psychology of dissociation
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Oct 14, 2025 Discover the intriguing world of dissociation, a unique psychological experience that can feel both protective and unsettling. Explore the science behind why we sometimes feel detached from reality and how this survival mechanism relates to trauma and ADHD. Learn practical strategies to ground yourself when feeling out of touch, including movement and sensory anchors. With insights into neuroimaging findings and calming reminders, this discussion offers a deeper understanding of how to navigate moments of dissociation.
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What Dissociation Actually Is
- Dissociation is a disruption in how consciousness, memory, identity, emotion and perception integrate.
- It often protects the psyche by avoiding overwhelming emotional information.
Dissociation Is A Spectrum
- Dissociation exists on a spectrum from common 'highway hypnosis' to rare dissociative identity disorder.
- Most people experience everyday dissociation like zoning out under stress, not extreme personality splits.
Dissociation As A Shutdown Response
- Dissociation links to the freeze/shutdown pathway in polyvagal theory when fight or flight aren't possible.
- The dorsal vagal response narrows awareness and lowers heart rate as a protective shutdown.