What's disassociation mean?

We all know that being mentally ill can be hard, but sometimes we don't quite understand exactly what happens inside our minds. You might hear people talking about having a mental illness like depression or anxiety, but then you start wondering if they're just making up words.

It turns out that there are many different types of mental illnesses, some more common than others. One type of mental disorder is known as dissociative disorders. Dissociative disorders include things like depersonalization disorder (DP) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These conditions affect your ability to remember events around traumatic experiences, such as sexual abuse or other violent crimes.

While these disorders may seem similar at first glance, they actually require very different treatment strategies. For example, while antidepressants can help with PTSD, they won't work for DP because this condition isn't caused by trauma - rather, it occurs after traumatic memories become too painful to process.

So what exactly is going on here? How do you get stuck in a memory loop where you keep reliving the same event over and over again? And what is it even like to live through an experience so harrowing that you feel completely detached from everything else around you? To answer those questions and more, let's take a closer look at what dissociation means.

What is the word for disassociate?

The English language has lots of ways to describe something happening without using its root words. We use phrases like "disconnecting" or "breaking away." But what would happen if someone were to disconnect themselves from their body entirely? What would happen if they couldn't connect to anything outside of their own mind? That's precisely what dissociation is.

When you say "I'm disconnected", you could also say "I am not connected". It doesn't matter which one you choose though, because both statements convey the exact same idea. The same goes for "I broke away", "I was distant", and so forth. They're all synonymous expressions used to talk about feeling isolated from everyone and everything else.

If you've ever had trouble connecting with anyone around you, you probably noticed that you often felt alone during times like these. Even though it feels like no one understands what you're feeling right now, most likely you will eventually connect back with them. If you want to learn more about this phenomenon, check out the articles below!

How do you disassociate yourself from reality?

Before we go any further, I'd like to mention that this article focuses mainly on clinical definitions, specifically ones related to mental health professionals. This means that terms like "breakaway" and "separate" refer only to situations in which someone is diagnosed with a mental illness.

This makes sense since mental disorders aren't always obvious. In fact, according to statistics compiled by the National Institute of Mental Health, more than 50 percent of Americans suffer from at least one mental illness each year. So if you haven't been formally diagnosed yet, it's possible that you already have a mild form of a mental disorder that hasn't manifested itself into full-blown psychosis.

To better explain what I meant earlier, let me give you another example. Let's pretend that you suddenly woke up today and found that you forgot who you are. Your name, birthday, address, phone number, and email account information are all gone. As far as you know, you have never existed before today, nor will you exist tomorrow.

Now imagine that this happened every day for several months straight. Eventually, you'll figure out that this must be due to something wrong with your brain, and you begin looking into getting treated. By the time you receive a diagnosis, however, it might be too late.

You see, you wouldn't need to forget everything about yourself to end up living in a place like this. All you really need to do is separate yourself from your surroundings enough to believe that nothing exists beyond your own head. Here are some examples of this concept in action:

Sometimes, people who are suffering from severe forms of PTSD try to avoid certain stimuli altogether. This includes anything associated with past traumas, including places, smells, sounds, and feelings. However, instead of avoiding these triggers, they attempt to block them from entering their awareness completely.

Some people who struggle with dissociating simply refuse to acknowledge that they're experiencing it. Instead, they convince themselves that nothing abnormal is taking place within their heads. Sometimes patients report hearing voices that tell them to lie down and close their eyes until the pain stops. Other times, they claim that they're merely dreaming.

What does it mean to dissociate from reality?

As mentioned above, dissociation isn't necessarily a sign of serious psychological problems. Rather, it refers to a temporary state of mind where you break off from your normal everyday life. When you dissociate, you lose touch with reality.

In order to fully grasp what this term signifies, let's compare it to breaking free from chains. Imagine that you're trapped in a prison cell for years on end. While chained up, you gradually stop paying attention to your environment. You slowly grow accustomed to your situation, becoming numb to everything around you. Then one day, you manage to escape from your jail cell.

Your new freedom gives you the chance to reconnect with the world once again. After you finally emerge from your cocoon, you realize that you're still alive, and you notice that people are still treating you normally. From this point onward, you'll continue to enjoy life and interact with other people whenever you wish.

But now think about what happens when you're forced to stay chained up forever. You're cut off from society and unable to relate to anyone anymore. You're left with no contact whatsoever except for whatever thoughts run through your head. After a few days, weeks, or maybe even years, you'll come to accept your fate. Your existence becomes so routine that you barely care whether you're imprisoned or not.

Eventually, you'll develop coping mechanisms to deal with the loneliness and despair. Some people turn to alcohol or drugs to dull their senses. Others spend hours staring blankly at walls or playing video games. Still other individuals create elaborate fantasy worlds in their heads, filling them with characters and plots that allow them to ignore the real world.

Once you reach this stage, you're considered to have entered a dissociated state. Although you're still physically present, you no longer pay attention to anything around you. Your mind becomes a dark abyss filled with nightmares, flashbacks, and endless loops of traumatic memories.

What causes dissociation from reality?

There are two main reasons why you might experience dissociation. First, you could have suffered physical injuries or experienced extreme emotional distress. Second, you could potentially be dealing with a psychiatric issue like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or borderline personality disorder.

Although neither of these scenarios should cause permanent damage, they can lead to severe consequences if neglected long enough. Fortunately, there are plenty of resources available online that can help you cope with this kind of trauma.

However, depending on your specific case, the best course of action may vary. People who experience chronic dissociation usually benefit from therapy sessions that focus primarily on recovering lost memories. Meanwhile, those who haven't experienced trauma are generally advised against spending much time trying to piece together the fragments scattered throughout their brains.

Instead, they're encouraged to embrace their current lives, focusing on improving their personal relationships and pursuing hobbies that bring joy and purpose into their daily routines. Once you recover from your mental health issues, you'll probably find that you don't miss the times spent in a dissociated state as much as you thought you would.

When someone says they're feeling like their mind has split off from themselves or that there are two separate parts of them, they may be referring to something known as "dissociative disorder." A common term in psychology, this condition can affect anyone at any age but most commonly occurs in adolescence.

Dissociation refers more specifically to a psychological phenomenon where one part of your brain takes over control of another. This process causes an individual to experience certain memories or thoughts without actually remembering experiencing those events. For example, if you were sexually assaulted by someone who was wearing all black clothing, then suddenly remember seeing a man with all white clothes walking past you while you were waiting for the bus, you could potentially be suffering from some type of dissociated memory.

However, not everyone experiences disassociation in the same way. Some will only ever see the dark-clad assailant, whereas others might recall the man in white. It depends entirely upon which side of the spectrum each person falls into. But regardless of whether you feel like your experiences are being controlled by other forces or just plain forgotten, it's important to understand the differences between normal dissociation and dissociated personality states.

Although many people suffer from some form of dissociation, experts agree that the majority of cases involve milder forms compared to extreme cases. In general, these include amnesia (loss of short-term memory), depersonalization (feeling detached from yourself) or derealization (a sense of disconnection from reality). These disorders tend to occur alongside other conditions, such as PTSD or depression, making them even harder to diagnose.

But before we get into the nitty gritty, let's first look at exactly what dissociation means.

What happens during disassociation?

The word "disassociate" comes from the Greek verb diaskein, which literally translates as "to loose together." So essentially, when you start to lose touch with things you know and remember, it feels like your mind has separated itself from its body. However, unlike the popular misconception that it makes it seem like you've lost consciousness, this isn't always the case.

In fact, when you begin to experience amnesic gaps in your life, it often seems like everything around you is changing too quickly for you to keep up. You'll notice time passing differently than usual, so instead of feeling like months have passed since the last event, you'll feel like years have gone by. At times, it can also appear like your own voice sounds different, and you'll struggle to make sense of simple words.

It's easy to confuse these symptoms with signs of psychosis, because both can leave you unsure about what's going on around you. And although dissociation affects the mind rather than the senses, you might still experience sensory hallucinations (seeing, hearing and smelling things that aren't really there) or feelings of paranoia (fearful thinking that others intend to harm you).

To further complicate matters, sometimes your body won't respond either. If you try to move your fingers or toes, nothing will happen - you'll simply think you did. Likewise, if you attempt to speak, you'll hear silence. As strange as it sounds, this doesn't necessarily indicate the onset of schizophrenia or anything else serious. Instead, it's likely due to a lack of integration between your conscious and subconscious minds.

This is especially true if you feel disconnected from your surroundings, because the separation between your awareness and your actions is much greater than it normally would be.

What is it meant by disassociate?

So far, we've looked at what dissociation is, but we haven't yet explained the exact opposite. The term "dissociated personality state" describes a situation when one half of your brain becomes dominant over the other. While this usually involves a single hemisphere taking control, it can also take place across the entire brain.

For example, if you had a traumatic experience involving fire, you might become afraid of flames throughout your whole life. Or perhaps you experienced a car accident and now walk away from cars whenever possible. Both scenarios fit the description of a dissociated personality state.

While it's difficult to pinpoint specific reasons behind the development of these types of personalities, experts believe that genetics play a large role. Because genes determine our moods and behaviors through chemical reactions within our bodies, it stands to reason that certain genetic predispositions lead us towards developing certain traits.

And according to Dr. Daniel Amen, author of the New York Times bestseller Change Your Brain, Your Life, this tendency towards bipolarity can come down to three key factors.

Firstly, he believes that early trauma can cause changes in the structure of your amygdala, the area of your brain responsible for emotions. Secondly, he notes that certain neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, dopamine and noradrenaline, regulate how easily information flows between neurons. Lastly, his research suggests that these chemicals are affected by environmental stressors such as food scarcity, abuse or neglect.

If you want to learn more about the science behind dissociative disorders, check out Dr. Amen's book. He explains how these substances influence the way you perceive and react to situations, causing you to develop certain patterns of behavior.

Why do people say disassociate?

There are several theories surrounding the origins of the phrase "being disassociated." One suggests that it stems back to the 19th century French neurologist Jean Martin Charcot, whose work focused heavily on the role of the cerebral cortex. According to him, patients who suffered from hysterical paralysis tended to exhibit similar characteristics such as amnesia.

Another theory claims that the expression came from a famous quote attributed to John Stuart Mill. During his 1806 speech "On Liberty", Mill wrote:  "I cannot persuade myself that the human intellect rises above a certain height unless I am prepared to admit that my intellect does rise above it...and that my judgment is capable of rising above mine."

Mill used this statement as evidence that humans possess the ability to transcend self-awareness and achieve higher levels of cognition. Since then, this concept has been interpreted widely enough to suggest that dissociation is a sign of intellectual achievement.

Whats the difference between dissociation and disassociation?

From a scientific perspective, the terms "dissociation" and "disassociation" refer to the same thing. They both describe the act of separating oneself from one's identity. Although "disassociation" appears less formal and therefore more acceptable in everyday conversation, it should never be confused with the medical diagnosis of dissociative disorders.

In fact, the American Psychiatric Association defines dissociative disorders quite clearly: "A dissociative disorder is defined as a disturbance in the processes involved in perceiving, encoding, storing, retrieving, and/or integrating information in the service of adaptive functioning".

By contrast, "dissociation" refers to the psychological process that results in a patient losing awareness of their immediate environment. Dissociative Disorders are diagnosed after there is significant impairment in daily function.

That said, the terms can often be applied interchangeably. People use them almost exclusively interchangeably in the context of discussing personal experiences, particularly as they relate to mental illness.

You might also encounter instances where psychiatrists label a patient as having a "lack of association" or a "decrease in assimilation." Again, these phrases are synonymous with dissociation.

Finally, you might read articles online suggesting that the two terms are interchangeable. To avoid confusion, it's vital to note that this isn't the case, and it's essential to be clear when using the two words. The latter is merely a clinical term describing a particular symptom.

As long as you understand the difference between the two, you shouldn't need to worry about confusing them.

Dissociative disorders are psychological conditions that involve experiences of disconnection from one’s body or mind. They can be caused by trauma, abuse, neglect, or other factors. While they may seem like an extreme form of PTSD, their causes differ significantly.

For example, while people with PTSD experience flashbacks or relive traumatic memories, someone who has experienced a dissociative episode will often remember nothing about the event at all. Instead, they'll feel as though they were watching themselves through another person's eyes, experiencing things from the perspective of others.

In this article we explore the differences between these two terms, including their commonalities and implications for both people suffering from them and those trying to help them. We also provide definitions, explain how they relate, and offer tips for coping with your own dissociative episodes.

What's the difference between dissociation and disassociation?

The word “disassociation" refers specifically to states related to memory loss. It comes from the Latin verb "to separate." A person who suffers from dissociation doesn't necessarily lose all sense of identity -- he or she might not even realize it happened. But disassociation does cause problems remembering events and feelings associated with past traumas.

This is because of something known as "cognitive fragmentation," which happens when our brains try to make sense of information coming into our senses but aren't able to integrate everything properly. This leaves gaps where pieces don't fit together, causing confusion and difficulty processing sensory input.

People who suffer from severe cases of dissociation often describe having trouble processing emotions, too. That feeling of numbness can extend beyond just emotion-processing issues, affecting memory and cognition, among other areas. So if you're looking to learn more about the symptoms of dissociation and how to cope with them, keep reading!

What is difference between dissociation and disassociation?

There are several key distinctions between the words "dissociation" and "disassociation":

1) Dissociation is a term used to refer to specific types of cognitive impairment (i.e., a condition characterized by fragmented thinking). In contrast, disassociation describes a state of being disconnected from oneself, usually due to trauma.

2) While some forms of dissociation can occur after trauma, disassociation typically occurs during traumatic situations. For instance, a young child who witnesses domestic violence might become emotionally detached from her surroundings and forget her mother's name. She won't know anything about her previous life before arriving at the scene. People who experience this type of disassociation generally come back to reality within minutes of waking up.

3) Some sources say that "dissociated" should only apply to the first degree, whereas others use it interchangeably with "unconscious". Other sources claim that "unconscious" shouldn't be included under any circumstances. As such, we've opted to include both meanings here.

4) The word "dissociation" tends to imply that there was no connection between the parts of the brain responsible for different functions. However, it's important to note that while many experts agree that dissociation can happen without conscious awareness, evidence suggests that the process itself requires consciousness.

5) Many doctors and therapists believe that dissociation is a natural part of human development. Because it helps us develop new ways of thinking, learning, and behaving, they view it as beneficial rather than problematic. Others disagree, however, saying that dissociation could lead to serious consequences.

Are dissociate and disassociate the same?

Yes, yes they are! Although it seems strange to see two English language versions of the same concept, they do share some similarities. For starters, neither word includes the prefix "de-" ("dis-"), so they're technically synonymous. Both refer to instances when one loses his or her ability to mentally connect certain thoughts or ideas.

They're also similar in that they both stem from the Latin root word "separate", referring to mental separation. And finally, they both indicate a lack of connectivity between various aspects of ourselves.

So although dissociation and disassociation sound very much alike, they serve slightly different purposes. If you want to understand whether or not you've suffered from either disorder, check below to learn about the most common signs and symptoms. Then read on to get details on treatment options.

What disassociation means?

If you've ever wondered why you sometimes feel like you don't belong to yourself anymore, wonder no longer. You may suffer from a medical condition called "emotional or psychogenic amnesia" (or EAPA).

EAPA affects around 1% of the population. There isn't always a clear reason why someone develops EAPA, but researchers suspect genetics plays a role. According to Dr. Michael Alpert, director of the UCLA Amnesia Clinic, stress appears to be the leading factor behind its occurrence.

Other possible triggers include exposure to toxic substances, particularly alcohol, and head injuries. Symptoms vary based on each individual case, but they tend to manifest as sudden changes in behavior and personality. These shifts can range from minor annoyances (like forgetting names, dates, or places) to major disruptions (such as losing touch with friends, family members, and loved ones.)

Most importantly, people with EAPA almost never recover from it. Even once they've returned to normal, they still face challenges integrating their newfound abilities.

You might hear the terms "psychogenic amnesia" or "PAS" thrown around, too. Psychogenic amnesia involves a loss of long-term memories, but unlike EAPA it's reversible. PAS is considered a subtype of EAPA, since it shares many of the same characteristics.

How can I tell if my friend/family member/coworker has EAPA?

Here are a few red flags to watch out for:

* Extreme mood swings

* Irrational anger

* Impulsivity

* Lack of motivation

* Depression

* Difficulty concentrating

* Disorientation

* Forgetfulness

* Trouble making decisions

* Poor judgment

* Confusion

* Changes in interests/behavior

* Disturbed sleep patterns

* Inconsistency

* Anxiousness

What treatments exist for EAPA?

Currently, there's no cure for EAPA, and no way to predict who will experience it. Your best bet is to seek professional advice, especially if you think you might be dealing with a symptom of EAPA.

Psychotherapists can help you work through your reactions to stressors and identify underlying issues. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques can teach you skills that allow you to better manage anxiety and depression. Medication can ease symptoms related to impulsiveness and mood disturbances.

And if none of these approaches works, talk to your doctor about electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) -- it's been shown to temporarily reduce symptoms of EAPA.

Can EAPA be treated?

According to Dr. Alpert, EAPA isn't curable, but it can definitely be managed. He recommends seeking support from professionals who specialize in treating dissociative disorders. He says that if you live in California, you can call the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Helpline at 800-950-6264. Otherwise, contact your local chapter of NAMI.

If you need immediate assistance, consider calling 911. But if you're suffering from physical symptoms like seizures, chest pain, or shortness of breath, go straight to the nearest emergency room instead.

What else should I know?

Although EAPA rarely leads to permanent damage, it can leave lasting effects. Those affected struggle to maintain friendships, relationships, and careers. Their self-esteem plummets, leaving them unable to take care of basic responsibilities like grocery shopping and paying bills.

Because of this, anyone struggling with EAPA should speak with a therapist immediately. Without proper intervention, the condition can worsen over time, resulting in further distress and isolation.

Finally, it's worth noting that EAPA is frequently misdiagnosed as a psychotic illness. Many people assume that someone who forgets who they are must be insane, when in fact it's perfectly normal.

However, if you're worried that someone close to you might be developing EAPA, it's okay to ask questions. Just be sure to avoid accusing him or her of insanity. Once diagnosed, EAPA patients receive comprehensive therapy designed to alleviate their symptoms.

Want to learn more about mental health? Check out our articles explaining mental illnesses, depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, OCD, ADHD, and more. Plus, discover how to spot early warning signs of postpartum psychosis.