Sponsored Links
Main Menu
Treatment
Self Tests
OCD
- Facts about OCD
- OCD Questions & Answers
- YBOCS: Yale-Brown OCD Scale
- Sexual Obsessions
- Hoarding & Saving OCD
- Washing & Cleaning
- Homosexuality Anxiety
- Christians & OCD
- Medication for OCD
- Combining Medication for OCD
- CBT Therapy for OCD
- Therapy for Kids with OCD
- OCD & African Americans
- Herbal Remedies for OCD
- Brain Surgery for OCD
- Treatment Resistant OCD
- OCD & Depression
- Real People's OCD Stories
- Online Therapy for OCD
Spectrum Disorders
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
- Tourette Syndrome
- Hypochondria
- Body Dysmorphic Disorder
- Depersonalization Disorder
- Trichotillomania (Hair Pulling)
- Compulsive Skin Picking
- Nail Biting
- Deliberate Self-Harm
- Olfactory Reference Syndrome
- Sexual Compulsions
- Compulsive Gambling
- Kleptomania
- Eating Disorders
- Obsessive Compulsive Personality
- Autistic Disorder
Anxiety & Mood
- Panic Disorder
- Panic Attacks
- Social Anxiety & Phobia
- Taijin Kyofusho
- Specific Phobias
- Generalized Anxiety
- Traumatic Stress Disorders
- Major Depressive Disorder
- Bipolar Disorder
- OCD & Bipolar
- Depression & God
Eating Disorders and Body Image
Dissociation and Depersonalization
I have had occasional occurrences of disassociation in my life, but it was not until the most recent and scary one that I felt prompted to ask my therapist about what was happening to my consciousness.
Disassociation describes an interrupted state of consciousness usually accompanied with a feeling of being detached from one’s emotions, body and/or immediate surroundings. This is often a coping mechanism to deal with overwhelming experiences and is often seen in people responding to trauma, but sometimes it just happens. A dissociative experience could be as common and casual as driving on auto-pilot. You know, when you drive from point A to B and you really don’t remember the drive at all. A more severe form of disassociation might involve fragmented emotions, multiple identities and a loss of the sense of self.
I remember day dreaming a whole lot as a kid. I remember looking in the mirror on occasion and not recognizing myself or walking down the street feeling as though I was walking on the set of a movie in a haze. I used to say I responded poorly in emergencies like when I started a small kitchen fire; I just stared blankly, completely frozen. Really, I wasn’t dumb or responding poorly, I was checking out because it was too overwhelming for me.
Most recently I went to a yoga class. I do not meditate as I would like to because it actually really stresses me out so yoga sounded nice, but I was nervous. I breathed deeply during the class as instructed and felt incredibly irritated. I do not know why, but when trying to relax in this capacity was making me upset. Toward the end of class, I was exhausted and we laid on the floor in “corpse” pose. I began to feel “out of it” and then my thoughts turned very dark, including suicide ideation. I cried quietly and felt as though some other voice was talking in my head. I knew it was my brain, but I felt no sense of control. I just listened to my cruel thoughts.
Class ended and I walked out in a daze, seeing the world in a fog. I walked around passing people, staring them down because I thought I was invisible. I got home and slowly came out back to my normal conciousness.
My therapist told me I had experienced depersonalization which is a type of dissociation with symptoms like what I had described.
As you might guess, I have been instructed by my therapist to avoid yoga and similar mindfulness based activities for now. We are working on me becoming more comfortable with my mind so I can handle feeling emotions without “checking out”. And that’s kinda how treatment works for this. Treatment is dependent on the underlying condition so the therapist will decide the best course of action.
Disassociation can be a one-time occurrence or once in a while thing or its own disorder. It can also be a prominent symptom in other non-dissacociative disorders like OCD, Borderline Personality Disorder, Bipolar Disorder and Depression.
![](https://www.brainphysics.com/sites/default/files/images/lose-weight-stop-ocd-diet-plan-mental-health.mini.jpg)
OCD Self Test
Do you or a loved one feel like you might have a problem with OCD?
Take the Self Test now to get more information.
Sponsored Links
![disclaimer](https://www.brainphysics.com/images/disclaimer-icon.gif)
The information provided on brainphysics.com is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between a patient/site visitor and his/her health professional. This information is solely for informational and educational purposes. The publication of this information does not constitute the practice of medicine, and this information does not replace the advice of your physician or other health care provider. Neither the owners or employees of brainphysics.com nor the author(s) of site content take responsibility for any possible consequences from any treatment, procedure, exercise, dietary modification, action or application of medication which results from reading this site. Always speak with your primary health care provider before engaging in any form of self treatment. Click here to read our complete Terms of Use.
Call Now—Help Available 24/7 (877) 331-9311
Sign up for our newsletter to receive mental health Information & Inspiration
Sponsored Links
You May Also Want To Read
Other People Are Also Reading
Online Support Groups
![visit SupportGroups.com](http://www.supportgroups.com/images/link-banner-300.gif)
SupportGroups.com provides a support network for those facing life's challenges. Click on the following links to get a helping hand in a confidential, caring environment.
Call Now—Help Available 24/7 (877) 331-9311