Dissociation is an altered state of consciousness where one is disconnected from the present moment.
Most people experience some normal dissociation in everyday life. For example, if you commute to work the same way each day, you will often start to go on "auto-pilot," not really noticing the scenery or experience of driving. Many trauma survivors experience more frequent dissociation, often in response to difficult emotions or situations. It becomes a way of coping, one which can be dangerous.
If your clients are experiencing dissociation, they may:
- Simply numb their feelings.
- Lose touch completely with where they are and what is happening.
- Be unaware of it.
