Explanation of dissociation?

[alleexx12]

Someone mentioned it as a possible thing with me, but I don't really understand what it is. Any replies or PMs would be great. x

[brokendancer]

i am compleatly bored...and rather interested....so i googled it...woop

The American Psychiatric Association defines dissociation as "disruption of the usually integrated functions of consciousness, memory, identity, or perception of the environment."
But what does this mean? Actually, even experts are not entirely sure how to define dissociation. However, years of study have allowed researchers to describe experiences that go along with dissociation. These are:

• Depersonalization. Depersonalization is a feeling of separation from yourself and your body. People who experience depersonalization may say that they feel like they are observing their own body from the outside, or as if they are in a dream.
• Derealization. Derealization is similar to depersonalization, but it is a feeling of being detached from the external world, such as other people or things. Derealization may cause familiar things to look strange, unreal, or unfamiliar. Derealization and depersonalization often occur at the same time.
• Amnesia. Some people who experience dissociation have periods of amnesia or "losing time." They may have minutes to hours or days when they were awake but cannot remember where they were or what they were doing.

[alleexx12]

Thank you. That explanation is clearer then ones I found.

[Horizon]

There is also dissociative fugue and Dissociative Identity Disorder.

I pm'ed you

[whirlpools]

and many people dissociate as a "normal" human process when things are stressful. dissociation is actually a common and healthy defence to stress. but when it is more severe it can turn into a problem that affects the way you function and relate to things, your personality and your safety. an example of "normal" dissociation is, for most people, when they're driving along in their car, they get to their destination and they can't remember the journey because they've been distracted by other thoughts. but part of their brains must have been concentrating on the driving to get there safely - just not a conscious part.

for me, dissociation is notable but i wouldn't say serious. sometimes i feel like i just "wake up" not being able to remember things. like i've zoned out for a while and not noticed anything going on around me - which has lead to some embarrassing situations! other times i can feel it happening - like i go all fuzzy and feel like i'm being sucked backwards away from the world, i can't see, hear or talk properly, and i can feel quite tired and numb.

that's not a dictionary definition obviously and it's different for everyone, but i just thought i'd give you my experience of it.

i hope you're getting the help you need to feel safe.