Definition of Dissociation for People With PTSD

Definition of Dissociation for People With PTSD PTSD Print The Definition of Dissociation for People With PTSD Learn About a Symptom That May Affect You By Matthew Tull, PhD twitter Matthew Tull, PhD is a professor of psychology at the University of Toledo, specializing in post-traumatic stress disorder. Learn about our editorial policy Matthew Tull, PhD Reviewed by Reviewed by Amy Morin, LCSW on October 23, 2019 facebook twitter instagram Amy Morin, LCSW, is a psychotherapist, author of the bestselling book 13 Things Mentally Strong People Dont Do, and a highly sought-after speaker. Learn about our Wellness Board Amy Morin, LCSW on October 23, 2019 Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Overview Symptoms & Diagnosis Causes & Risk Factors Treatment Living With In Children JGI / Jamie Grill / Getty Images Basically, dissociation means a lack of connection or connections. So whats a useful definition of dissociation for people with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?? Dissociation disrupts four areas of personal functioning that usually operate together smoothly, automatically, and with few or no problems:?? IdentityMemoryConsciousnessSelf-awareness and awareness of surroundings Breaks in this system of automatic functions within yourself cause the symptoms of dissociation. Common Symptoms of PTSD-Related Dissociation If you have PTSD, you may sometimes have felt disconnected from yourself. If so, you may have experienced common but distressing incidents like these: Having flashbacks to traumatic events related to your PTSDFeeling that you’re briefly losing touch with events going on around you (similar to daydreaming)“Blanking out” or being unable to remember anything for a period of time Many people with PTSD have had these types of numbing, self-distancing symptoms.?? But there is some good news: Although upsetting, they may not last very long. What Happens When PTSD-Related Dissociation Is More Severe? The definition of dissociation in PTSD also includes the experiences of some people with PTSD who have additional symptoms called depersonalization (feeling as if the world is not real) and derealization (feeling as if the self is not real). Having either of these symptoms is a serious health problem. Depersonalization and derealization are responses to overwhelming traumatic events that cannot be escaped, such as child abuse and war trauma.?? They arise in order for the person to keep on functioning at the moment of being severely traumatized. Examples of depersonalization include out-of-body experiences, where people “see” themselves from above. This lets them feel, “This is not happening to me.”In states of derealization, people “experience” events that aren’t real. This lets them feel, “This isn’t real; it’s just a dream.” The people with PTSD who are most likely to have symptoms of depersonalization or derealization are found in all cultures. They mainly include those who: Are maleHave lived through repeated severe traumatic events before developing PTSDHave other mental health problems including suicidal tendenciesHave some form of disability that interferes with daily living Getting a Diagnosis Therapists use a number of tests to help identify people with PTSD who may also have one of the severe forms of dissociation. If you think you may need treatment for this as well as PTSD, you may be given the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS).?? The CAPS tests for depersonalization by asking you to respond to such questions as, Have there been times when you felt as if you were outside of your body, watching yourself as if you were another person?It tests for derealization by asking, for example, Have there been times when things going on around you seemed unreal or very strange and unfamiliar? The Link Between Dissociation and Substance Abuse There is a link between dissociation and substance abuse in people with PTSD. Experiences with dissociation and trauma can predict the potential for addiction, according to a study published in 2014. Another study showed relatively high levels of dissociation among women with both substance use disorder and PTSD, but also suggested that more research into how substances affect dissociation would be helpful. What Else Should I Know About Dissociation and PTSD? If youve experienced depersonalization or derealization, you should be aware that such an extreme response to actual traumatic events can be triggered again, even long afterward, by events that may or may not be threatening. If this happens, you could automatically enter a dissociative state at the first hint of potential trauma.?? If the situation isn’t actually threatening, you may appear “spaced-out” to others. On the other hand, if there is a real threat, dissociating from it when escape might otherwise be possible could expose you to the risk of harm.