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How can therapy help manage dissociative symptoms? 

Trauma can present in various ways, and some signs of trauma may go unnoticed. Trauma is defined as a high-impact stressor that overwhelms an individual’s ability to cope and disrupts their relationship with themselves and others (Boyer, 2022). It can affect how a person perceives and interacts with their surroundings. This blog will help you identify hidden signs of trauma, such as dissociation, guilt, shame, overcompensation, and emotional dysregulation.

What Even Is Dissociation In The First Place?

Dissociation is a protective response to extreme stress or trauma. Dissociation allows the mind to detach from an overwhelming reality to protect the individual from psychological repercussions. However, if this condition becomes chronic and continues beyond the traumatic event, it can affect engagement in daily life. Different signs of trauma can include dissociation, guilt, and shame.

Dissociation: A Hidden Sign of Trauma which manifests as three key symptoms: 

  • Depersonalisation: This is the experience of feeling detached from one’s body, as though the mind is watching it from the outside. This experience can make it more difficult to perform everyday tasks, such as concentrating on work or driving.
  • Derealisation: This is the feeling that the external world appears unreal, foggy, or dreamlike, resulting in confusion and disconnection from one’s surroundings.
  • Amnesia: This is the inability to recall events or personal information. Amnesia can be limiting as it may impact social relationships and hinder one’s ability to stay engaged or fulfil responsibilities.

Therapy Can Be Of Great Use As Well

Therapy can be a valuable ally when these symptoms become a regular part of everyday life. Working with a psychologist allows access to a safe and caring space where you can identify and understand your symptoms while developing personalised and practical tools to manage these difficult times better. You can learn grounding techniques, such as focusing on breathing or engaging with objects of varied textures, to reconnect with the present moment and your body and thus help mitigate episodes of depersonalisation and derealisation.

Be Aware Of How Emotionally Demanding And Challenging It Tends To Be

While engaging in this self-awareness work is valuable, it’s essential to acknowledge that it can be emotionally demanding and challenging. Reconnecting with memories and emotions can trigger trauma-related feelings. Therapy can support you on this journey by providing compassionate guidance and a non-judgmental space to fully accept and explore your feelings.

There are several therapeutic approaches available to manage these symptoms, depending on your personal needs and preferences:

  • Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR): This therapy helps reduce the emotional load of memory by recreating healthier memories for the brain. The therapist guides you through bilateral stimulation exercises, such as eye movements or tapping, while revisiting traumatic memories. For someone with dissociation, this process helps you reconnect with your experience and alleviate symptoms.
  • Somatic Experiencing (SE): This approach focuses on the physical sensations in your body to help heal trauma stored there. The therapist guides you to focus your attention on any tension or numbness felt during the recollection of the traumatic event. Gradually, this helps to release the tension and reintegrate the body’s response to trauma, which is particularly important for dissociative individuals who often feel disconnected from their bodies.
  • Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS) This therapy helps you recognise and understand the different “parts” of yourself that may have become fragmented because of trauma. For example, one part of you might feel numb and disconnected from your body, while another part might be flooded with emotions. IFS aims to help these parts communicate and work together, so you can bring everything back together and have more control over your feelings and actions.
  • Cognitive and Behavioural Therapy (CBT): This method helps you to identify and modify maladaptive thought patterns caused by the trauma. It teaches you to replace these thoughts with healthier ones, helping you better understand and cope with dissociation.
  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): This therapy helps you develop various skills to manage intense emotions, stay present in difficult situations, and communicate more effectively with others. For instance, through mindfulness skills, DBT teaches you to observe yourself without judgment, stay grounded in the present moment, and manage emotional responses, which can be especially helpful in coping with dissociation.

Final Thoughts

Reconnecting the mind and body is a gradual and often challenging journey. Setbacks, such as resurfacing memories or intensified symptoms, can arise but do not indicate a loss of progress. Managing dissociation, though complex, is possible. While regaining a sense of connection with a detached mind and unfamiliar body may feel overwhelming, you do not have to go through it alone. Therapy provides support, fosters resilience, and equips you with tools to navigate these experiences effectively.

Conclusion

If you recognise these symptoms in yourself, consider seeing a therapist who specialises in trauma and dissociation. A professional can help you understand your symptoms and allow you to choose a therapeutic approach appropriate for your needs. Understanding the signs of trauma is crucial for supporting those affected.

References:  

Guelfi, J. (2021). Chapter 4. Dissociative disorders in the DSM-5. In Smith, J. (Ed.), Psychotherapy of dissociation and trauma (2nd ed., pp. 39-46). Dunod. https://doi-org.srvext.uco.fr/10.3917/dunod.smith.2021.01.0039.

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