Dissociation happens when your brain chooses to separate itself from reality
Grades and deadlines are bound to give students stress, and when we factor in the additional struggles of an ever-present pandemic, it becomes easy to neglect our mental health. But, with World Mental Health Day approaching on Oct. 10, we are reminded that with the right tools and resources, mental health challenges can become a bit more bearable.
One such challenge students may face is dissociation, which is a sense of disconnection from thoughts, feelings, memories, and surroundings.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, this state can be separated into two different categories: depersonalization and derealization. These disorders can be experienced separately or at the same time.
Depersonalization is a feeling of disconnection from yourself. Those who experience it might look in the mirror and feel like their body isn’t theirs. Meanwhile, derealization is a feeling of disconnection from the surrounding world. The world might feel odd or unreal to those experiencing it.
Symptoms can be triggered by trauma, certain mental illnesses, hypnosis, meditation, and some drugs and alcohol.
Younger students may want to keep an eye on any dissociative episodes since “half of all mental health disorders over the life course [occur] first between the ages of 7 years and 24 years,” states a Cambridge University review.
Dissociation is not dissimilar to daydreaming in that you are mentally placing yourself elsewhere — voluntarily or otherwise — and possibly becoming disoriented when leaving that state. They’re both ways that the brain handles an unfavourable reality. This can range anywhere from boredom to traumatic events.
The problem with dissociation lies in its severity on the affected person. WebMD states that symptoms can include having an out-of-body experience, a pounding heartbeat and lightheadedness, feeling like a different person, being emotionally numb or detached, and feeling little to no pain.
Those having a dissociative episode may also experience an altered sense of time and memory, tunnel vision, immobility, and even become absorbed in flashbacks or a fantasy world.
It’s possible to experience dissociation and not know it. Some other less obvious signs that you might be having dissociative episodes can include rapid mood swings, trouble remembering personal details, behaviours or abilities that change, thoughts of suicide or self-harm, substance abuse, or failed treatments for mood disorders.
If you think you might be experiencing dissociation, seek out a diagnosis from a psychiatrist, psychologist, or psychiatric social worker. Treatment is possible via counselling and/or medication.
A version of this article appeared in print in The Ontarion issue 191.2 on Sept. 30, 2021.
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