The Dissociation Spectrum + What Causes Dissociative Disorders?

Kati Morton
8 Aug 202309:42
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRIn this insightful video, licensed marriage and family therapist Katie Morton addresses the question of whether dissociation is solely caused by trauma or if there are other factors that can trigger it. She explains that dissociation occurs when the nervous system is overwhelmed, leading to a disconnection from reality through depersonalization or derealization. While trauma is a common cause, she emphasizes that dissociation can also be induced by non-traumatic, highly stressful situations. Katie describes the spectrum of dissociation, ranging from mild 'space out' episodes to maladaptive daydreaming and dissociative fugue, and touches on dissociative identity disorder. She shares a personal experience of dissociation during a stressful confrontation, highlighting the adaptive nature of dissociation as a coping mechanism. The video aims to raise awareness and understanding of dissociation, encouraging viewers to recognize signs of dissociative episodes in themselves and others.

Takeaways
  • 🧠 Dissociation is a response to overwhelming situations where the brain disconnects from reality as a coping mechanism.
  • 📉 Dissociation can occur when an individual's nervous system is unable to manage the stress or trauma they are experiencing.
  • 🌫️ There are different levels of dissociation, ranging from mild 'spacing out' to more severe forms like dissociative fugue or maladaptive daydreaming.
  • 🌈 Dissociation is on a spectrum and can be adaptive, helping individuals survive overwhelming situations without further trauma.
  • 🚫 Dissociation is not always caused by trauma; it can also be triggered by highly stressful non-traumatic events.
  • 🧐 Individuals may not remember events during a dissociative episode, which can be a red flag indicating that dissociation has occurred.
  • 🤔 Daydreaming excessively or creating an alternate reality can be a form of dissociation known as maladaptive daydreaming.
  • 🧘‍♀️ The goal of dissociation is to protect the individual from further harm by temporarily removing them from a stressful situation.
  • ⏱️ The duration of a dissociative episode can vary widely, from minutes to weeks or months.
  • 🤷‍♀️ People with a history of trauma may experience dissociation more frequently and with greater intensity.
  • 📈 It's estimated that at least 50% of people have experienced at least one dissociative episode in their life.
Q & A

  • What is dissociation?

    -Dissociation is a psychological experience where a person feels disconnected from their surroundings, their body, or their sense of identity. It can manifest as depersonalization (feeling detached from oneself) or derealization (feeling detached from one's environment) and may involve feeling like one is watching oneself on a TV screen or in a fog.

  • What causes dissociation?

    -Dissociation can be caused by overwhelming experiences that the brain perceives as too much to manage. While trauma is a common cause, other highly stressful situations, such as intense work meetings or arguments, can also trigger dissociation as a coping mechanism.

  • How is dissociation related to the concept of 'overwhelm'?

    -The term 'overwhelm' refers to situations where the demands or stressors exceed an individual's capacity to cope. When a person becomes overwhelmed, their brain may initiate dissociation as a protective mechanism to help them survive and get through the stressful event without further traumatization.

  • What is the spectrum of dissociation?

    -Dissociation exists on a spectrum that ranges from mild experiences, such as spacing out after a long day, to more severe forms like dissociative fugue and maladaptive daydreaming, and at the extreme end, dissociative identity disorder (formerly known as multiple personality disorder).

  • What is a dissociative fugue?

    -A dissociative fugue is a type of dissociative experience where a person may lose memory of personal information and even wander away from their usual environment, often without remembering how they got there.

  • What is maladaptive daydreaming?

    -Maladaptive daydreaming is a condition where a person excessively daydreams, often creating elaborate, immersive fantasies that can interfere with their daily life. It is considered a form of dissociation.

  • Why is dissociation considered an adaptive coping skill?

    -Dissociation is considered an adaptive coping skill because it serves as a temporary escape from overwhelming situations. It allows the person to avoid further trauma or stress by disconnecting from the experience until it is safe to re-engage.

  • How common is dissociation?

    -Research estimates that at least 50 percent of people have experienced at least one dissociative episode in their lifetime. However, the frequency and severity can vary widely among individuals.

  • What are some indicators that someone may have experienced a dissociative episode?

    -Indicators of a dissociative episode may include gaps in memory, feeling spaced out, difficulty connecting with one's body, and a sense of being detached from one's surroundings or self.

  • Can non-traumatic events cause dissociation?

    -Yes, non-traumatic events that are perceived as highly stressful or overwhelming can also cause dissociation. The key factor is the feeling of being unable to cope with the intensity of the situation.

  • How does dissociation protect a person from further trauma?

    -Dissociation acts as a protective mechanism by disconnecting a person from the overwhelming experience. This disconnection can prevent further emotional or psychological damage by allowing the person to 'step outside' of the situation until it has passed.

  • What advice does Katie Morton give for someone who suspects they have experienced dissociation?

    -Katie Morton suggests that if someone suspects they have experienced dissociation, they should look for indicators such as memory gaps, feeling spaced out, or disconnection from their body. She also recommends seeking professional help for further understanding and support.

Outlines
00:00
🧠 Understanding Dissociation and Its Causes

In this paragraph, Katie Morton, a licensed marriage and family therapist, addresses the question of whether dissociation is always caused by trauma or if there are other potential causes. She explains that dissociation occurs when the nervous system is overwhelmed and the brain 'pulls the rip cord on reality,' leading to experiences of depersonalization or derealization. Katie emphasizes that while trauma is a common cause of dissociation, it is not the only one, and that dissociation exists on a spectrum, with milder forms like dissociative fugue and maladaptive daydreaming at the lower end. She also shares a personal experience of dissociation during a stressful event that was not traumatic, illustrating that dissociation can be an adaptive coping mechanism to protect us from becoming further overwhelmed or traumatized.

05:00
🕒 Dissociation: Beyond Trauma and Into Everyday Stress

Katie continues the discussion on dissociation by exploring how non-traumatic, yet highly stressful situations can also lead to dissociative episodes. She describes how intense work meetings, arguments with loved ones, or any situation that feels overwhelming can trigger dissociation as a means of self-protection. Katie explains that the brain may 'pull the rip cord' to avoid further stress or potential trauma, which can result in out-of-body experiences or memory loss. She stresses that dissociation is an adaptive coping skill, even when not linked to trauma, and is a way for the brain to help us survive until we feel it's safe to 'come back' to reality. The paragraph concludes with Katie sharing a personal anecdote about a non-traumatic dissociative episode, highlighting that dissociation can occur in response to various levels of stress and is not exclusive to traumatic experiences.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Dissociation
Dissociation is a psychological experience where a person feels disconnected from their surroundings, their body, or their sense of identity. In the video, it is described as a response to overwhelming situations, which can range from traumatic events to highly stressful circumstances. Dissociation serves as the central theme, as it is the phenomenon the video aims to explain and explore.
💡Trauma
Trauma is a deeply distressing or disturbing experience that can cause overwhelming feelings of fear, helplessness, or horror. In the context of the video, trauma is identified as a common cause of dissociation due to the intense stress and fear it induces. The speaker discusses how trauma can lead to dissociation as the mind attempts to cope with the overwhelming experience.
💡Depersonalization
Depersonalization is a type of dissociative experience where a person feels detached from their own self, as if they are observing themselves from outside their body. In the video, it is mentioned as one aspect of dissociation, where the individual feels like they are watching themselves on TV or in a movie, illustrating a disconnect from one's sense of self.
💡Derealization
Derealization is another form of dissociation where a person feels disconnected from their environment, as if the world around them is unreal or dreamlike. The video uses this term to describe the sensation of feeling removed from one's surroundings, contributing to the overall experience of dissociation.
💡Coping Skills
Coping skills are the strategies and behaviors that individuals use to manage stress or overcome difficult situations. The video discusses how the presence or absence of coping skills can influence a person's ability to handle life's challenges without becoming overwhelmed, which is directly related to the potential for dissociation.
💡Support System
A support system refers to the network of relationships—family, friends, or other individuals—that provide emotional, psychological, and sometimes material assistance. In the video, the concept is mentioned as a factor that can affect one's resilience and ability to weather life's storms, which in turn can influence the likelihood of experiencing dissociation.
💡Dissociative Fugue
Dissociative Fugue is a rare and severe dissociative disorder characterized by reversible amnesia for personal identity, which often involves unexpected travel and confusion about one's personal history. The video describes it as a part of the dissociation spectrum, where individuals may not remember how they got home from a stressful event, indicating a low level of dissociation.
💡Maladaptive Daydreaming
Maladaptive daydreaming is a condition where a person spends an excessive amount of time lost in vivid, intricate fantasies, to the point where it interferes with daily life. In the video, it is presented as a form of dissociation where individuals create alternate realities or personas in their daydreams, which can be a response to feeling overwhelmed by life.
💡Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)
Dissociative Identity Disorder, formerly known as multiple personality disorder, is a mental health condition characterized by at least two distinct and relatively enduring identities or personality states that recurrently take control of a person's behavior. The video positions DID as the more severe end of the dissociation spectrum, which can be linked to traumatic experiences.
💡Window of Tolerance
The window of tolerance is a concept in psychology that refers to the range of experiences that are tolerable for an individual without triggering dysregulation. The video uses this term to explain the limits of a person's ability to cope with stress before their nervous system may resort to dissociation as a protective mechanism.
💡Adaptive Coping Skill
An adaptive coping skill is a healthy and effective strategy that individuals use to manage stress, adversity, or challenging emotions. In the context of the video, dissociation is described as an adaptive coping skill when the situation feels too overwhelming to manage, and the person's nervous system disengages from the experience to protect the individual from further trauma.
Highlights

Dissociation is a response to overwhelming experiences and not just limited to trauma.

Over 50% of people report having at least one dissociative episode in their life.

Dissociation can occur when the nervous system is overwhelmed by life events.

Depersonalization and derealization are forms of dissociation where one feels detached from self or environment.

Dissociation can feel like watching oneself on TV or in a movie, or being in a fog.

Dissociation is a spectrum, starting from 'space out' to dissociative fugue and maladaptive daydreaming.

Dissociative fugue is a state of amnesia where one doesn't remember how they got home after a stressful event.

Maladaptive daydreaming involves creating an alternate reality and personas within it as a coping mechanism.

Dissociation can be an adaptive coping skill to protect us from further trauma or overwhelming situations.

The goal of dissociation is survival, and it can last from minutes to weeks or months depending on the individual.

Non-traumatic events, such as intense work meetings or arguments, can also lead to dissociation.

Dissociation is a way for the brain to avoid further stress and potential trauma.

Memory loss during a dissociative episode is common as the brain tries to protect the individual.

Personal experience of dissociation was shared by the speaker due to a stressful confrontation with a friend.

Signs of dissociation include memory loss during stressful events, feeling spaced out, and disconnection from the body.

Dissociation is more frequent and recognized in individuals with a history of trauma.

The speaker offers further resources and videos on her channel to understand dissociation in more depth.

Transcripts

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DissociationTraumaCoping SkillsTherapyMental HealthStress ManagementDepersonalizationDerealizationAdaptive MechanismSelf-AwarenessPsychological ResilienceMortonOverwhelmDaydreamingDissociative FugueMaladaptive DaydreamingSurvival InstinctNervous SystemLife StressConfrontationMemory LossPersonal ExperienceSpectrum of Dissociation