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Feb 1, 2023 · Trauma and Dissociation. There is a very strong link between trauma and dissociation. Ongoing trauma, especially childhood physical, sexual, or emotional abuse and/or neglect is a very significant risk factor for the development of dissociative disorders and is thought to be the root cause in at least 90% of people with these conditions.
Experts in PTSD support and treatment believe dissociation is a common feature of post-traumatic stress disorder. The same events and experiences that cause PTSD, can result in the individual experiencing some degree of emotional detachment from reality.
Dissociation is a way the mind copes with too much stress. Periods of dissociation can last for a relatively short time (hours or days) or for much longer (weeks or months). Many people with a dissociative disorder have had a traumatic event during childhood. Dissociation can happen as a way of coping with it.
You can read more on our page about the causes of dissociative disorders. Dissociation might be a way to cope with very stressful experiences. You might experience dissociation as a symptom of a mental health problem, for example post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or borderline personality disorder.
Therapy can equip patients with productive ways to deal with PTSD and dissociation symptoms. Speaking with a trusted professional can help patients and their loved ones feel better about the underlying diagnosis while managing possible triggers and causes.
Experts believe that trauma can cause dissociation because of the way we respond to threat. There are different theories about how this happens. There are a few ways that we might instinctively respond in a threatening situation. You may have heard of the fight-or-flight responses. These are instinctive responses to threat that involve either ...
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In the dissociative subtype of PTSD, activations are reversed, leading to oversuppression of emotion consistent with depersonalization and derealization. Although not all individuals who meet criteria for PTSD have high levels of dissociation, most patients with high levels of dissociative symptomatology meet criteria for PTSD (6). General ...
