Many times, people who are dissociating are not even aware that it is happening, other people notice it. Just like other types of avoidance, dissociation can interfere with facing up and getting over a trauma or an unrealistic fear.

A history of trauma is a key feature of dissociative identity disorder. About 90% of the cases of DID involve some history of abuse. The trauma often involves severe emotional, physical, and/or sexual abuse. It might also be linked to accidents, natural disasters, and war.

When a person experiences dissociation, it may look like: Daydreaming, spacing out, or eyes glazed over. Acting different, or using a different tone of voice or different gestures.

Dissociation refers to being disconnected from the present moment. It is a subconscious way of coping with and avoiding a traumatic situation or negative thoughts.

Steps to reduce dissociation and increase self-awareness.

1. Use your Five Senses. Name 5 things you see, 4 things you feel, 3 things you hear, 2 things you smell and 1 thing you taste.
2. Mindfulness walk.
3. Slow breathing.
4. Write in a daily journal.

Blanking out while remembering something frightening, having difficulty focusing, and acting out are all signs of both posttraumatic stress and ADHD. A small 2006 study found that children who experienced abuse were more likely to show apparent symptoms of ADHD but actually have a dissociative condition.

The exposure to stressful life events, and—more specifically—Childhood Trauma, has been shown to predict ADHD onset as well as persistence of the disorder into adulthood (Biederman et al. 1995; Friedrichs et al.

Trauma-Related Dissociation is sometimes described as a ‘mental escape’ when physical escape is not possible, or when a person is so emotionally overwhelmed that they cannot cope any longer. Sometimes dissociation is like ‘switching off’. Some survivors describe it as a way of saying ‘this isn’t happening to me’.

Having flashbacks to traumatic events. Feeling 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. Memory loss about certain events, people, information, or time periods.

Pathogenesis. Some individuals who use cannabis will never experience depersonalization or derealization during or after cannabis use (5). However, depersonalization and derealization remain potential side effects of cannabis (12), of which many clinicians are unaware (5).

Dizziness or feeling ‘out of body’ Heavy breathing leads to hyperventilation with less blood going to the brain. In response, the brain looks after itself by going into “protection” mode. This can lead to a feeling of being “spaced out” or feeling as though you’re out of your body.

Zoning out is one of the more common warning signs of ADHD in both children and adults. Zoning out in conversations with family, or meetings at work are a reflection of attention issues, which is a leading sign in the diagnosis of ADHD.

The No. 1 treatment for derealization is psychotherapy. This form of talk therapy teaches you ways to share your experience and strategies to handle your episodes. Your doctor also may prescribe medication, mainly to ease any symptoms of depression or anxiety that come with the disorder.

Dissociation is a general term that refers to a detachment from many things. Depersonalization is specifically a sense of detachment from oneself and one’s identity. Derealization is when things or people around seem unreal.

Coping With Derealization Pinch the skin on the back of your hand. Hold something that’s cold or really warm (but not hot enough to burn you) and focus on the sensation of temperature. Count or name items in the room. Try to keep your eyes moving so that you don’t zone out or start to lose touch again.

10 Simple Ways to Relieve Depersonalization

1. Read Aloud.
2. Cut out Caffeine.
3. Listen to Podcasts and Music.
4. Avoid Drugs.
5. Get Up Early.
6. Go to Bed Early When you rise early, your body will naturally start to get tired and slow down at an appropriate time in the evening.
7. Practice Your Hobbies.
8. Don’t Overreact.