What is Dissociation? Understanding Bodily Responses to Stress from a Trauma Therapist in Denver, CO

 
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The word “dissociation” is one with varied meanings depending on its context. In clinical circles, it is defined as disruption or interruption of normal control of motor function, emotion, identity, and perception. Perhaps in less formal settings, a friend may say “Sorry, I was dissociating” to refer to mentally “checking out” when bored or overwhelmed. 

The trauma therapists at CZTG define dissociation from a nervous system lens and also from an adaptive lens. Simply put, dissociation is an act of protection our bodies assume when our nervous system recognizes a high level emotional, mental, or physical threat.

Why does dissociation exist?

When exposed to stress, our bodies enter “fight or flight” mode, activating different parts of our nervous system to adequately defend against the threat. Dissociation is a sub-system of this fight or flight response orientation that either can either overly activate or under activate certain behaviors (i.e. why stress makes some people feel restless and others numb). When the stress is severe enough- what most would characterize as a “trauma”- dissociation enters the picture as a survival tool to stop overwhelming sensations, emotions, and thoughts from being processed.  

What are the ways dissociation shows up?

There are two primary classifications of dissociation that relate to how present we feel in our bodies and how intact we feel with our sense of self.

Derealization: disconnect, detachment or sense of non-reality about physical surroundings

  • Ex: Inability to be in touch with time of day, week, month or year; surrounding objects and people look foggy, distant, or imaginary

Depersonalization:  feeling as if one’s thoughts, feelings, and body are unfamiliar, unknown, or not real

  • Ex: feeling as if you are watching yourself from an outsider’s perspective

Photo of green couch in a denver therapy office. Do you dissociate? Learn how unhealed trauma can play a role from a denver trauma therapist and explore support with trauma therapy in Denver, CO.

How does dissociation feel? A brief overview by a trauma therapist in Denver.

Window of Tolerance (Where we aim to operate!): state of open-heartedness, lack of reactivity, and calm that facilitates effective management of stressors and safe connectivity with self and others.

  • Emotional state: curious, relaxed, non-judgmental, regulated, balanced

  • Physiological state: normal breathing, ability to maintain eye contact, relaxed body posture, steady heartbeat

Hyper-arousal (Mobilize Fight or Flight): high energy state that propels impulses to fight or flee, minimizing capacity to connect with others due to a distracted and racing mind and/or body.

  • Emotional state: overwhelmed, anger, panic, anxiety, obsessive thinking, distracted

  • Physiological state: increased heart rate and blood pressure, rapid breathing, restlessness, muscle tension

Hypo-arousal (Freeze/Collapse): loss of energy ranging to total shutdown of emotional, mental and physical responses resulting in disconnect from self, sensations, and others.

  • Emotional state: numbness, isolation, depersonalization, derealization, hopelessness

  • Physiological state: slowed breathing and heartrate, fatigue, heaviness, minimal affect

Photo of window of tolerance chart. Nervous system regulation after trauma can be hard! Work with a trauma therapist in denver, co to help regulate your body and heal from dissociation. Connect with a denver trauma therapist today!

Where trauma therapy in Denver comes into play.

  • Normalizing dissociation as a survival tool

  • Identifying how dissociation manifests, its triggers, and associated emotions and behaviors

  • Allowing your therapist to serve as a physical and emotional anchor during times of disconnect from self and body 

  • Retraining the nervous system to engage with overwhelming emotions, sensations and thoughts adaptively  

Next Steps: Begin Trauma Therapy in Denver To Get Support With Dissociation

If you’re experiencing dissociation, consider exploring trauma therapy in Denver, CO at CZ Therapy Group. Follow these three simple steps to get started:

  1. Reach out to schedule a free 20-minute consult call to see if trauma therapy is right for you

  2. Connect with the CZTG trauma therapist of your choice via a phone consult.

  3. Begin the process of nervous system regulation with Denver trauma therapy!

Meet The Writer: Jordan Kurtz, Denver Trauma Therapist

Photo of Jordan Kurtz, trauma therapist in denver, co. Reach out to Jordan for support with dissociation or connect with another denver trauma therapist on our team!

Jordan Kurtz (she/her) is a trauma and relationship therapist at CZTG who focuses on therapy for grief, trauma, adolescence, and couples. Jordan is authentic, warm, and affirming of her clients’ identities and experiences.

Other CZTG Offerings: Therapy in Denver, CO

ANXIETY THERAPY COUPLES THERAPY EMDR Therapy TEEN THERAPY LGBTQ+ THERAPY

Photo of cz therapy group business card. If you struggle with dissociation after trauma, a denver trauma therapist at cztg can help! Our team would love to support you through trauma therapy in denver, co!