dissociation unit

Dissociation

• Lack of integration of mental systems

• Altered state of consciousness

• Defense mechanism

Detachment dissociation:

Feeling disconnected from body or surroundings (e.g., emotional numbing)

Compartmentalization dissociation:

Parts of experience like memory or identity are isolated from conscious awareness (e.g., amnesia, conversion symptoms)

Neurological Basis

The medial prefrontal cortex inhibits emotional processing by the limbic system, leading to:

• Frozen facial expression

• Emotional numbness

• Avoidance behavior (e.g., the “thousand-yard stare”)

working self

manages goals and protects itself by suppressing harmful memories.

Attachment conflicts

in childhood can cause the brain to compartmentalize painful or conflicting emotions, leading to multiple "working selves."

Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)

Two or more identities, memory gaps, and major life disruption.

Dissociative Amnesia

Inability to recall autobiographical info; may include fugue (wandering).

Depersonalization/Derealization Disorder

Persistent detachment from self or surroundings.

Other Specified Dissociative Disorders

Include coercive persuasion, trance states, and acute dissociative reactions.

Narrative Fragmentation

Disorganized, vivid, emotionally overwhelming memories

Narrative Integration:

Therapy helps organize and emotionally process trauma into coherent life stories

Somatic Sensory Dissociation

brain fails to properly process body sensations.

Healing

involves restoring body-mind connection, promoting optimal arousal and emotional regulation.

Risk Factors for Dissociation

• Young age at trauma

• Intense stress or threat

• Weak sense of self

• External locus of control

• Emotion-avoidant coping strategies

PAG as a node of the SN

Allows for switching between salience
detection and self-referential processing within the cortical midline structures. (Default Mode Network)

Healing from trauma

indicated by one’s ability to be in an optimal state of arousal while experiencing
affective sensations/emotions in the body, therefore therapeutic approaches need to be centered around
attunement to somatic sensory affective experiences, enhancing the mind-body connection