{"id":27730,"date":"2015-04-29T08:00:14","date_gmt":"2015-04-29T15:00:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.goodtherapy.org\/blog\/?p=27730"},"modified":"2024-05-09T13:38:07","modified_gmt":"2024-05-09T17:38:07","slug":"the-brain-in-defense-mode-how-dissociation-helps-us-survive","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.goodtherapy.org\/blog\/the-brain-in-defense-mode-how-dissociation-helps-us-survive-0429155","title":{"rendered":"The Brain in Defense Mode: How Dissociation Helps Us Survive"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"GoodTherapyAccording to Ross and Halpern (2011), there are several definitions of dissociation<\/a>. One of them (referred to as \u201cthe general systems meaning of dissociation\u201d) is \u201cthe opposite of association\u201d or the disconnection of two or more things that were once associated with each other. Another definition, presented by Steinberg and Schnall (2001), defines dissociation as \u201can adaptive defense in response to high stress or trauma characterized by memory loss and a sense of disconnection from oneself or one\u2019s surroundings.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dissociation occurs when someone disconnects from some part of himself or herself or the environment. It can occur in a number of different ways, including disconnection from one\u2019s emotions, body sensations, memories, senses, etc. A normal and common phenomenon, dissociation can happen in mild forms even when there is not imminent danger or stress. Think of a time you drove somewhere, arrived, and then couldn\u2019t remember the drive because your mind was wandering; an instance when you lost track of time because you were engrossed in a riveting television\u00a0show; or when you disconnected from body sensations to avoid going to the bathroom when you were on a tight deadline at work.<\/p>\n

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Dissociation is something we all do, and it is a vital part of our ingrained survival system. It is a part of the system that helps us to cope with stressful situations<\/a>, which may otherwise feel overwhelming (Steinberg and Schnall, 2001). It is built in and is not pathological (Ross and Halpern, 2011). However, when a trauma occurs, sometimes this built-in system disconnects to a greater degree in an effort to protect the individual from traumatic material, body sensations, emotions, or memories that may be overwhelming.<\/p>\n

Dissociation related to trauma<\/a> occurs in varying degrees. On the lower end of the dissociation spectrum, for example, let\u2019s say someone was in a car accident. A few days after the accident, the person finds that he or she cannot recall parts of the accident, even though reports of others were that he or she was conscious and responsive during those times he or she cannot recall. On the other end of the spectrum, someone who was severely abused<\/a> throughout life can dissociate to the point that he or she has more than one personality, all of whom display and contain their own characteristics and who hold different memories associated with the trauma.<\/p>\n

The goal in therapy is not to eliminate dissociation completely, but rather to help the brain and body to update to the current circumstances. Specifically, this would include helping a person to integrate current information about the present circumstances in which they live.<\/span><\/p>\n

For the traumatized individual, dissociation may help him or her to survive circumstances that may have otherwise been intolerable. Dissociation can help a person feel as if situations, his or her body sensations, emotions that would have been overwhelming, etc., are muted and distorted so he or she can then go into \u201cautopilot\u201d mode and survive extreme situations and circumstances. When trauma is ongoing, dissociation can become \u201cfixed and automatic\u201d (Steinberg and Schnall, 2001). When this is the case, integration of memories<\/a> becomes difficult for the brain, and the brain also continues to send of signals of danger, even when the traumatic situation is over (Steinberg and Schnall, 2001). This can continue for years after a traumatic situation has ended.<\/p>\n

According to Steinberg and Schnall (2001), the five central symptoms of dissociation are:<\/p>\n