Keywords: Dissociation Psychology.
Both connection and disconnection have a function. Connecting with your body, emotions, and sensations helps you to relate to the world and others. When we rest, however, we need to disconnect from our daily reality in order to regenerate—to replenish our energies.
The meaning of connection and disconnection drastically changes when we suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. When being connected to oneself and others become associated with being in danger, the only option we have is to disconnect—to dissociate—especially so during childhood. It is not a voluntary decision but rather is precipitated by necessity.
The Right Approach Dissociation Psychology and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Recovery
Feeling the disconnected state is normal for both client and therapist while working together through Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder symptoms. Rather than judging the client for not being serious or resisting treatment, this disconnection needs to be honored and renegotiated by the therapist.
When being connected to oneself and others become associated with being in danger, the only option we have is to disconnect especially so during childhood. It is not a voluntary decision but rather is precipitated by necessity.
The reason disconnection is present is that it helps take away the stress that is there because of (self) judgment.
Teaching the client to hold the disconnection, feel it, and become intimate with it, makes the state more fluid, less frozen, and paves the way for him or her to connect again, to feel the body's sensations and pains.
Dealing with PTSD and the Psychology of Dissociation
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder can be treated successfully when done carefully; when the client has been taught both to vacillate between being attentive to the psychology of dissociation and to manage and process reconnection.
How does disconnection show up for you? Leave your comments below.
This! After my MVA which was serious, not so helpful ‘others’ decided my past was my ‘problem’ and instead of being treated for accident injuries I was put on a merry-go-round of being told what my ‘problem’ was. I survived but failed to meet the expectations of others because I kept disconnecting.
Slowly moving forward…this time with education 🙂