Do you ever have one of those days where time seems to fly by? You wake up feeling like you’ve just gotten out of bed, only to find yourself getting back in as the sun sets? That was my reality today. I hit the ground running at 8 AM, and suddenly it was 9 PM. After finally getting the baby to bed, I sat back and wondered where the day had gone. Looking at my to-do list, I realized I had accomplished maybe one or two things when I should have easily been able to complete them all.
As I tried to piece together how I spent my day, it hit me: I had been in a state of dissociation. Now, for those of you who may not be familiar with the term, here’s a quick overview.
What Is Dissociation?
Dissociation is a mental process that involves a disconnection from one’s thoughts, feelings, memories, or sense of identity. The experience can range from mild emotional detachment, like daydreaming, to a more severe disconnection from physical and emotional experiences.
Dissociation is often linked to anxiety or depression. Many people experience anxiety or panic due to the disorienting nature of dissociation itself. For some, this disconnection is a symptom of anxiety disorders, including acute stress disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
What Does It Feel Like?
You may wonder what dissociation feels like. It can manifest in various ways, like feeling outside of your body, as if you’re merely observing yourself from a distance. There’s often a detachment from emotions and in severe cases, one’s identity. Your sense of time could be affected, creating a sense that time is speeding up or slowing down. A more common experience is suddenly realizing you can’t remember something important like your address or phone number. Memory loss can last for only minutes or hours and, in rare cases, months or years. People even find themselves wandering while dissociating, leaving them unsure of how they arrived at a certain place.
Simply put, dissociation serves as a coping mechanism during or after traumatic or stressful events. It serves as a way to avoid reliving those distressing memories and helps to manage experiences that are otherwise difficult to bear.
The Power of Conversation
After acknowledging that I had mentally disconnected for the day, I began to ponder what had caused it. This only increased my stress and anxiety. (Which is saying something, as I often find myself on the verge of a mental breakdown because of both.) Instead of spiraling further, I chose to talk to my husband about how I was feeling.
Talking about your mental health with someone you trust can be incredibly therapeutic, especially on more challenging days. While therapy and specialized treatment plans are vital and essential in some cases, connecting with a loved one can offer immediate relief. As I shared my feelings with my husband, I found myself feeling more relaxed and even cracked a few jokes that my husband was unimpressed with.
As I snuggle into bed tonight, I feet grateful for the life I’ve built with someone who loves and supports me. If you had asked me ten years ago where I saw myself today, I probably wouldn’t have imagined being in this position. Life is rarely been easy or fair, and it loves to throw a curve ball, but in my hardships I’ve gained valuable knowledge and skills. By sharing my experiences, I hope to help at least one person who may be navigating their own challenging days.
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Remember, you’re not alone in your struggles,
and reaching out for support only helps make you stronger!
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