In response to trauma, stress, or other triggers, some people experience a state called dissociation. This involves switching to another mental state almost like going into autopilot where someone feels disconnected from their own thoughts and actions. To cope with these adverse situations and reduce the risk of developing Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) later in life, there are several ways to induce dissociative states safely. Whether you call it going into your “happy place” or intentionally stepping outside of your own mind, here is how you can learn how to dissociate on purpose.
How To Dissociate On Purpose?
The first step is to decide if you want to dissociate on purpose. If so, you can proceed with the following steps.
Step 1: Visualize yourself dissociating from your body.
Step 2: Imagine yourself in a place you feel comfortable, such as your bedroom or in a place where you feel safe.
Step 3: Think about how it will feel to be separated from your body and look at what it feels like to be separated from your body.
Step 4: Imagine that you are feeling that way now and that you are doing this on purpose. It’s important to imagine that this is happening on purpose so that you can get a feel for what it feels like to be separated from your body.
Step 5: Slowly become aware of the difference between being in your body and being separate from it, i.e., dissociation on purpose. You should become aware of the difference between being separate and being in the same space as your physical body without having any control over how it’s moving or what it’s doing. As soon as you get used to the idea of being separate from your body, then try closing off all other senses except sight (if necessary). You will still be able to hear, smell, taste, touch, and feel but not see anything unless specifically asked for by yourself or another person who is present with you (you may need someone else around to help visualize this step). Make sure that at no time do you lose control of where your eyes should look at all times (i.e., not just randomly look at anything). You should also be aware of the fact that you are still feeling every sensation your body is feeling, but you are no longer a part of it.
Step 6: When you have mastered this step, then slowly become aware of the difference between being in your body and being separate from it, i.e., dissociation on purpose. You should become aware of the difference between being separate and being in the same space as your physical body without having any control over how it’s moving or what it’s doing. As soon as you get used to the idea of being separate from your body, then try closing off all other senses except sight (if necessary). You will still be able to hear, smell, taste, touch, and feel but not see anything unless specifically asked for by yourself or another person who is present with you (you may need someone else around to help visualize this step). Make sure that at no time do you lose control of where your eyes should look at all times (i.e., not just randomly look at anything). You should also be aware of the fact that you are still feeling every sensation your body is feeling, but you are no longer a part of it.
Step 7: When you have mastered this step, then gradually open up all other senses (except sight) one at a time until they come back on their own accord (i.e., sense begins to function again by itself) and you are back in your body. You should be aware at all times that you are not back in your body, but rather that you are separate from it and able to move around freely within the physical world.
Step 8: When you have mastered this step, then gradually close off all other senses (except sight) one at a time until they come back on their own accord (i.e., sense begins to function again by itself) and you are back in your physical body. You should be aware at all times that you are not back in your body, but rather that you are separate from it and able to move around freely within the physical world.
Step 9: When you have mastered this step, then gradually open up all other senses (except sight) one at a time until they come back on their own accord (i.e., sense begins to function again by itself) and you are back in your physical body. You should be aware at all times that you are not back in your body, but rather that you are separate from it and able to move around freely within the physical world.
Step 10: When you have mastered this step, then gradually close off all other senses (except sight) one at a time until they come back on their own accord (i.e., sense begins to function again by itself) and you are back in your physical body. You should be aware at all times that you are not back in your body, but rather that you are separate from it and able to move around freely within the physical world.
What Is Dissociation?
Dissociation, or “disassociation,” is a mental process that disconnects you from your current situation. There are many different forms of dissociation, including – Depersonalization: You feel as though you are an outside observer of your own thoughts and feelings. You aren’t in control of your own experience, thoughts, or feelings. – Derealization: You feel as though the things around you are not real or somehow not “there.” You might even experience hallucinations. – Amnesia or memory loss. You experience gaps in your memories, and you may not remember things that happened during dissociation. – Dysregulated emotions, including feeling like you’re not in control of your emotions. – Switching to autopilot or feeling robotic. You experience a sense of disconnection from yourself. – Loss of sense of identity or feeling that you don’t know who you are. Some people experience this as a feeling of being “not really there.”
Know The Signs Of Dissociation
- You experience a sense of disconnection from yourself.
- You lose awareness of your surroundings.
- You become more sensitive to the environment around you.
- You become more sensitive to your thoughts and feelings.
- Your emotions seem exaggerated and out of control, which can make you feel like nothing is under your control or that you don’t know who you are.
- You have difficulty making decisions because you don’t know what to do or how to act in a particular situation (because nothing seems real).
- You feel disconnected from other people, which can make it difficult for them to understand or relate to your feelings or thoughts. They may not even realize that anything is wrong with you at all!
- You have difficulty recalling specific details about the event(s) that triggered the dissociation. This could be because: – It feels like something happened in a different time period than it actually did – It felt as if someone else was experiencing the event instead of you – The details are just not clear, such as when and where something happened – They are too painful or too upsetting – The memory feels inaccessible, so it seems like something else happened instead
- Your symptoms may continue even when there is no stressor present, such as when: – Someone mentions something that reminds you of an upsetting event (like hearing their voice) – Someone mentions an upsetting event that happened recently (like hearing about another friend or family member who has experienced the same types of events) – You see a place that reminds you of an upsetting event (like seeing a place where someone was injured or died)
- While dissociation is usually caused by a traumatic event, it can also be triggered by: – Negative thoughts and feelings – Being in an uncomfortable environment (like being in a loud, crowded room) – Being around people who are stressed or angry – Feeling trapped and unable to leave your location
Conclusion
Dissociation is a way of coping with stress, trauma, or anxiety. It can help you step away from your current experiences and create space to process your emotions. You can learn how to dissociate on purpose by exercising, meditating, journaling, creating art, or spending time in nature. When dissociating, keep an eye out for the signs of dissociation as well as any changes in your mental health. If you notice a change in your mental health, follow up with your doctor to rule out any potential health issues.
