Dissociation Experiences

Dissociation

A disruption or discontinuity in the normal integration of consciousness, memory, identity, emotion, perception, body representation, motor control, and behavior.

Depersonalization

The feeling of being detached from one’s own body, mind, or sense of self (e.g., feeling like an outside observer, numb limbs, or disconnected from one’s reflection).

Derealization

The feeling that one’s surroundings are unreal, dreamlike, foggy, artificial, or distant.

Dissociative Amnesia

Inability to recall important personal information, usually of a traumatic or stressful nature, that goes beyond ordinary forgetfulness.

Dissociative Fugue

Reversible amnesia where a person unexpectedly travels away from home or work and may adopt a new identity or experience confusion about their primary identity.

Autoscopy

Experiencing oneself as being outside one’s physical body while seeing oneself from that external perspective.

Somatoform Dissociation

Dissociative manifestations expressed physically in the body (e.g., unexplained non-epileptic seizures, sudden blindness, motor paralysis, or severe pain without physical cause).

Intrusive Recall / Flashbacks

Re-experiencing traumatic events involuntarily. Ranges from visual memory fragments to somatic (body) flashbacks where physical sensations recur, and can be visual, auditory, somatic, or emotional.

Trigger

An internal or external stimulus (sound, sight, memory, sensory input) that brings up intense trauma memories, emotional responses, or involuntary dissociation.

Trance State

A temporary alteration in consciousness characterized by unresponsiveness to environmental stimuli and focused internal absorption.

Time Loss

Missing minutes, hours, or longer stretches of time when another part or alter was in control of executive functioning.