Understanding Dissociation: How Our Brain Reacts to Danger

Dissociation happens when we lose track of time, our voice goes monotone, and we “space out.”

We’re physically present but mentally gone.

HERE’S WHY: pic.twitter.com/1qh2rnrtCs

— Dr. Nicole LePera (@Theholisticpsyc) April 7, 2023

Our amygdala is the part of the brain that senses danger.

When our amygdala is activated, we go into protection mode. The brain has one objective: to survive.

— Dr. Nicole LePera (@Theholisticpsyc) April 7, 2023

If we stay in activation (survival) state for extended periods, our body goes into Dorsal Vagal Shutdown. This is a protection mode because the mind can no longer be in the present moment.

— Dr. Nicole LePera (@Theholisticpsyc) April 7, 2023

This is called dissociation.

Dissociation allows us to function (seemingly) normally. But we also struggle to form memories or connect with people around us because we’ve left the body.

— Dr. Nicole LePera (@Theholisticpsyc) April 7, 2023

Children who begin patterns of dissociation, will continue to dissociate as adults any time they are in a situation that triggers their core wounding.

This means we might *feel* threatened even in the absence of real danger.

— Dr. Nicole LePera (@Theholisticpsyc) April 7, 2023

For example: a boss makes a critical comment, you meet someone very similar to an abusive parent, or you’re put on the spot when you didn’t expect it.

This is what “the body keeps score means.”

— Dr. Nicole LePera (@Theholisticpsyc) April 7, 2023

The body sees these experiences as a threat to survival and our autonomic nervous system dissociated to protect us.

— Dr. Nicole LePera (@Theholisticpsyc) April 7, 2023

When we’re dissociated we:
- speak in monotone or a flat voice
- are disengaged and spaced out
- our posture shifts (shoulders hunched)
- we have minimal movement (freeze mode)
- don’t remember what happened
- feel foggy or confused

— Dr. Nicole LePera (@Theholisticpsyc) April 7, 2023

If you’ve had long term dissociation you might not remember periods of your life, or people might tell you you don’t seem “all there.”

— Dr. Nicole LePera (@Theholisticpsyc) April 7, 2023

Healing patterns of dissociation means learning to stay in your body and sit with uncomfortable emotions. As well as moving the body to move the sympathetic energy.

— Dr. Nicole LePera (@Theholisticpsyc) April 7, 2023

Slow deep breathing will ground you in the body and send signals of safety to your body. This will help you stay in a parasympathetic state.

— Dr. Nicole LePera (@Theholisticpsyc) April 7, 2023

Safe relationships with a therapist, a partner, or close friends also help us heal because we can trust and vulnerable (no longer in threat mode.)

— Dr. Nicole LePera (@Theholisticpsyc) April 7, 2023

Coming out of dissociation feels like a thawing. Like you’re coming back to life after being frozen, shut down, or completely detached.

— Dr. Nicole LePera (@Theholisticpsyc) April 7, 2023