Understanding and Overcoming Disassociation: A Personal Journey

Have you ever felt as though you are looking out of your eyes through binoculars or watching someone else live your life? This feeling of disassociation can be unsettling and may indicate underlying issues that need attention.

Disassociation is a common symptom among those who have experienced trauma or grief. It can range from short moments of feeling disconnected to more prolonged periods where one feels like an outsider in their own life. If you are experiencing this, you are not alone, but it is essential to address it promptly.

Trauma and Disassociation

Disassociation often occurs in response to traumatic experiences. In my own experience, I have had moments where I didn't feel real anymore. Trauma can make it feel like events are happening to someone else, rather than to you. This sensation can be deeply troubling and may not always be immediately understood or recognized.

Seeking Professional Help

The first step in addressing disassociation is to seek professional help. Consulting with a therapist or counselor who is experienced in trauma can provide you with the necessary support and guidance. If you are too uncomfortable or intimidated to see a professional, talking with friends or support groups can also provide relief. Often, it is not the words themselves that matter, but the ability to express and release emotions and thoughts.

Engaging in these conversations, even with strangers, can provide a sense of validation and understanding. Sharing your experience with others can also help you process it more effectively. Energy and empathy from others can sometimes be as powerful as words.

Practical Steps for Coping

In addition to seeking professional help, there are practical steps you can take to manage disassociation:

Spend Time in Nature: Being in natural settings can help ground you and bring a sense of peace. Nature therapy has been shown to reduce anxiety and stress, which can help alleviate feelings of disassociation. Read and Explore: Engage with books and resources that focus on self-healing and personal growth. Reading about how to connect with oneself can provide valuable insights and tools. Practice Self-Care: Take time to nurture your soul and spirit. Soul connection is crucial for maintaining a sense of self and reality.

Remember, it's important to be gentle with yourself as you navigate through these challenging experiences. Addressing trauma and disassociation requires time, patience, and support.

Personal Reflections on Disassociation

Other individuals who have experienced disassociation understand the feeling deeply. One person who posted on a forum wrote:

Sometimes I feel like I’m looking out of my eyes through binoculars or watching someone else live my life. I have moments where I don’t feel real anymore. Why does this happen and how can I stop it?

The response provided by another individual was insightful:

It sounds like you’ve been disassociating for a while. Perhaps you’ve been disassociating for days or even months. It’s normal when you have trauma. Try to talk to a professional but even talking with strangers about how you feel helps. Obviously, not all people are capable of listening or even giving good words of advice. I find that sometimes it’s not even the words but the energy and the fact that you can express and let out some of your emotions or thoughts.

Spend time in nature. Read a book about how to be with oneself. You’re probably grieving soul connection as well. The good news is that you can always find and nurture and don’t let die the soul connection with your own self, spirit, soul, etc.

The question also led to further reflections:

It almost seems like an absurd question. I completely understand it takes focus when I get like that and grounding, self-control.

The ‘and someone else is living it’ part of the question gives me pause. I have experienced detachment while amid trauma, as though my consciousness were trapped in a corner of my mind, able to observe and unable to act. That is a relatively frequent, if uncommon, phenomenon that accompanies trauma, especially assault on your person.

If you are experiencing this detachment frequently enough that you feel dispossessed in your own corporeal form, I strongly urge you to seek immediate assistance from a licensed health professional. Make a next available-style appointment with your primary care physician who will be quick to note their lack of expertise in these matters and will give you the necessary referrals. Request outpatient therapeutic care. That way no matter what they’ve recommended, you’ll be thought of as sane and not labeled a drug-seeker.

Good luck.

These personal stories and reflections highlight the complexity of disassociation. It is essential to address the issue with care and support to regain a sense of self and reality.