Lecture Notes: Understanding and Living with Dissociation
Introduction to Dissociation
- Dissociation is a coping mechanism often linked to trauma.
- It involves feeling detached from one's body or surroundings, like watching life from behind a glass wall or through a movie.
- Can lead to a disorder when it causes impairment.
Personal Experience with Dissociation
- Speaker, Jen, shares her experience with a dissociative disorder, specifically depersonalization and derealization (DPDR).
- Depersonalization: Detachment from one's body.
- Derealization: Detachment from the world around.
- Describes the sensation as feeling extremely removed and unreal.
Influence on Photography
- Dissociation impacts Jen’s photography, inspiring a fragmented style.
- Projects emotion and sensation of dissociation into her work.
- Photography allows control over dissociative experiences, making beauty from fear.
Managing Dissociation
- Jen uses medication for depression and anxiety; a blood pressure medication helps calm her.
- Colors, particularly saturated ones, are grounding, pulling Jen into the present.
- Experience of an anxiety attack described as a sudden overwhelming sensation.
Therapy and Coping Strategies
- Jen has been in therapy since age 14.
- Currently undergoing EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy.
- Helps process painful memories through controlled eye movement.
- Therapist aids in recognizing dissociation during sessions.
- Emphasis on breathing and centering in the body.
Challenges in Social Interactions
- Dissociation affects stamina in conversations.
- Causes physical strain due to disconnect and stress.
- Recent increase in dissociation due to life stress.
Connection and Awareness
- Dissociation makes it hard to connect with others.
- Jen's project aims to create awareness and understanding of dissociation.
- Received feedback acknowledging shared experiences and struggles with dissociation.
Broader Reflections
- Dissociation as a societal issue; a disconnected society leads to disconnected individuals.
- Jen believes in the importance of facing discomfort rather than reacting to it.
- Hopes to inspire questions and encourage connection to reduce dissociative experiences.
Conclusion: Understanding dissociation as both a personal and societal issue is crucial. Jen's experiences highlight the need for awareness, empathy, and more open dialogue to foster connection and healing.