Best Treatments for Dissociation
By Christina Fenske
There are several treatments that have been found to be effective for dissociation. The specific treatment plan will depend on the individual’s needs and the type of dissociation they are experiencing.
- Psychotherapy: Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) are two types of therapy that have been found to be effective for treating dissociation. CBT focuses on helping the individual identify and change negative patterns of thinking and behavior, while EMDR involves recalling traumatic memories while engaging in a specific type of eye movement, which can help to process and integrate the memories.
- Trauma-focused therapy: Trauma-focused therapies, such as prolonged exposure therapy and cognitive processing therapy, are specifically designed to help individuals process and cope with traumatic memories. These therapies can help reduce symptoms of dissociation by helping the individual make sense of their experiences and learn to cope with any lingering emotional distress.
- Medications: Antidepressant and anti-anxiety medications may be prescribed to help reduce symptoms of dissociation. These medications can help alleviate symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and irritability that often accompany dissociation.
- Supportive therapy: Supportive therapy can include emotional support, guidance and education, and it’s usually provided by a therapist, counselor, or other mental health professional. This type of therapy can help the individual understand their symptoms, build coping skills and resilience, and improve overall functioning.
- Self-care: Self-care practices such as mindfulness, yoga, and regular exercise can help to reduce stress and improve overall well-being.
It’s important to note that dissociation can be a symptom of other mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, borderline personality disorder and PTSD. It’s always important to seek professional help from a mental health professional to rule out underlying conditions and to find appropriate treatment.
In summary, effective treatments for dissociation can include psychotherapy, trauma-focused therapy, medications, supportive therapy, and self-care practices. It’s important to work with a mental health professional to determine the best treatment plan for an individual’s specific needs.
Strategies in Coping with Dissociation
Dissociation can be a challenging experience, but there are strategies that can be used to cope with it. Here are some examples:
- Identify triggers: Keep a diary or journal of your dissociative experiences, noting the time, place, and circumstances that preceded each episode. This can help you identify triggers and avoid or prepare for them in the future.
- Grounding techniques: Grounding techniques can help to anchor you in the present moment and reduce feelings of dissociation. Examples include:
- Focusing on your senses (what you see, hear, feel, smell, taste)
- Doing a body scan and noticing your physical sensations
- Using deep breathing or progressive muscle relaxation
- Engaging in physical activities such as exercise or yoga
- Practice mindfulness: Mindfulness practices, such as meditation or yoga, can help you become more aware of your thoughts and feelings and reduce feelings of dissociation.
- Connect with others: Talking to a trusted friend or family member, or seeking support from a therapist or counselor, can help you to feel more understood and less alone in your experiences.
- Prioritize self-care: Taking care of your physical, emotional and mental well-being is important in coping with dissociation. Engage in activities that you enjoy, get enough sleep, eat well, and exercise regularly.
- Seek professional help: As dissociation can be a symptom of other mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, borderline personality disorder and PTSD. It’s always important to seek professional help from a mental health professional to rule out underlying conditions and to find appropriate treatment.
In summary, coping with dissociation can be challenging, but there are strategies that can be used, such as identifying triggers, grounding techniques, practicing mindfulness, connecting with others, prioritizing self-care, and seeking professional help. Working with a therapist or counselor can also be beneficial in developing coping strategies that are tailored to your individual needs.
Check out some of the other articles related to dissociation. We have one about trauma that you may be interested in here.
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