Trauma and Dissociation

Trauma can be a one-time event such as a natural disaster or act of violence, or ongoing such as childhood abuse or neglect. Dissociation is considered to be a coping strategy that people use to block out or mentally escape from stressful or traumatic events.

There is a strong link between childhood trauma, the ability to dissociate, and dissociative disorders later in life. While dissociation can help get you through difficult or unbearable events, chronic use of dissociation can actually remove you from present-day reality even when no threats are present. Being able to relax your nervous system, process and overcome trauma, and find inner peace can help you heal.