We believe we understand ourselves by first being understood.

Understanding one of the nervous system’s most protective responses

Dissociation is something I talk about a lot.

And one of the things I find most interesting about it is how often people don’t actually know they’re dissociating.

Sometimes it looks the way we might expect.

I don’t feel real.

The room looks strange.

I feel like I’m watching myself from somewhere else.

I lost time.

But sometimes it’s much quieter.

You were feeling something and suddenly… you’re not.

Someone asks what you’re experiencing and your mind goes completely blank.

You’re telling a painful story, but you can explain it almost like you’re giving a presentation.

You realize you’ve been nodding through a conversation and haven’t taken in a word.

You know you’re upset, but you can’t actually find the feeling anymore.

You feel foggy.

Far away.

Very, very tired.

Or perhaps you’re completely functional.

You’re working. Talking. Parenting. Answering emails. Getting things done.

And yet somehow, you’re...