Understanding Dissociation: Signs, Symptoms, and Brain-Based Treatment Options
Dissociation is one of the most misunderstood mental health experiences—but it’s incredibly common. Many people live with dissociation without realizing what’s happening or why their mind seems to “check out” during stress, conflict, or emotional overwhelm.
In our practice, we specialize in brain-based therapy for dissociation, including neurofeedback and EMDR therapy, which help clients reconnect with their bodies, regulate their nervous systems, and safely process the root causes of dissociation.
Whether you experience mild spacing out or more intense detachment, this article will help you understand what dissociation is, why it happens, and how modern brain-based treatments can contribute long-term healing.
What Is Dissociation?
Dissociation is the brain’s way of protecting you when it senses danger or emotional overload. Instead of going into fight-or-flight, the mind might:
shut down
disconnect
numb out
escape inward
There can shame around dissociation when we begin to realize it's a stress response. But dissociation is not a weakness—it’s a survival strategy. Many people experience dissociation related to:
trauma or adverse childhood experiences
chronic stress
emotional neglect
overwhelming anxiety
sensory overload
long-term nervous system dysregulation
Understanding dissociation is the first step toward healing it.
Common Signs and Symptoms of Dissociation
Dissociation, like so many mental states, exists on a spectrum. For some people, it shows up subtly; for others, it can be intense and disruptive.
Here are the most common signs of dissociation:
1. Feeling “Checked Out” or Numb
A sense of emotional flatness or detachment from feelings.
2. Losing Time or Having Memory Gaps
You may not remember parts of conversations, events, or your day.
3. Feeling Disconnected From Yourself
A sense of watching yourself from the outside, or feeling like you’re not fully in your body.
4. Feeling Disconnected From Reality
The world may feel foggy, dreamlike, or unreal.
5. Difficulty Focusing
Trouble staying present, hearing information, or staying engaged in tasks.
6. Automatic or Robotic Behavior
Going through the motions without feeling mentally “there.”
7. Emotional Shutdown During Conflict
You may freeze, go blank, or feel like you disappeared inside.
Dissociation becomes problematic when it interferes with daily life, relationships, or functioning—or when you feel you have no control over it.
Why Dissociation Happens: The Brain-Based Explanation
Dissociation is fundamentally a nervous system response. When the brain perceives danger and believes fight or flight won’t work, it may shift into:
freeze
shutdown
collapse
detachment
This is regulated by neural circuits in the brain responsible for threat detection and survival. Over time, if someone experiences repeated stress or trauma, the brain learns that dissociation is the safest option—and begins using it even during non-dangerous situations.
This is why many people say:
“I go numb when emotions get too big.”
“I disappear inside during arguments.”
“My brain shuts down without warning.”
It’s not intentional—your brain is doing exactly what it learned to do to keep you safe.
Brain-Based Treatment Options for Dissociation
Healing dissociation is absolutely possible, especially when treatments address the nervous system, not just thoughts or behaviors. The most effective approaches help retrain the brain to feel safe enough to stay present.
Below are two of the most research-backed, brain-based treatments available.
1. Neurofeedback Therapy for Dissociation
Neurofeedback helps stabilize the brain and reduce the shutdown patterns that contribute to dissociation. It trains brainwave activity so the nervous system feels calmer, more regulated, and more connected.
Potential benefits of neurofeedback for dissociation include:
increasing here and now presence
improved emotional regulation
decreased freeze and shutdown responses
greater focus and awareness
greater ability to stay connected during therapy
reduced overwhelm and nervous system overload
Many clients report that neurofeedback helps them feel “anchored” in their body in a way they’ve never felt before.
2. EMDR Therapy for Dissociation
EMDR therapy is one of the most powerful tools for treating trauma, which is often at the root of dissociation. But EMDR is especially effective because it:
helps reprocess traumatic memories
reduces the need for dissociation as a coping mechanism
integrates fragmented experiences
builds the brain’s tolerance for emotional material
strengthens the ability to stay present during stress
EMDR helps the brain complete the processing that dissociation has been blocking. For clients with significant dissociation, EMDR is often paired with stabilization work and nervous system strengthening before deeper reprocessing begins. This ensures therapy feels safe, grounded, and productive.
Why Combining Neurofeedback + EMDR Works Best
For many clients, dissociation is rooted both in brainwave dysregulation and unprocessed trauma. This is why combining neurofeedback and EMDR often leads to the fastest, most stable improvements. Together, they help clients:
build nervous system capacity
stay present and grounded
process trauma without shutting down
reduce dissociative episodes
increase emotional resilience
reconnect with their bodies
strengthen long-term stability
This integrated approach treats dissociation at the source—not just the symptoms.
Dissociation is a natural response to overwhelming experiences, but it doesn’t have to remain your default. With the right support, your brain can learn new patterns, reconnect with your body, and feel safe enough to stay present. Our practice specializes in neurofeedback therapy, EMDR therapy, and trauma-informed treatment designed specifically for clients struggling with dissociation. If you’re ready to feel more grounded, more connected, and more in control, we’re here to help.
Written by: Mary Beth Stevens, LPCC, BCN