10 Ways to Fight Dissociation in Relationships

When it comes to dissociation, this can negatively affect a person’s life and relationships. It occurs when someone starts to lose their sense of reality. Doing this can be problematic and upsetting in most cases.

Please read this article to learn more about the condition, why it happens, and how to alleviate the disorder. It will also show you how to stop dissociation in relationships.

What is dissociation in relationships?

Before understanding how to stop dissociation in relationships, it is important to understand what the term means and how it affects relationships.

You may be familiar with the term “zoning out,” you can think about this when trying to understand dissociation. 

When someone zones out, they stop focusing on the task and think about something else. At times, they may even stare into space. This is considered to be okay, and it might even help you achieve more.

Dissociation occurs when a person essentially separates themselves from the present time and where they are. This is generally brought on by stress or after a traumatic event. 

Dissociation in relationships is no different, besides the fact that it affects more than one person since your partner may be just as affected as you are, depending on your actions. 

This is why you may be interested in hearing more about how to stop dissociation in relationships.

To find out even more about how to stop dissociation in relationships, go ahead and watch this video:

Types of dissociation

Before understanding ways of tackling dissociation in relationships, the experts have observed different types of dissociations. And it is usually based on the reason behind the dissociation. 

There are a few types of dissociation examples that you should be familiar with when learning more about how to stop dissociation.

1. Post-traumatic dissociation

In some instances, you may experience dissociation because you are exposed to something that distresses you or experiences an event that changes your life suddenly, such as the death of a loved one, divorce, or job loss.

This type of dissociation is not considered a mental health condition, and you should be able to stop dissociation after a few days.

2. Dissociative amnesia

If someone experiences dissociative amnesia, they have possibly forgotten traumatic experiences they have lived through. While this is considered a mental health condition, it isn’t harmful to your mental well-being. 

At the same time, it can cause a person to forget important information about who they are.

If this happens to you or a loved one, you may want to talk to them about seeing a therapist.

3. Depersonalization disorder

This disorder can be troubling since it can change a person’s life and routine. With depersonalization disorder, someone will not have a sense of their own body.

In other words, they are likely to feel like they are looking at their body from outside of it and that the things they see are not necessarily accurate. This is another condition where you may need to consider psychotherapy to manage your dissociation symptoms anxiety.

4. Dissociative identity disorder

Also known as DID, this disorder is considered to be very serious. If a person is affected by it, they may develop many personalities to help them cope with the abuse or trauma they have experienced throughout their life.

A person who experiences DID will likely need to undergo therapy and consider taking medications.

How dissociation affects relationships

Dissociation can affect any relationship in a large number of ways. For example, if your partner experiences dissociation, they might not be able to be there for you when you need them to be.

They may also have difficulties when it comes to dealing with anxiety and stress, where you are unable to talk to them or help them. Sometimes, a couple might not interact with each other meaningfully.

If you are interested in how to stop dissociation anxiety, you should talk to them about couples therapy. Going through therapy together may be a way to strengthen your relationship. It could allow you to learn how to stop someone from dissociating.

Symptoms of dissociation

Dissociation and anxiety can go hand-in-hand for some people. However, some symptoms are present when experiencing dissonance in a relationship.

Here are a few symptoms related to dissociation. You may experience these symptoms yourself or note them in a loved one. Either way, they are key to determining how to stop dissociation in relationships.

• No concept of time
• Feeling like the world is bland
• Feeling like you are in a simulation
• Inability to feel emotions
• Unrealistic perceptions
• Changes in behavior
• Feeling like you aren’t present in the moment
• Feeling like you aren’t always the same person
• Inability to feel pain
• Focused on a world that isn’t real
• Flashbacks
• Forgetting little things

Why does dissociation happen

Dissociation can affect a person for several different reasons. They may have been exposed to abuse, traumatic experiences or have recently been stressed out or anxious.

Some instances that may lead to dissociation are reminders of a traumatic event, abusive relationships, or a large upheaval in someone’s life. A handful of things may trigger someone to experience a period of dissociation.

If you experience dissociation, you may wonder how to stop dissociating. One way is to figure out what your triggers may be. If you can isolate the things that cause you to dissociate, you can limit how often it happens.

How to deal with dissociation in relationships

Emotional dissociation in a relationship can cause a lot of distress and infuse negativity into the relationship. So, it is better to resolve this problem once you notice the concerning signs mentioned above.

If you are interested in finding out more about how to stop dissociation in relationships, here are a few things that may make a difference.

1. Take care of your physical health

One of the first strategies for stopping dissociation that you should think about is getting your physical health checked out. When you get evaluated and receive a clean bill of health, this can be the first step into addressing your overall health. 

It can also lower your stress levels. On the other hand, if you find out that you have a physical ailment, you will have a chance to treat it.

Related Reading: 7 Reasons Why Exercising Together Will Improve Your Relationship

2. Take care of your mental health

Another one of the ways to stop dissociation that you should consider is to take advantage of mental health support. Taking advantage of psychotherapy and other forms of therapy can be beneficial when trying to lessen the effects of dissociation. 

Talk to a therapist and see what advice they have to offer. They will likely talk to you about specific strategies to consider and inform you about the options available.

3. Get enough sleep

It may not seem like a big deal, but getting a good night’s sleep is pretty important. Adults should get around 6-8 hours of sleep each night to keep their bodies and mental health in good working condition.

4. Balance your diet

Another one of the most important tips for relationship dissociation is to address your diet. If you are not eating a healthy and balanced diet, do your best to change how you eat. 

You can search online for diet plans or healthy foods that you want to try. It is a good idea to attempt to make many of your meals if possible, so you’ll know exactly what is in the food you are eating. 

However, if this isn’t possible, you should do what you can to incorporate more fruits and vegetables into your diet because they can add the vitamins and minerals that you need. It is also important to stay hydrated, so consider your water intake and if you are drinking enough.

5. Practice mindfulness

When it comes to dissociation and how to stop it, you should learn more about mindfulness. A therapist can discuss this and will likely be able to offer guidance on accomplishing it. 

Mindfulness involves keeping yourself in the moment so you don’t allow your mind to wander. Different techniques can help with this, and it can also be easy to address at times.

Related Reading: Improve Your Relationship with Mindfulness and Meditation

6. Keep a journal

You can also keep a journal if you are at a loss for what to do when dissociating. If you can write down what is happening, when it is happening, and how you feel, this may allow you to understand the causes and triggers that affect you. 

Once you can identify the triggers, you can limit your exposure to them to lessen your dissociation episodes. This can be something that changes your life.

Of course, this is also something that you should discuss with a therapist if you are working with one. They will be able to provide information to make the most of your journaling.

Related Reading: 5 Ways How Writing a Self-Esteem Journal Can Save Your Marriage

7. Start an exercise regimen

Beginning a new exercise routine can help you when it comes to dissociating. If you exercise regularly, you should be able to work off some of your stress, and it may also allow you to sleep more soundly at night. 

Just a few hours a week could profoundly affect how you feel. You can start by walking around the block or swimming a few laps at the gym.

8. Be kind to yourself

Being nice to yourself is another one of the many ways to stop dissociating. Some people may attempt to hurt themselves when they are experiencing dissociation disorders. It is important to refrain from trying to harm yourself physically or mentally. 

If you want to hurt yourself, you should always let someone know. You shouldn’t think of yourself in a negative light either, as this can also damage your self-worth. 

Remember, you can reach out for support from the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline if you ever need to at 1-800-273-8255. Moreover, you can talk to your therapist about any negative talk you are experiencing inside your head.

Check out this video to learn more about how to be kinder to yourself:

9. Use your senses

Another way to stay in the moment when you dissociate is to use your senses. Focus on things across from you in the room and go over their names in your head. This can remind you where you are and that you are safe. 

You can also try other exercises like naming all the colors you can see or remembering everything in your refrigerator. Think of it as a game to make it more interesting.

10. Touch something

It may be beneficial to touch something around you when you feel like you are dissociating or are about to dissociate. This can keep you aware of your location and time to be aware of your surroundings. 

You may find benefit in leaning on your other senses as well. Think of what you can smell or hear and recite these things out loud.

Some commonly asked questions

Dissociation can lead to many harmful symptoms that might be hard to understand on your own. However, answers to certain questions can give you some clarity about dissociation in relationships.

• How do you date someone with dissociation?

If you are considering dating someone with dissociation disorder, you can consider being extremely patient with them. Try to see things from their perspective and do some research on your own. Further, you can encourage them to go to therapy sessions.

• Can anxiety cause dissociation?

Yes, anxiety and other mental pressures can lead to dissociation in some instances when the symptoms of the problem start making a person distance themselves from their environment. 

You might experience a change where you dissociate from the person you are in love with and the relationship shared with them. You can consider entering relationship counseling if this happens to you. 

Final takeaway

There are numerous strategies to consider when trying to find out how to stop dissociation in relationships. This is the case whether you are experiencing dissociation or your loved one is affected. 

You may not see a change right away, but it can happen when you take the time to address possible triggers or trauma you have experienced in the past.

You can take steps to address your overall health, and you may talk to a therapist to see what they suggest as part of a treatment plan for you.

Keep in mind that there is plenty of help you can take advantage of, and, in many instances, dissociation isn’t permanent or considered irreparable. There is hope when you reflect on how to stop dissociation in relationships.

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Rachael Pace Author

Rachael Pace is a noted relationship writer associated with Marriage.com. She provides inspiration, support, and empowerment in the form of motivational articles and essays. Rachael enjoys studying the evolution of loving partnerships... Read more and is passionate about writing on them. She believes that everyone should make room for love in their lives and encourages couples to work on overcoming their challenges together. Read less

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