Why Do I Keep Dissociating? Understanding a Common Trauma Response
Have you ever had moments where you “check out,” lose track of time, or feel like you’re watching your life from the outside? Maybe your body is in the room—but your mind is miles away. That’s dissociation. And for many trauma survivors, it’s more common than you think.
Dissociation is not a sign that something’s wrong with you. It’s a sign that something happened to you.
What Is Dissociation, Really?
At its core, dissociation is your brain’s way of protecting you. When overwhelm becomes too much for your nervous system to process—whether from a traumatic event or ongoing emotional stress—your mind pulls the emergency brake.
You might:
Feel foggy, numb, or disconnected from your body
Zone out during conversations or feel like time skips
Feel like the world around you is distant, like a dream
Go through the motions without really “being there”
These aren’t flaws—they’re adaptive survival responses. Especially for people who experienced trauma early in life or had to shut down emotionally to stay safe.
Why Does It Happen?
Dissociation often starts as a way to cope with what feels unbearable. If you grew up in an environment where emotions weren’t safe—or where you had to stay hyperaware of others’ moods—it might have felt safer to disconnect from your own internal experience.
Over time, dissociation becomes automatic. Your nervous system learns that “checking out” is the fastest way to find relief from overwhelm, fear, or even boredom that feels unsafe.
The Problem: When Dissociation Becomes a Default
While dissociation may have helped you survive, it can also leave you feeling stuck. You might struggle to:
Stay present in relationships
Feel connected to your emotions
Trust your gut instincts
Remember parts of your life clearly
It can feel confusing—especially if, on the outside, you seem “fine.” But internally, there’s a sense of numbness, detachment, or even shame about not being able to just be present.
How EMDR Therapy Can Help
One of the most powerful tools I use in therapy to work with dissociation is EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing). Unlike talk therapy, EMDR helps access and process the body-based memories that are often behind dissociative patterns—without needing to retell your trauma in detail.
Here’s how EMDR supports healing from dissociation:
It gently helps reconnect the mind and body
It allows your nervous system to process overwhelming experiences at your own pace
It helps transform the belief that “I’m not safe” into something more grounded and true
Clients often report feeling more present, embodied, and emotionally connected as they move through EMDR. Dissociation doesn’t just get managed—it starts to shift.
You’re Not Broken. You’re Protecting.
If you dissociate, it doesn’t mean you’re broken. It means your nervous system found a way to protect you when you didn’t have other options.
The good news? Healing is possible. You can learn to feel more connected to yourself, your body, and your life.
Curious whether EMDR is the right next step for your healing journey?
I offer virtual EMDR therapy to adults throughout California and Nevada, with a focus on trauma recovery, nervous system healing, and lasting change.
📍 Learn more or schedule a consultation at: www.MyEMDRLA.com
Michelle Nosrati, LCSW
Trauma Specialist | EMDR Therapist
Licensed in California & Nevada
Secure Telehealth Services Available
www.MyEMDRLA.com