How Does 5 Signs You're Experiencing Dissociation Work?

You might be feeling like you're playing pretend when you're really just tired or stressed, that’s dissociation.

Imagine you’re playing with your favorite toy, and suddenly it feels like the toy is far away, like it's in another room. That’s what happens during dissociation, parts of your brain feel like they're not all together anymore.

1. You forget where you are. It's like you were playing with blocks in the living room, and then suddenly you're sitting at the table, but you don't remember walking there.
2. Your body feels different. Your legs might feel heavy or floaty, like they're made of pillows instead of bones.
3. You hear things but aren’t sure if they’re real. It's like someone is whispering in your ear, but you’re not sure it’s really happening.
4. Time feels stretched out or squished together. A few minutes might feel like hours, or a whole day can pass by without realizing it.
5. You feel like you're watching yourself from far away. It's like you're sitting on the couch, but you see yourself standing in front of the TV, like you're in a play!

Dissociation is just your brain taking a little break when things get too much.