What Are the Two Types of Dissociation? Unraveling the Mystery

Honestly, I’ve been thinking about dissociation a lot lately. It’s one of those things that can sound super mysterious, but when you break it down, it’s not as complicated as it seems—well, mostly. So, let’s talk about it. You might have heard the term used in psychology or even in pop culture, but do you really understand what it is? More importantly, do you know the two types of dissociation?

Dissociation: What Does It Actually Mean?

Okay, first things first. Dissociation is a mental process where a person disconnects from their thoughts, feelings, memories, or sense of identity. It sounds intense, right? But it happens more often than you think—sometimes even in everyday situations. Ever been so absorbed in a book or movie that you lose track of time? Or found yourself "zoning out" when someone’s talking? That’s a mild form of dissociation.

I had a friend, let’s call him John, who once told me he’d "blacked out" during a car ride. He wasn't drunk or anything, but he totally lost track of the last 10 minutes. That’s another example of dissociation. It’s not always as extreme as people think, and it can be a coping mechanism for stress, trauma, or just everyday life. But let’s dig deeper into the two main types.

The Two Types of Dissociation: Depersonalization and Derealization

Depersonalization: Feeling Detached from Yourself

Well, depersonalization is probably the more familiar of the two types. It’s when you feel like you're observing yourself from the outside, almost like you're in a movie. You might feel disconnected from your body or like your thoughts aren't really your own. It’s weird and disorienting, but it’s not uncommon.

I remember a time when I was super stressed out at work. One day, I felt like I was going through the motions without actually being in my body. I was speaking to people, answering emails, but it was almost like I was watching myself do it. I didn’t feel "present" at all. That was depersonalization.

Depersonalization can occur after trauma or during times of extreme stress, but it’s also something that happens to people in everyday life when they’re overwhelmed. It’s not necessarily a sign of a mental disorder—it can be a natural reaction to tough situations. But when it becomes chronic, it’s something worth addressing.

Derealization: The World Feels Unreal

Okay, now we get to derealization. It’s similar to depersonalization, but instead of feeling detached from yourself, it’s the world around you that seems unreal. Things may look distorted or dreamlike, like you’re in a fog. Your surroundings might feel distant, or even as if they're not real. Ever had that feeling where everything looks like a scene from a movie or video game? That's derealization.

I know, it sounds a bit unsettling, right? But it’s not as rare as you might think. A friend of mine (let’s call her Sarah) once described walking down the street and feeling like she was looking at everything through a glass screen. It was like the world was there, but it didn’t feel like it was. It was such a weird experience for her, and she was a bit freaked out by it. But she wasn’t having a breakdown or anything; it was just derealization, a form of dissociation triggered by stress and anxiety.

How Are These Two Types of Dissociation Different?

Okay, so you’re probably wondering: how do depersonalization and derealization differ? Honestly, it’s not always easy to tell them apart, but the key difference is what you’re detached from. With depersonalization, you're feeling disconnected from yourself. With derealization, it's the external world that feels disconnected. It’s subtle, but it’s there.

Sometimes, it can be tough to distinguish between them in the moment, especially if you're going through a lot of stress. But understanding what’s going on in your head can help you deal with it better, trust me.

Why Does Dissociation Happen?

Okay, let’s be real for a second. Dissociation, whether it's depersonalization or derealization, can be unsettling. But it’s not something you should panic about. It can happen for various reasons, like trauma, anxiety, or overwhelming stress. It’s basically the mind’s way of coping when it can’t handle what’s going on.

For me, the first time I experienced depersonalization was during a particularly rough period at work. The stress was building up, and I found myself feeling detached, almost like I wasn’t in control of my own body. But once I took time to slow down, take care of my mental health, and deal with my stress, it started to fade.

When Should You Seek Help?

If you’re experiencing these dissociative episodes frequently, especially if they’re interfering with your daily life, it might be time to seek professional help. It’s not something you should ignore or just "deal with" on your own. There are mental health professionals who can help you navigate through it, whether it’s through therapy, stress management techniques, or other treatments.

For me, I eventually sought help after that long period of stress. Therapy helped me learn how to manage anxiety and stress, which ultimately stopped the dissociation episodes.

Conclusion: Understanding and Managing Dissociation

So, yeah, dissociation is a real thing, and the two main types—depersonalization and derealization—are not as mysterious as they seem. The key takeaway here is that these experiences are often linked to stress, trauma, or emotional overwhelm. It’s your brain’s way of protecting itself, but that doesn’t mean you have to just live with it.

If you're experiencing it regularly, talking to a therapist or mental health professional can really help. And remember, it’s okay to seek help—it doesn’t mean you’re broken; it just means you’re human.

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.