Dissociation and Covid19

When people think of common responses to trauma, they may say PTSD which can be true however there are others such as dissociation. Dissociation and Covid19 occurs when the brain safeguards a person from a terrible event in the present time. This doesn’t mean the person is immune to the bodily harm that occurs but it can affect the memories. This is seen in survivors of assaults or rape where they can’t recall the details about the perpetrator or of the things that happen to them in that event. For example, a child may have been sexually abused at 4am then goes to school and tell their friend or teacher home is fine. They are not lying what is happening it’s their brain has parcelled that event in a part of the brain that isn’t awake at school. The body can still hurt at school but comments such as ‘sometime you may get achy in gym class’ may have a child thinking running makes their body hurt.

When trauma then dissociation is happening on a regular bases it becomes the default coping mechanism to keep a child then adult safe. However, this can also mean that when an event occurs then it may get parcelled off so much that a teen may not remember much of there childhood years. It can also mean the happy events also get parcelled away such as the day one got married or had a child. Dissociation is on a spectrum where it goes from normal dissociation to more such as dissociative identities or dissociative identity disorder. Some people have more than 100 identities and they have polyfragmented DID. One of these identities may hold the memories of things like a wedding or very negative events.

So where does Covid19 come into this when someone’s reaction to trauma is dissociation? The answer is mixed just like the various reactions to trauma. Many people, myself included, are watching the news a lot as the virus/ death toll has been high worldwide especially in the UK and areas in America such as NYC. Being what is called hypervigilant (alert to threat) has become more common both in those with and without dissociation but not for everyone. So, one can’t really say who maybe effected until it happens and for some the continued connection to Covid19 (could be on the TV, for medical staff seeing it in action, family’s members that either caught it or had loss of life, etc). can shift one’s emotional setting so you might feel panic, lost, sad, frighten, numb and others.

So, what can be done if you are someone that does dissociate? Think about things that help bring you to the present such as going for a walk while socially distancing and the difference in air, environment and sounds can help to pull you a little out of trauma zone. If you have had therapy in the past you might want to write a list of what helped or you heard from your therapist such as taking a number of deep breathes. Do some art or journal – you don’t need lots of supplies just a pen/pencil and paper to draw or write, you can also pull out some art supplies you meant to do in the past but ended up in a cupboard. Art can be anything creative including knitting or redecorating one room. You could also make a blanket nest if your sleep hasn’t been going well; you get blankets, duvet pillows even clothes like coats and put them together so it looks a bit like a nest and then go in it and cover yourself. The kids can help make their own nest to watch kids tv so they feel a bit less anxious. Play music you like singing along to. These are what are known as techniques or tools that help.

Covid19 seems like it will still be around a little while so we may need to continue with these techniques. The confusing responses from politicians can also affect how we feel at the present so keeping the news at a minimum may help. Connection with others online can also be helpful. Remember it is ok to feel emotional or confused because our present is both of these.