dissociative disorder

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Explanation of "Dissociative Disorder"

Definition: A "dissociative disorder" is a type of mental health condition where a person experiences a breakdown in their normal sense of self or consciousness. This can make them feel disconnected from themselves, their thoughts, or their surroundings.

Advanced Usage:

• In clinical psychology, there are different types of dissociative disorders, such as Dissociative Identity Disorder (previously known as Multiple Personality Disorder) and Depersonalization/Derealization Disorder.

Word Variants:

• Dissociation (noun): The act of disconnecting or separating from one's thoughts or feelings.
  • Example: "During stressful situations, she often experiences dissociation."
• Dissociative (adjective): Related to or characterized by dissociation.
  • Example: "His dissociative symptoms make it difficult for him to engage with reality."

Different Meanings:

• Dissociation can also refer to a normal psychological process where a person feels detached from their body or surroundings (like daydreaming), not just a disorder.
• In a non-psychological context, it can refer to the separation of a compound into its individual components in chemistry.

Synonyms:

• Disconnection
• Detachment
• Disengagement

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• "Check out": Informally means to disconnect or leave a situation mentally.

  • Example: "I tend to check out when I’m bored in a meeting."

• "Zone out": To lose focus or become unaware of your surroundings.

Academic

Noun

1. dissociation so severe that the usually integrated functions of consciousness and perception of self break down