Dissociation and Chronic Illness

Key points

Dissociation occurs to protect us from the impact of painful experiences.

Dissociation is meant to be temporary, not a longstanding state.

Retuning to the body is accomplished by attuning to external and internal realities.

Small frequent practices of embodiment are recommended; overwhelm is not.

Living with chronic illness often means living in a body that hurts. The pain can be searing or dull; intermittent or constant; affecting the body as a whole or specific body parts. Experiencing pain is a profound experience that can be overwhelming. In response, our minds — in an attempt to cope with what feels unbearable — try to protect us. One way that our minds attempt to manage pain is through dissociation.

What Is Dissociation?

In simplest terms, dissociation is the mind