Dissociation is a natural psychological phenomenon that nearly everyone experiences to some degree at some point in their lives. Mild dissociation can be quite common and can manifest as daydreaming, getting lost in thought, or experiencing a temporary feeling of disconnection from the immediate surroundings. For example, have you ever driven a familiar route and arrived at your destination without recalling parts of the journey? That's a form of mild dissociation.
However, not everyone experiences more significant or chronic forms of dissociation. Dissociative experiences can range from mild and transient to severe and long-lasting, such as those seen in dissociative disorders. Dissociative disorders are diagnosable mental health conditions characterized by persistent and disruptive dissociation that interferes with a person's daily life, memory, identity, or consciousness.
It's essential to distinguish between typical, occasional dissociative experiences and dissociation severe enough to qualify as a disorder. If someone's dissociation is causing distress or impairment in their life, they should consider seeking professional help from a mental health provider experienced in dealing with dissociative disorders.