Teen Dissociation: Feeling Detached from Reality and How to Help
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 70% of people report having experienced a trauma or extreme stress situation in their lifetime. And in the US, that number jumps to 89%.1 One of the most common reactions to trauma is dissociation, and while most people will experience a minor episode, 7% of the population may experience a dissociative disorder.2
The good news is that adolescents can develop awareness around their mental health and learn new, healthy coping skills for dealing with trauma. As such, it’s invaluable for the adults supporting teens to learn as much as they can about teen dissociation to guide them. The following article will outline:
What teen dissociation is- Risk factors and causes of dissociation in teens
- Dissociative symptoms in adolescents
- Early intervention and grounding techniques for teens
- What to do when you have concerns
What Is Dissociation in Teens?
Some teens may experience mild instances of dissociation, and these symptoms may go away by themselves, without the need for intervention. However, other teens may develop a dissociative disorder, which could lead to more serious gaps in time or even feelings of detachment from their life in general. In these instances, getting therapeutic support is paramount to recovery.
Types of Dissociative Disorders in Teens
The term ‘dissociative disorders’ encompasses a variety of conditions linked to dissociation. The three main types of dissociative disorders are:
- Depersonalization-derealization disorder (DRDR): Involves feeling outside of yourself, like you’re watching yourself from afar. In the case of DRDR, life may feel foggy or unreal.
- Dissociative identity disorder (DID): If you’re experiencing DID, you may be confused or uncertain about who you are. You may have memory gaps about personal information or feel like you have several different identities.
- Dissociative amnesia: This form of dissociative disorder involves gaps in your memory, where you cannot remember any information about yourself or the past. You may forget a skill or find yourself unsure of how you got somewhere. These gaps typically last minutes to days, but can extend beyond this in severe cases.
It’s important to note that, as parents, a teen’s dissociation can sometimes feel like the teen doesn’t care or is purposefully forgetful. However, dissociation and dissociative disorders in teens aren’t intentional. Teens often don’t realize what is happening and may not even remember the episode once it’s over.
Dissociative Symptoms in Teens
The teenage years are commonly associated with a lack of focus and mood swings, which makes detecting signs of dissociation that much more difficult. However, certain patterns can be identified, particularly in times of stress, to determine when it is a good time to seek professional assistance.
Common dissociative symptoms in adolescents include:4
- Feeling separation from yourself or your emotions – as if you are outside of your life looking in
- Feeling numb
- Feeling disconnected from your physical body
- Believing that you or others around you are not real
- Detachment from your identity
- Inability to cope with the stress of daily life
- Unexplained memory loss or amnesia (especially after emotional conversations or stressful events)
For some teens, these symptoms can come and go quickly, but for others, they can profoundly affect their friendships, grades, confidence, and even their safety. If there is any threat of harm to the person experiencing dissociation or anyone else, we recommend seeking assistance immediately.
Risk Factors and Causes of Dissociation in Teens
War- Kidnapping
- Torture
- Natural disasters
- Extensive early-life medical procedures4
However, these are not the only variables that contribute to teen dissociation. PTSD is commonly accompanied by dissociation, and once your teen is primed to dissociate, new stressors can trigger these episodes.5
Early Intervention for Dissociation in Teens: Treatment Options
Early intervention for dissociation in teens is vital. Not only to avoid the development of a disorder, but also to prevent behaviors from becoming dangerous to the teen or to their loved ones. While it can be helpful to talk with a trusted friend, someone at your local faith center, or in a community education group, professional therapy can offer additional emotional support for teens.
Talk Therapy for Dissociative Episodes in Teens
Psychotherapy can take many different forms, and the right approach for you will depend on your preferences and situation. Some of the most common approaches for teens with dissociation include:6
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
- Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
At Mission Prep, we’re dedicated to providing teens with the most up-to-date methods available. For support with dissociation, contact us.
Medication for Teen Dissociative Disorder
There are no specific medications that treat dissociative disorder in teens. However, your doctor may suggest a form of medication to help manage co-occurring difficulties, such as:
- Antidepressants for co-occurring depression
- Antipsychotics for co-occurring psychosis
- Mood stabilizers to help manage mood swings
It’s important to speak with your doctor in-depth before taking any medication, so you understand the potential benefits and side effects of these.
Grounding Techniques for Teen Dissociation
Talk about different grounding methods for teens to determine which ones they find most helpful. These can be practiced when the teen is calm and kept as prime coping skills in their self-care toolkit.
Several strategies for coping with dissociation in teens include:7
Breathing deep, slow breaths- Box breathing – four seconds breathing in, four seconds holding the breath in, four seconds breathing out, and four seconds holding the breath out. Repeat several times.
- Meditation and mindfulness activities
- Pet an animal or touch nature (a tree, grass, dirt, etc.)
- Move your body and stretch
- Use the 5-4-3-2-1 sensory technique – Find five things you can see, four things you can touch, three things you can hear, two things you can smell, and one thing you can taste
- Cold exposure – splash cold water on your face or hold an ice cube
The world of psychology is constantly evolving, so check in with a mental health professional for any tips or tricks they might have for you and your teen.
Parental Support for Dissociative Teens
It’s important to note that teens who dissociate are not inherently dangerous. Even during a high-stress situation, there are many ways to de-escalate the situation before it reaches emergency levels.
A few other things to remember, according to the National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI), are:8
Anger is not helpful and can trigger an episode- Avoid attempting to force “reality” – this is often unhelpful when a teen is experiencing dissociation
- Acceptance can help a teen who is struggling with a dissociative disorder
- Use grounding techniques
Mission Prep: Getting Help With Teen Dissociation
It is likely that if your teen is dissociating, this is not the first time there has been a stressful event in their life. However, as we have discussed, it can be hard recognizing dissociation in teens, as this can look different for everyone.
Taking the time to understand and recognize dissociation in teens can be critical in early intervention. Let Mission Prep help you and your teen understand and navigate through traumatic reactions. We provide structure and emotional support for teens going through life’s most difficult challenges, and offer a range of treatment programs, such as:
- Outpatient services
- Intensive outpatient programs
- Partial hospitalization
- Inpatient treatment (in various locations across the US)
If you’re interested in finding out more about dissociation and trauma in adolescents, reach out today.
References
- Boyer, S. M., Caplan, J. E., & Edwards, L. K. (2022). Trauma-Related Dissociation and the dissociative disorders: Delaware Journal of Public Health, 8(2), 78–84. https://doi.org/10.32481/djph.2022.05.010
- Mental Health America. (2024, December 10). Dissociation and Dissociative Disorders | Mental Health America. https://mhanational.org/conditions/dissociation-and-dissociative-disorders/
- Nortje, A. (2021, April 12). 13 Types of Defense Mechanisms in Psychology (+ Examples). Positive Psychology. https://positivepsychology.com/defense-mechanisms-in-psychology/
- Mayo Clinic. (n.d.). Dissociative disorders – Symptoms and causes. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dissociative-disorders/symptoms-causes/syc-20355215
- Spiegel, D. (2025). Dissociative Subtype of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. MSD Manual Consumer Version. https://www.msdmanuals.com/home/mental-health-disorders/dissociative-disorders/dissociative-subtype-of-posttraumatic-stress-disorder
- Woolard, A., Boutrus, M., Bullman, I., Wickens, N., De Gouveia Belinelo, P., Solomon, T., & Milroy, H. (2024). Treatment for childhood and adolescent dissociation: A systematic review. Psychological Trauma Theory Research Practice and Policy. https://doi.org/10.1037/tra0001615
- Bassuk, E. L., Melnick, S., & Browne, A. (1998). Responding to the needs of low-income and homeless women who are survivors of family violence. Journal of the American Medical Women’s Association (1972), 53(2), 57–64.
- Cotterman, A. (2020, October 6). 5 things I wish my loved ones knew about dissociation. National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). https://www.nami.org/dissociative-disorders/5-things-i-wish-my-loved-ones-knew-about-dissociation/
