Introduction

Have you ever felt like you’re watching yourself from outside your body? Or that the world around you suddenly feels unreal or dreamlike? These aren’t just odd sensations—they could be signs of a dissociative disorder.

Dissociation is the mind’s way of coping with overwhelming stress or trauma by disconnecting from reality, emotions, or memory. It can affect how you perceive yourself, others, and the world—leading to confusion, fear, and difficulty functioning.

At Dr. Mitali Soni Loya’s Psychiatry & De-addiction Clinic in Bhopal, we offer compassionate and structured treatment for dissociative disorders—helping individuals feel grounded, understood, and reconnected to their own lives.

Symptoms to Watch for Dissociative Disorder:

Dissociative disorders can range from mild detachment to deeply disturbing experiences of identity disruption or memory loss. Symptoms may include:

  • Feeling detached from one’s body or self (depersonalization)
  • Experiencing surroundings as unreal or distorted (derealization)
  • Memory gaps for daily events, personal history, or trauma
  • Sudden shifts in mood, behavior, or voice that feel “not like you”
  • Confusion about personal identity or feeling like multiple selves exist
  • Episodes of lost time or missing blocks of experience
  • Flashbacks, emotional numbness, or shutting down under stress
  • Difficulty recalling emotionally painful experiences

These symptoms are not just quirks—they often point to a deep psychological response to emotional pain or trauma.

Common Causes

Dissociative disorders often stem from severe or prolonged emotional trauma. The mind “splits” or detaches as a protective mechanism when events are too overwhelming to process consciously.

Common contributing factors include:

  • Childhood trauma (abuse, neglect, loss of a parent)

  • Sexual or physical abuse at any age

  • Witnessing violence or experiencing war-related trauma

  • Prolonged emotional stress or emotional invalidation

  • Sudden grief, accidents, or natural disasters

  • Chronic fear or psychological manipulation

  • Substance use triggers altered states

In many cases, individuals are unaware they are dissociating until others point it out or distress becomes unmanageable.

Treatment Process

Step 1: Compassionate Diagnosis and History Taking

We start with an in-depth, gentle evaluation where Dr. Mitali explores your symptoms, history of trauma (if any), and emotional patterns. Dissociation is approached with empathy and without labels.

Result: Accurate diagnosis—Dissociative Amnesia, Depersonalization-Derealization Disorder, or Dissociative Identity Disorder

Best suited for: Individuals feeling disconnected from themselves or those with gaps in memory, emotion, or identity

Step 2: Psychoeducation and Trust Building

We explain how and why dissociation occurs—removing fear, guilt, or shame from the experience. Patients learn it’s a survival strategy, not a flaw.

Result: Emotional safety and increased willingness to engage in therapy

Best suited for: Those fearful of “going crazy” or confused by their experiences

Step 3: Trauma-Focused Psychotherapy

Using techniques like grounding, cognitive therapy, and trauma-informed care (e.g., EMDR when appropriate), we help patients process difficult memories and reconnect safely with emotions.

Result: Improved sense of self, reduced flashbacks, and emotional regulation

Best suited for: Individuals with trauma histories, frequent dissociative episodes, or emotional numbing

Step 4: Identity Integration and Relapse Prevention

Over time, therapy aims to stabilize emotions, integrate fragmented parts of self (in DID), and reduce triggers. We teach self-soothing and grounding strategies for long-term emotional safety.

Result: More cohesive identity, improved memory continuity, and daily stability

Best suited for: Patients in long-term therapy or those looking to rebuild after trauma

What to Expect Before and After Treatment?

Before treatment:

Many individuals feel confused, ashamed, or fearful about their symptoms. They may hide their experiences or get misdiagnosed with other disorders. Life feels unstable, unreal, or like it’s “slipping through their fingers.”

After treatment begins:

Most patients describe a growing sense of inner clarity and calm. They learn to manage flashbacks, reduce emotional shutdowns, and begin feeling more like themselves again. Trust builds, and relationships begin to heal.

Benefits of Treatment

  • Greater emotional stability and grounding

  • Reduction in memory lapses and confusion

  • Enhanced self-awareness and identity clarity

  • Less detachment, more connection to people and events

  • Improved ability to manage stress without dissociating

  • Healing of underlying trauma with professional support

  • Long-term coping strategies for relapse prevention

Lifestyle Tips

  • Use grounding techniques like deep breathing, touch-based exercises, or cold-water therapy

  • Avoid isolation—connect with safe, understanding people

  • Keep a structured daily routine to stay oriented

  • Use journaling to track dissociative episodes or memory lapses

  • Minimize substance use or emotional overstimulation

  • Practice mindfulness to stay in the present moment

  • Don’t rush healing—go at your own pace with support

What Makes Our Approach Different?

We understand that dissociative symptoms are often met with misunderstanding—even by other professionals. At Dr. Mitali Soni Loya’s clinic, we lead with trust, trauma sensitivity, and gentle care. We never force memories to surface or push rapid change.

Instead, we work with your pace, honoring your resilience and helping you reconnect with life safely and fully.

Journey with Dr. Mitali Soni Loya’s Psychiatry & De-addiction Clinic

Consultation

A warm, confidential session where your experiences are honored, not judged. We create a plan that feels safe and clear from the first meeting.

Pre-preparation

We educate you and your loved ones (if involved) about what dissociation means and how treatment works. This reduces stigma and builds mutual understanding.

Treatment

Consistent, trauma-informed therapy that evolves with your needs. No pressure, no assumptions—just guidance, support, and presence.

Why choose us?

  • Deep expertise in trauma and dissociative disorders

  • Compassion-first approach, especially for sensitive patients

  • Personalized treatment without pressure or over-labeling

  • Non-clinical, warm setting designed for emotional safety

  • Bhopal’s trusted center for private, long-term healing

Book Your Appointment with Dr. Mitali 

If you feel disconnected from yourself or the world around you, it’s time to be heard and understood. Book a confidential session with Dr. Mitali Soni Loya today and begin your journey back to wholeness.

📞 +91 88174 75079

📍 10 Ramanand Nagar, Near Lalghati Square, Bhopal, M.P. – 462023

📧 drmitalisoniloya@gmail.com

🌐 www.mentalhealthbhopal.com

FAQs

Q. Is dissociation a sign of mental illness?

It can be—but it’s more often a protective response to trauma. With support, it can be treated very effectively.

Q. Is Dissociative Identity Disorder the same as schizophrenia?

No. They are different conditions. DID involves identity fragmentation, while schizophrenia involves hallucinations and delusions.

Q. Can therapy make things worse?

Not when done properly. Our trauma-informed therapy ensures you feel safe and in control at all times.

Q. How long does recovery take?

It varies. Some improve in months, others may need longer. What matters is progress, not speed.

Q. Will people judge me if I tell them about my symptoms?

Unfortunately, stigma exists—but at our clinic, you’re respected, never judged. We also help you educate your family if needed.