Understanding Dissociation: What’s Happening In the Brain

By Krista Boncheff, LCSW, ADC

In The Previous Blog…

In the previous blog, we explored what dissociation can look and feel like. Now, let’s take a

closer look at what dissociation actually is—and what’s happening in the brain when it occurs.

What Dissociation Is

Dissociation is your brain’s protective response to overwhelm. It’s a mental process that allows

you to disconnect from your thoughts, feelings, memories, or sense of self during distressing

experiences—such as trauma, chronic pain, or other events that feel too intense to process in the

moment.

In these moments, dissociation helps you survive. It’s your brain’s way of saying, “This is too

much right now—let’s check out so we can get through it.” The problem arises when this once-

helpful survival strategy keeps showing up long after the danger has passed.

When Dissociation Becomes Unhelpful

At the time of the event, dissociation was your ally. It helped you endure what you couldn’t

escape. But as an adult, continuing to “check out” can interfere with daily life—making it hard to

stay present at work, at home, or in relationships.

It can feel like being stuck between living and surviving: you’re functioning, but disconnected,

existing in a kind of emotional limbo. What once kept you safe may now keep you from fully

living.

The Neurobiology of Dissociation

Understanding what happens in the brain can help make sense of why dissociation feels the way

it does.

The Prefrontal Cortex

This part of the brain keeps you in the present. It’s responsible for decision-making, judgment,

and insight. During trauma or overwhelm, this area can “shut down,” making it hard to stay

grounded in the here and now. This is often referred to as “flipping your lid,” which you will see

in the video posted below.

The Amygdala

The amygdala acts as your internal alarm system. It scans for danger and activates your fight,

flight, or freeze response. When you’ve experienced trauma, this system can become

overactive—perceiving threat even when you’re safe. In dissociation, this often shows up as a

“freeze” response, where you feel detached, numb, or zoned out.

The Hippocampus

The hippocampus helps create and recall memories. During trauma, it may encode memories in

sensory fragments rather than complete stories. That’s why a smell, sound, or song can suddenly

trigger intense emotions or flashbacks—you’re reliving sensory pieces of an unprocessed

experience. This fragmentation can make dissociation and memory gaps feel confusing or

disorienting.

Grounding

Take a moment to reconnect with your body.

Feel your feet on the floor. Notice your seat supported by the chair. Take a deep, steady breath.

Learning about dissociation can bring up a lot, so it’s important to come back to the present

before moving on.

If dissociation is getting in the way of your daily life, you don’t have to navigate it alone.
I help clients reconnect with their bodies, process trauma safely, and build tools for staying grounded.
Click here to schedule a free consultation and take the next step toward healing.

Krista Boncheff LCSW, ADC

Embodied Renewal Counseling

3740 Rogers Ave.

Fort Smith, AR 72903

479-262-0342

kristacounselingllc@gmail.com.