Are you someone who tends to dissociate but you’re struggling to understand why?

{If you’re not sure what exactly dissociation is, hang tight, we’re going to unpack that a little later in this article}.

Here’s the thing, dissociation is actually a pretty common religious trauma symptom…

However, it can still feel pretty unsettling to realize you’ve unintentionally been slipping into dissociative episodes.

So before we get into the whole article, I want to offer some reassurance: dissociation is an adaptive coping mechanism developed by your brain to keep you safe.

It’s also very possible to recover from chronic dissociation.

What is Dissociation?

In simple terms, dissociation is a mental process where you disconnect from your thoughts, feelings, memories or sense of identity.

It can feel like you’re watching yourself from the outside, almost like being in a dream-like state.

People may also describe it as “zoning out” or feeling numb.

In the psychology world, it’s often considered a defense mechanism that the mind employs in response to overwhelming or distressing situations.

This is why we often see it showing up for folks who have experienced trauma.

However, dissociation doesn’t only occur when there’s been trauma.

What’s important to understand for people who dissociate is that sometimes dissociation can be benign, like daydreaming, and other times it can be deeply distressing and problematic as in the case of dissociative amnesia.

I’m going to unpack each of these a bit further next or you can jump to the next section: Religious Trauma & Dissociation.

Benign Dissociation

As mentioned above, not all forms of dissociation are harmful or distressing.

In fact, benign dissociation is a phenomenon that we all experience from time to time.

Remember those moments when you find yourself completely absorbed in a daydream?

Or when you’ve driven a familiar route and realize you don’t recall the last few minutes of the drive?

These are examples of benign dissociation.

In these instances, our mind simply detaches from our immediate surroundings or current activity.

It’s a natural and quite common experience, often triggered by monotony or over-familiarity, rather than distress.

This type of dissociation is temporary and generally harmless, serving as a mental break that allows our mind to rest or wander freely.

However, when dissociation becomes chronic and is triggered by trauma, it can interfere with our daily lives and mental health.

We’re going to talk about this more next.

Problematic Dissociation

When dissociation transitions from being a harmless mental escape to a problematic and recurrent phenomenon, it often signifies underlying psychological distress.

This distress can be a result of various factors, the intensity of which can determine the degree of problematic dissociation.

Mild forms might manifest as brief periods of disconnection, while severe cases may lead to a dissociative disorder.

Dissociative disorders are characterized by a disconnection between a person’s thoughts, memories, feelings, behavior, or sense of self.

These disorders can be transient or chronic, and can significantly disrupt every area of psychological functioning.

They include Depersonalization-Derealization Disorder, Dissociative Amnesia, and Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID).

Depersonalization-Derealization Disorder

This disorder is characterized by persistent feelings of detachment or estrangement from oneself, including one’s thoughts, emotions, body, and surroundings.

Those with this disorder may feel like they are in a dream-like state or watching themselves from the outside.

Dissociative Amnesia

A more severe form of dissociation is known as dissociative amnesia.

This is a state of mind where one’s awareness of their identity or memories of personal history are temporarily lost.

People suffering from dissociative amnesia might find themselves in an unfamiliar environment without any recollection of how they got there.

This is more than mere forgetfulness or absentmindedness; it’s as though the mind has selectively blocked out certain aspects of reality in order to protect you from psychological pain.

Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)

DID, formerly known as multiple personality disorder, is perhaps the most well-known and severe type of dissociative disorder.

It involves a fragmentation or splitting of one’s identity into two or more distinct personalities that control their behavior at different times.

This can be triggered by traumatic experiences, often during childhood, when our minds are still developing coping mechanisms.

The result is the creation of multiple identities, each with unique behaviors, thoughts, and emotions, that coexist within the same person.

Religious Trauma & Dissociation

Now that we have a better understanding of dissociation, let’s delve into how it relates to religious trauma.

What is Religious Trauma?

Religious trauma occurs when someone experiences psychological harm as a result of their involvement in a religious or spiritual group or belief system.

This can include feelings of shame, guilt, fear, and self-blame due to strict and often unrealistic expectations set by the group or teachings.

Additionally, religious trauma can stem from traumatic experiences within the religious environment, such as emotional, physical or spiritual abuse.

Dissociation as a Religious Trauma Response

For someone who has experienced religious trauma, dissociation can be a common coping mechanism.

By dissociating from the traumatic experience or the teachings of the religious group, you’re better able to protect yourself from the intense emotional pain and cognitive dissonance that often accompanies religious trauma.

This is especially true for those who were raised in strict or fundamentalist environments, where any deviation from the group’s beliefs was met with severe consequences.

How High Control Religion Cause You to Dissociate

High control religions (a.k.a. religious cults or authoritarian religious groups) can contribute to dissociation in several ways due to the intense and restrictive nature of their beliefs and practices.

We’re going to get into the 5 ways high control religions can cause you to dissociate but first, are you wondering what a high control religion is?

If so, be sure to check out this article:

• What is a High Control Religion?

#1: Chronic Cognitive Dissonance

High control religions, characterized by their imposition of strict beliefs and doctrines, can often clash with your personal values or experiences, creating a potential source of cognitive dissonance.

This dissonance arises when there is a mental conflict between what you believe and what you observe or feel, leading to a sense of inner turmoil.

To cope with this dissonance, you may resort to dissociating from your true thoughts and emotions, creating a psychological defense mechanism to maintain a sense of stability.

#2: Thought Control

In addition to the cognitive dissonance caused by high control religions, they also often use thought control techniques to manipulate and coerce their members into aligning with their beliefs.

These techniques can include gaslighting, guilt-tripping, and shame-inducing tactics that make it difficult for you to trust your own thoughts and feelings.

In addition to no longer trusting yourself, thought control can lead you to suppress or dissociate from your own critical thinking, doubts, or dissenting opinions, as expressing these can lead to punishment, ostracism, or feelings of guilt.

#3: Emotional Suppression

High control religions can demand emotional control and may discourage or punish the expression of certain emotions, such as doubt, anger, or sadness.

This suppression of authentic emotions can lead to emotional dissociation, where you disconnect from your true feelings to conform to the expected emotional norms of the group.

#4: Guilt & Fear

High control religions often use guilt and fear tactics as means of controlling behavior and manipulating thoughts.

This constant sense of guilt and fear can create a dissociative state where you may become detached from your own sense of agency, autonomy, and personal identity.

#5: Rituals and Mind-Altering Practices

Many high control religions employ rituals or mind-altering practices such as prolonged worship experiences and repetitive messaging in sermons used to evoke emotion.

These practices can trigger dissociation.

When this happens, it may create a sense of euphoria or transcendence, making you think you’re having a “god-experience” or connecting to the divine.

The group will have you believe that your experience is a result of their specific beliefs and practices, but these types of spiritually transcendent experiences can be found among many religious groups.

They can even be found outside a structured religion altogether.

How to Stop Dissociating

If you find yourself frequently dissociating due to religious trauma, there are steps you can take to begin the healing process. Here are a few suggestions to get you started.

Understand your Dissociation

The first step in healing is figuring out how your dissociation manifests and then to start thinking about what seems to trigger it.

If your tendency to dissociate is connected to religious trauma, you’ll want to identify which aspects of religion trigger you.

Curious about why you have religious triggers?

Then you’ll want to check out this article:

• Two of the Most Likely Reasons for Your Religious Triggers

Seek Support

It’s important to have a strong support system when healing from religious trauma and dissociation.

This can include trusted friends or family members, therapy, or support groups specifically for those who have experienced religious indoctrination.

If you prefer online spaces, be sure to check out my Religious Harm Recovery Group on Facebook.

Practice Grounding Techniques

When dissociating, it’s essential to have a go-to coping mechanism to bring yourself back to the present moment.

Grounding techniques, such as deep breathing or focusing on physical sensations, can help you reconnect with your body and surroundings.

There are really excellent resources on YouTube that can teach you grounding techniques.

Set Boundaries

Boundaries are critical when you’re healing from chronic dissociation.

This may include setting boundaries with toxic people who are triggering your dissociation or establishing boundaries within yourself, such as learning to say no to things that make you uncomfortable.

It also means prioritizing proper rest, nourishment and body movement to help keep your nervous system regulated at baseline, making you less susceptible to dissociative episodes.

Seek Professional Help

If your dissociation is impacting your daily life and functioning, it’s important to seek professional help.

A therapist can provide a safe space for you to process your trauma and develop coping strategies to manage your dissociation.

Remember, healing from chronic dissociation takes time and patience. Be gentle with yourself and know that you are not alone in this journey.

Final Thoughts

Religious trauma can create deep-rooted dissociation and disconnection from the self.

But with time, support, and the right tools, it is possible to heal and reclaim your identity.

If you’re in the process of recovering from religious harm, you may want to sign up for my weekly emails.

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