Definition
Dissociation during medical care is a common protective response to frightening, painful, or dehumanizing medical experiences. It can shape recall, cooperation, and future healthcare engagement.
Why it matters
Medical dissociation is often unrecognized and unaddressed. Naming it changes both immediate care and long-term relationship with medicine.
The Science
Peritraumatic dissociation predicts worse PTSD outcomes across medical and other trauma contexts.
The NSI Perspective
NSI treats medical dissociation as a legitimate protective response that deserves respect in clinical encounters.
Clinical Implications
Trauma-informed procedural practice reduces dissociation during care.
Practical Application
If you go somewhere else in your mind during procedures, that is not a defect. That is protection. Naming it can help.
References
- 1.Ozer EJ, Best SR, Lipsey TL, Weiss DS. Predictors of posttraumatic stress disorder and symptoms in adults: a meta-analysis. Psychol Bull. 2003;129(1):52–73.