Why Do I Feel So Detached From My Life? Trauma, Dissociation, and Emotional Numbing
Understanding Dissociation You May Not Recognize
Dissociation doesn’t always look dramatic. Often, it shows up as feeling spaced out, numb, foggy, or disconnected from your emotions. Many people assume it’s fatigue or burnout, but for many trauma survivors, dissociation is the body’s way of helping them survive overwhelming experiences.
If you find yourself drifting through conversations, losing time, or feeling like you’re living on autopilot, your nervous system may be protecting you from sensations it believes are unsafe. This response becomes habitual, even long after the threat has passed.
Why Trauma Causes Emotional Numbing
When the brain becomes overloaded, it temporarily shuts down emotional processing to prevent overwhelm. Over time, this response can become chronic. You might find it hard to feel joy, sadness, excitement, or even love. This isn’t because you’re disconnected by choice—it’s because your system has learned that feeling deeply is dangerous.
People often judge themselves harshly during this stage, believing something is wrong with them. In reality, emotional numbing is one of the most common trauma responses.
Signs of Dissociation Many People Miss
Clients often describe experiences like feeling foggy, forgetting details of conversations, zoning out during stress, or feeling unreal. Because these symptoms can be subtle, they’re frequently misinterpreted as attention issues, fatigue, or depression. Many people don’t realize dissociation is trauma-linked until they learn how the nervous system works.
You may feel detached from your body, disconnected from your surroundings, or like you’re watching your life happen rather than living it. These experiences can feel strange or even frightening, but they are normal responses to overwhelming stress.
How ART Helps Restore Presence and Connection
ART is deeply effective for dissociation because it does not require you to talk through details or stay emotionally activated. The eye movements help calm the nervous system and integrate fragmented memories. As the emotional meaning of traumatic images shifts, the shutdown response begins to release.
Clients often say they feel “more here,” “more alive,” or “more like myself” after ART sessions. Colors appear brighter. Conversations feel richer. Moments feel meaningful again. This reconnection is not forced—it emerges naturally as the protective freeze response dissolves.
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If you’re tired of feeling disconnected or numb, a different kind of therapy can help.
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Peer-Reviewed References
Lanius, R. et al. (2010). The nature of trauma-related dissociation. American Journal of Psychiatry.
Sierra, M., & Berrios, G. (1998). Depersonalization: Neurobiological perspectives. Biological Psychiatry.
van der Hart, O., Nijenhuis, E., & Steele, K. (2006). The Haunted Self.
Kip, K. E. et al. (2020). ART for trauma-related symptoms. Journal of Anxiety Disorders.