Using mindful brain development for DISSOCIATION

In this blog, I’ll cover the ABCs of dissociation, mindfulness, mindfulness meditation, and meditation at a pretty high-level. I want to give you an appreciation of all the factors surrounding these.

I’ll discuss how mindfulness can be the superhero for those dealing with dissociation, and how clinicians can add mindful brain development into their practice to help with trauma recovery.

Cracking the Code: Demystifying Dissociation and Mindfulness

I often feel like the topic of dissociation is the elephant in the room. 

It's typically met with a bit of hostility, or benign indifference and it’s not taught in mainstream education. The lack of a clear definition and the variety of opinions about dissociation make it a real challenge for treating mental health issues effectively.

It’s crucial to understand what dissociation is and how it shows up in clients. It’s like the secret sauce to overcoming therapeutic hurdles and achieving genuine healing. Personally, I'm convinced that dissociation is the reason people get stuck in therapy without healing.

Dissociation's Definition Challenge

Defining dissociation is challenging. There are more concepts and theories about it than flavours at an ice cream shop, yet there is still no universal definition.

I see dissociation as the life-saving removal of information and awareness in response to emergency – like pulling a hand away from a hot stove. At the same time, there is the distinctly negative side to dissociation. When someone dissociates, critical information for a secure sense of self also disappears.

Pervasive Role in Mental Illness

Dissociation plays a bigger part in mental health issues than we think. Dissociation has been found in all mental illness like depression or anxiety. From where I sit, the trauma world is not seeing dissociation's full role in mental illness. 

Instantaneous Response to Danger

When danger appears, dissociation is actually the superhero that jumps in — instantly. Chemicals and electricity are at play.  When running or fighting isn't an option, we go into freeze mode – that's dissociation.

Biological Dominance

Dissociation, as the MVP of emergency biological systems, can dominate other bodily functions. When you're in an altered state of dissociation, feeling goes out the window, logic takes a vacation, and information can vanish into thin air. No other bodily system can hit pause for a human like dissociation can, except for safety and calm.

Dissociation vs. Mindfulness

Mindfulness a powerful tool of human functioning, doesn’t get along with dissociative bodies and brains. Think of it this way: they're like frenemies – dissociation is terrified of mindfulness because, in states of "unaware survival," awareness is just too much to handle. Its too painful to feel.

And dissociation and mindfulness? They're like rival brain activities. Dissociation is all about survival and disconnection, while mindfulness is promoting thriving, connection, and awareness. It's like they're playing different games.

Mindfulness and Mindfulness Meditation Distinctions

And what about meditation vs mindfulness meditations? They're not the same thing. 

There's a whole variety of meditation practices that induce mindfulness – concentration meditations, mindfulness meditations, and goal-oriented meditations, but mindfulness and the mindful brain is a different thing

The Mindful Brain 

So, let’s zoom out. Mindfulness isn’t just about meditation. It's about paying attention to your internal experiences – thoughts, feelings, sensory perceptions, and movement impulses.  That’s the critical distinction. It's got its roots in sensorimotor, affective (feelings) neurobiology, and human development. It’s actually more about human attachment.

Creating A Better Brain Through Mindfulness

A well-functioning, mindful brain is like reaching the pinnacle of development and building solid relationships. It is like the grand master of self-regulation/self-agency/self-control.

We can create a better brain through mindfulness. Intentional mindful awareness, from a place of curiosity and acceptance, will flex those brain muscles. The medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and its related brain structures are systems responsible for body regulation, attuned communication, emotional balancing, and more. These can be thought of as the brain’s and the body’s rockstars.

Helping Dissociative Clients Achieve Mindfulness

So, how do you help dissociative clients get on the mindfulness train? This is possible and difficult because of the dissociative brain’s fear of mindfulness.

There’s two ways of proceeding: start slow enough for the brain to do its thing naturally and begin with small steps for the dissociative brain to handle the awakening.

Connection is Everything That is Uniquely Human

Connection is the heart of all things human. Dissociation isn't just a mind thing; it’s a full-body experience. We're wired to be connected, not just spiritually or philosophically, but biologically and hormonally. When we’re safe, we roll with evolution’s game plan.

Secure Attachment as the Key to Healing

Secure attachment is like the VIP pass to healing. If an individual can achieve secure attachment, the rest of life unfolds more easily. Securefullness, that natural state when needs are met, is the key to trauma healing.