Dissociation is a mental process where a person disconnects from their thoughts, feelings, memories, or sense of identity. It can range from mild detachment to more severe forms where the person may feel like they are outside of their body or have lost touch with reality. Dissociation is often a coping mechanism for dealing with trauma or overwhelming emotions, but it can also be a symptom of certain mental health disorders such as dissociative identity disorder or post-traumatic stress disorder.
