Child Mind Institute Resources Examine Dissociation in Children
Dissociation can sound like a scary word when applied to young people but, according to a new series of resources from the Child Mind Institute, it can cover a variety of behaviors, many of which aren’t great causes for concern.
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While some children describe dissociation as feeling spaced out, numb, or disconnected from themselves or their surroundings, others might say they feel as if they are watching themselves from outside their body or that the world around them doesn’t feel real.
But in milder and more common forms, it might show up as daydreaming. However, when children dissociate a lot, it can be distressing and it could be a sign that they feel overwhelmed by strong feelings or are struggling with trauma, depression, anxiety, or panic attacks.
The Child Mind Institute has provided resources for caregivers on how they can model healthy ways to cope with powerful emotions. For teens, the institute provides techniques that can be used to calm down and ground oneself when feeling stressed or detached. There are also suggestions for how to respond effectively when children diagnose themselves after watching TikTok videos.
The resources include: