At Thrive Center for Health in Grand Rapids, MI, we understand that living with PTSD can feel overwhelming, especially when dissociation becomes a part of your experience. If you’ve ever felt disconnected from your thoughts, emotions, or surroundings, you’re not alone. Dissociation is a common response to trauma, and it can significantly impact your daily life. In this blog, we’ll explore what PTSD dissociation is, its causes, how it affects your life, and how innovative treatments like ketamine therapy can help you regain control.
What Is Dissociation in PTSD?
Dissociation is a mental process where a person disconnects from their thoughts, feelings, memories, or surroundings. For people with PTSD, dissociation is often a response to trauma and can feel like zoning out, feeling detached from your body, or losing touch with reality. It may come on suddenly during a flashback or be a persistent symptom that interferes with day-to-day life.
Some people feel like they are watching themselves from outside their body, while others may have memory gaps or blank periods. While dissociation is a coping mechanism, it can become disruptive and painful when it lingers or becomes a pattern. Understanding this aspect of PTSD is crucial for recognizing the need for help and treatment.
What Causes Dissociation?
Dissociation is commonly triggered by severe stress or trauma, especially experiences that overwhelm the brain’s ability to cope. In PTSD, dissociation often develops during or after traumatic events like abuse, violence, or witnessing danger. The brain ‘splits off’ from distressing memories or feelings to protect itself—resulting in altered consciousness or memory gaps.
The more intense or repeated the trauma, the more likely dissociation may occur as part of the brain’s long-term response. People who dissociate often aren’t aware of it until it’s pointed out or begins disrupting their relationships, work, or sense of self. Recognizing these triggers is the first step toward healing.
How PTSD Dissociation Impacts Daily Life
Dissociation can interfere with work, relationships, and emotional stability, often making you feel disconnected from the world. You may lose track of time, forget where you’ve been, or struggle to engage with people around you. It can feel like you’re physically present but emotionally absent—making even simple conversations or decisions difficult.
Many people with PTSD feel ashamed or confused by dissociation, believing they are ‘broken’ or mentally unstable. In reality, dissociation is a trauma response—not a character flaw—and with proper treatment, it can improve over time. Understanding that you are not alone in this experience can be a powerful motivator for seeking help.
How Ketamine May Help
Ketamine has shown promise for reducing the symptoms of PTSD, including dissociation and intrusive thoughts. It acts on the glutamate system and encourages neuroplasticity, which can help reset trauma-related brain patterns. For people experiencing dissociation, ketamine may help reconnect emotional processing pathways and restore balance.
Many patients report feeling more grounded, present, and emotionally available after a short course of ketamine infusions. At Thrive Center for Health, we’ve seen how ketamine therapy can create a path forward for those struggling with PTSD and dissociation. This innovative treatment offers hope for individuals who have not found relief through traditional therapies.
What to Expect from Treatment
Your first step will be a detailed evaluation to ensure ketamine is the right fit for your symptoms and history. You’ll receive your infusion in a private, calming room while being monitored by one of our experienced providers. Most infusions last 40–60 minutes, during which you may experience a sense of floating, calm, or emotional release.
You may begin to feel relief from symptoms within hours or days—often much faster than with traditional medications. A full course of ketamine therapy typically involves six infusions over two to three weeks, followed by booster treatments as needed. While we do not offer individual therapy, our group therapy sessions (held weekly) provide an added layer of community and support.
At Thrive Center for Health, we’re committed to providing safe, compassionate care for individuals facing PTSD and complex trauma symptoms. Our Grand Rapids, MI clinic offers a spa-like setting, designed to help you feel secure and supported throughout your treatment journey. We specialize in ketamine therapy for treatment-resistant mental health conditions and work closely with you to build a personalized plan.
Final Thoughts
If you’re struggling with PTSD and dissociation, know that you don’t have to face this journey alone. At Thrive Center for Health, we are here to support you every step of the way. Our compassionate team is dedicated to helping you find the relief and healing you deserve.
If you’re ready to take the first step toward recovery, we invite you to contact us today. Together, we can explore the best treatment options for your unique situation and help you reclaim your life.
This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.
At Thrive Center for Health, we are committed to creating a safe and inclusive environment for everyone seeking our services. We proudly stand as a welcoming space for members of the LGBTQIA+ community, ensuring that all individuals receive compassionate care and support on their journey toward improved mental health and well-being. Our team is dedicated to providing a respectful and affirming experience for all, regardless of their identity or background.
