From the Guidelines

Dissociation is a state of impaired awareness, often characterized by a disconnection from one's thoughts, feelings, or surroundings.

It can manifest as dissociative (non-epileptic) seizures, which resemble epilepsy or syncope but are not associated with abnormal electroencephalography changes 1
Dissociation can be a symptom of complex post-traumatic stress disorder (cPTSD), which is characterized by self-regulation problems, including emotion regulation difficulties, disturbances in relational capacities, and alterations in attention and consciousness 1
Cognitive motor dissociation, seen in some patients with severe acute brain injuries, has prognostic implications for consciousness recovery and functional outcome 1

Psychological therapy, delivered by specially trained clinicians, is the main evidence-based treatment for dissociative seizures 1
A phase-based approach, starting with a stabilization phase, is recommended for treating cPTSD, which includes dissociation as a symptom 1
Sensory grounding techniques, such as noticing details in the environment, cognitive distractions, and sensory-based distractors, can help prevent dissociation 1

Dissociation can be triggered by various factors, and identifying warning signs can help individuals and clinicians develop strategies to prevent or manage episodes 1
A comprehensive treatment plan, including psychotherapy and stabilization techniques, can help individuals with dissociation symptoms manage their condition and improve their quality of life 1

From the Research

Dissociation is a mental mechanism that plays a significant role in people's adaptational efforts 2
It is defined as a deficit in the capacity of integration of two or more different "systems of ideas and functions that constitute personality" 3
Dissociation is a process in which behavior, thoughts, and emotions can become separated from one another 3

There are different types of dissociation, including detachment and compartmentalization, which have different definitions, mechanisms, and treatment implications 4, 5
Detachment and compartmentalization are two qualitatively distinct forms of dissociation, with different psychological mechanisms and clinical implications 4, 5

Dissociation is the underlying mechanism in a number of defense mechanisms, including repression, intellectualization, and splitting 2
The mechanisms involved in dissociation are still not fully understood, but research on hypnosis and post-traumatic stress disorder has provided some insights 3
Different types of dissociation have different psychological mechanisms, and understanding these mechanisms is important for treatment and clinical practice 4, 5

There are controversies and debates in the field of dissociation, with different researchers and theorists having different understandings of the concept 3, 6
Some researchers argue that the concept of dissociation has been overly broadened, while others argue that it has been too narrowly defined 6
A precise definition of dissociation is needed to clarify the concept and its relationship to other psychological phenomena 6