If your teen has spent any time on TikTok, they have probably seen countless videos of other teens talking about their experiences with dissociative identity disorder (DID).
It’s very easy for teens to accept information they see on social media as fact or to relate to individuals from the DID community on TikTok, which can cause them to believe that they are experiencing dissociative identity disorder even when they are not.
The reality is that dissociative identity disorder is rare, only affecting between 0.01% and 1% of the population. While it is possible for your teen to have DID, it’s important for them to know that they shouldn’t self-diagnose based on videos they have seen on social media.
However, just because someone does not have DID does not mean that they haven’t experienced dissociation. Unlike DID, which is a rare medical condition, dissociation is a fairly common defense mechanism for those who have experienced trauma.
What is dissociation?
Dissociation is a mental health condition that causes individuals to disconnect from their sense of self and the world around them.
While some teens wonder if they experience disassociation based on behaviors like frequent daydreaming or difficulty recalling certain memories, dissociation involves more than common, universal experiences.
Teens with dissociation often feel disconnected from their own thoughts, feelings, and surroundings.
Typically, they will experience one or more of the following symptoms:
Memory lapse
Poor sense of time
Flashbacks
Belief their surroundings are not real
Out-of-body experiences
Physical and/or emotional numbness
Tunnel vision
Distorted perception of time or reality
These symptoms of dissociation can last anywhere from a couple of hours to a couple of days depending on the severity of this condition.
Due to the recent prevalence of this buzzword on TikTok and other social media platforms, many teens are not aware of these symptoms.
Instead, some teens believe that they have dissociation when they exhibit any of these behaviors that are NOT actually indicative of dissociation:
Forgetfulness
Daydreaming
Staring out of windows
Thinking about a negative memory
Feeling confused or disoriented from time to time
Being directionally challenged
While these experiences might be uncomfortable, they are not symptoms of dissociation. It is important for both you and your teen to know the actual symptoms of dissociation so that you are able to provide your teen with the help they need.
Supporting your teen
If your teen is diagnosed with dissociation, there are a few ways you can offer support:
Practice active listening
Oftentimes when teens experience dissociation, they worry that they will sound “crazy” if they try to explain what they are going through. This can make them feel alone and increase the hardship they are already facing.
Show your teen that you are a safe, judgment-free space for them to express their feelings and share their concerns by practicing active listening.
When your teen wants to share something with you, take the following steps:
Give them your undivided attention. Put away any distractions and let them know that you value their time and willingness to share.
Show signs that you are listening. Nod, ask questions, and otherwise allow your verbal and non-verbal communication to show that you are fully engaged in what your teen is saying to you.
Offer validation. Even if you do not fully relate to their experiences, show empathy and acknowledge that what they are going through is challenging.
Show unconditional positive regard. Don’t make your teen feel like they are crazy, shame your teen, or dismiss and minimize your teen’s feelings. Let them know that you are there to love and support them no matter what.
Teach your teen “grounding” techniques
When your teen feels disconnected from the world around them, grounding can help.
Walk your teen through different grounding techniques like taking slow breaths, naming things they can see or feel, reminding themselves of the date and time, splashing their own face with cold water, singing along to music on the radio, journaling, stretching, or going outside for fresh air and a change of scenery.
These activities will help them connect with their reality and minimize their symptoms of dissociation.
Encourage them to attend Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
This form of therapy helps teens learn how to control their emotions, cope with reality, improve their relationships with others, and stop engaging in problem behaviors.
Find out more when you visit Creative Healing.