Dissociation as a Defense to Cope with Gender Dysphoria!
Dr. Z explains dissociation as a defense mechanism—why 90% of transgender people experience it while dealing with gender dysphoria.
Not talking about dissociative identity disorder (formerly multiple personality disorder) or disorders—talking about dissociative defense. Defense mechanisms are psychological defenses we employ when going through difficult, stressful, or traumatic times to help us cope. They can help prevent nervous breakdowns and keep your mind from disintegrating or falling apart. You employ them daily without awareness.
All defense mechanisms start adaptive (helpful) but eventually become maladaptive—we get habituated and become slaves to them instead of dealing with issues. Example: denial may be adaptive initially but not if you continue being in denial about ongoing events.
Dissociation is the number one defense for transgender people. In Dr. Z's experience, 90% of transgender people have experienced it. Why? Primary issue is incongruity and discomfort with the body in relationship to gender it communicates. Of course you'll try to avoid this vessel, detach yourself, separate yourself from what you don't identify with or feel represents you.
Biggest signs: (1) Out-of-body experience—floating outside your body, looking at body from different vantage point, (2) Numbness of feelings/emotions (emotional detachment), (3) Daydreaming/feeling outside your head, (4) Lost track of time, wandering without knowing what you did for 2-3 hours (complete blackout experience).
Watch to find out how loved ones experience you (you're there but not really there—looking through them, not present), why this causes interpersonal issues (people think you're spacing out, not paying attention, not interested), and why certain situations make you dissociate more (sex, displaying your body in swimwear, locker rooms, dressing rooms—exposing your body).
