Dissociation and Dissociative Disorders in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Dissociation is a mental process in which a person feels disconnected from their thoughts, feelings, memories, surroundings, or sense of identity. Dissociative disorders form a group of mental health conditions that include:

  • Dissociative amnesia
  • Depersonalization/derealization disorder
  • Dissociative identity disorder (DID)

In Grand Rapids and across West Michigan, people who experience serious trauma—such as abuse, accidents, or natural disasters—may have some degree of dissociation during or after the event. For example, an event may feel “unreal,” or the person may feel detached, as if they are watching themselves in a movie or on television.

Grand Rapids residents dealing with dissociation can seek support through local healthcare systems such as Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health), Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health – University of Michigan Health, and Mercy Health, as well as community resources like the Kent County Health Department.

When Dissociation Becomes a Disorder

Most Dissociation Resolves on Its Own

Many people experience mild, short-lived dissociation after a stressful or traumatic event. In most cases, these symptoms fade without formal treatment.

When Professional Help Is Needed

Some people develop ongoing, distressing symptoms that interfere with daily life. In these cases, a dissociative disorder may be present and professional help is important.

Dissociative disorders are complex and sometimes controversial. They:

  • Require careful, professional diagnosis
  • Often involve long-term, specialized treatment
  • Benefit from strong social and community support

If you are in Grand Rapids and are concerned that you or a loved one may have a dissociative disorder, contact your primary care provider, a local mental health clinic, or a licensed therapist for an evaluation.

Symptoms of Dissociative Disorders

Symptoms vary depending on the type and severity of the dissociative disorder, but may include:

  • Feeling disconnected from yourself or your body
  • Identity confusion (feeling unsure who you are or feeling like you have different “selves”)
  • Acting in ways you would normally find out of character or disturbing
  • Sudden and unexpected shifts in mood
  • Depression and/or anxiety
  • Feeling like the world is unreal, foggy, or “dreamlike” (derealization)
  • Memory problems not explained by physical injury or illness
  • Difficulty concentrating or thinking clearly
  • Major memory gaps, such as forgetting important personal information
  • Feeling compelled to behave in a certain way without fully understanding why

In Grand Rapids, these symptoms can be made worse by stressors common in Michigan, such as:

  • Long, dark winters that may contribute to seasonal depression
  • Economic stress or job changes in the metro area
  • Weather-related events, like serious winter storms or car accidents in icy conditions

If these symptoms are affecting your daily life, relationships, or work or school performance, it is important to seek help.

Types of Dissociative Disorders (DSM‑5)

According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM‑5), the main dissociative disorders are:

1. Dissociative Amnesia

Dissociative amnesia occurs when a person cannot recall important personal information, usually related to a traumatic or highly stressful event, and there is no medical cause (such as a head injury) to explain the memory loss. The person is aware that they are having memory problems.

This condition is sometimes called psychogenic amnesia.

Dissociative amnesia can last:

  • A few days
  • Several months
  • In some cases, longer than a year

It may also occur alongside other mental health conditions, such as anxiety or depression.

Categories of Dissociative Amnesia

Dissociative amnesia can be grouped into several types:

  • Localized amnesia

    • Memory loss for a specific period of time
    • Example: After an assault or serious accident on an icy Grand Rapids road, a person may not recall any details from the next few days.

  • Selective amnesia

    • The person remembers some, but not all, details of a traumatic event.

  • Generalized amnesia

    • The person loses memory of their entire life history or large parts of it, including who they are. This is rare and severe.

  • Systematized amnesia

    • Memory loss is limited to a specific category of information (for example, memories of a particular person, time period, or type of event).

2. Depersonalization/Derealization Disorder

Depersonalization/derealization disorder is characterized by:

  • Depersonalization – feeling detached from your own body, thoughts, or emotions (as if you are an outside observer of yourself).
  • Derealization – feeling as though your surroundings are strange, unreal, or distorted.

People with this disorder often describe:

  • Feeling “spacey” or “out of it”
  • Feeling emotionally numb or disconnected from their own life
  • Time seeming to slow down or speed up
  • Their body feeling a different size or shape
  • In severe cases, being unable to recognize themselves in a mirror

Other common symptoms include:

  • Problems with concentration
  • Short-term memory difficulties
  • Feeling out of control

These symptoms can be frightening, especially during stressful times—such as during a harsh Michigan winter, after a car crash on icy roads, or during a sudden life change.

3. Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)

Dissociative identity disorder (DID), previously known as multiple personality disorder, is the most severe and controversial dissociative disorder.

DID involves:

  • Two or more distinct personality states or “identities” within the same person
  • These different states may have their own:
    • Voice tone
    • Body language
    • Memories
    • Preferences and outlook on life

The person typically:

  • Experiences memory gaps or “lost time”
  • May not be aware of the other personality states
  • May switch between states, especially under stress or emotional triggers

People with DID almost always also have dissociative amnesia.

Causes of Dissociative Disorders

Most mental health professionals believe that dissociative disorders are strongly linked to trauma, especially in childhood.

Childhood Trauma

Common examples include:

  • Repeated physical abuse
  • Sexual abuse
  • Severe emotional abuse or neglect
  • Growing up in an unpredictable, frightening, or chaotic home

Children in these environments may “disconnect” from reality during times of extreme stress as a way to cope. Over time, this coping strategy can become an automatic response, leading to dissociative symptoms in adulthood.

The severity of dissociative disorders later in life often relates to:

  • How early the trauma began
  • How long it lasted
  • How severe and repeated the trauma was

Adult Trauma

Trauma in adulthood can also lead to dissociative disorders, including:

  • War or combat experiences
  • Torture or kidnapping
  • Serious accidents (such as highway crashes common in winter)
  • Natural disasters (for example, severe storms, flooding, or other emergencies in the Great Lakes region)
  • Violent crime or assault

Possible Complications of Dissociative Disorders

Without proper treatment, dissociative disorders can lead to serious life difficulties, such as:

  • Relationship problems, separation, or divorce
  • Job loss or difficulty maintaining work or school performance
  • Sleep problems, including insomnia or nightmares
  • Sexual difficulties
  • Severe depression
  • Anxiety disorders, including panic attacks or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • Eating disorders, such as anorexia or bulimia
  • Problematic drug use or alcoholism
  • Self-harm or suicidal thoughts and behaviors

If you or someone you care about in Grand Rapids is in immediate danger of self-harm or suicide, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department at Corewell Health Butterworth Hospital, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, or another local hospital right away.

Diagnosis of Dissociative Disorders in Grand Rapids

Ruling Out Physical Causes

Before diagnosing a dissociative disorder, healthcare professionals must rule out physical or neurological conditions that can cause similar symptoms, such as:

  • Head trauma or concussion
  • Brain tumors or other neurological conditions
  • Side effects of prescription medications
  • Substance use (including alcohol and recreational drugs)

Considering Other Mental Health Conditions

Several mental health conditions can cause symptoms that overlap with dissociation, including:

  • Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
  • Panic disorder
  • Major depressive disorder
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • Certain personality disorders

A thorough evaluation may include:

  • A detailed personal and medical history
  • Psychological assessment and questionnaires
  • Interviews about trauma history and current stressors
  • Possible brain imaging or lab tests to rule out medical causes

In Grand Rapids, diagnosis is typically made by:

  • Psychiatrists
  • Clinical psychologists
  • Licensed mental health professionals

You can access these services through major systems like Corewell Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, and local mental health clinics.

Treatment for Dissociative Disorders

Treatment is tailored to the individual and the specific dissociative disorder, but most approaches include psychotherapy and, when appropriate, medication for associated symptoms.

Psychotherapy (“Talk Therapy”)

Psychotherapy is usually long-term and may include:

  • Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) – helps identify and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors
  • Trauma-focused therapies – address traumatic memories in a safe, structured way
  • Psychodynamic or psychoanalytic therapy – explores past experiences and unconscious patterns
  • Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) – can help with emotion regulation and self-harm behaviors

Key goals of therapy include:

  • Reducing dissociative symptoms
  • Safely processing traumatic experiences
  • Improving coping skills and emotional regulation
  • Strengthening a stable sense of identity and self

In Grand Rapids, many therapists and counseling centers specialize in trauma-informed care, which is especially important for dissociative disorders.

Medication

There are no medications that specifically “cure” dissociative disorders. However, doctors may prescribe medications to help manage related symptoms, such as:

  • Antidepressants – for depression, anxiety, or mood symptoms
  • Anti-anxiety medications – for severe anxiety or panic
  • Antipsychotic medications – in specific cases, usually under the care of a psychiatrist

Medication is often used alongside psychotherapy, not as a replacement.

Creating a Safe, Supportive Environment

Effective treatment requires:

  • A safe, calm, and predictable environment
  • Support from trusted family members or friends
  • Stability in housing, work, or school when possible

In a city like Grand Rapids, where seasonal changes and winter weather can affect mood and stress levels, building a strong support system and planning for winter mental health (light exposure, social connection, regular activity) can be especially helpful.

Local Resources for Dissociative Disorders in Grand Rapids, MI

If you suspect you or a loved one may have a dissociative disorder, consider these local options:

  • Primary Care Provider (PCP)

    • Start with your family doctor for an initial evaluation and referral.

  • Mental Health Professionals

    • Psychologists
    • Psychiatrists
    • Licensed professional counselors and clinical social workers
    • Many are available through:
      • Corewell Health (Spectrum Health)
      • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
      • Metro Health – University of Michigan Health
      • Mercy Health
      • Independent counseling practices in Grand Rapids and surrounding Kent County

  • Kent County Health Department & Grand Rapids Public Health Resources

    • Offer information, referrals, and sometimes low-cost or sliding-scale mental health services.

  • Community Mental Health Services

    • Local organizations and non-profits may provide counseling, crisis services, and support groups.

If you are unsure where to start, you can:

  • Call your insurance provider and ask for in-network mental health providers in Grand Rapids
  • Contact the Kent County Health Department for mental health resource information
  • Ask your PCP for a referral to a psychiatrist or psychologist

Key Points About Dissociation and Dissociative Disorders in Grand Rapids

  • Dissociation is a disconnection from thoughts, feelings, memories, or identity.
  • Mild dissociation after trauma is common and often resolves without treatment.
  • Some people develop dissociative disorders that require professional care.
  • Main types include dissociative amnesia, depersonalization/derealization disorder, and dissociative identity disorder.
  • Symptoms often involve feeling disconnected, memory gaps, identity confusion, and difficulty managing emotions.
  • Trauma—especially in childhood—is the leading cause of dissociative disorders.
  • Untreated dissociative disorders can lead to depression, anxiety, substance use, relationship problems, and self-harm.
  • Diagnosis should be made by qualified mental health professionals after ruling out medical causes.
  • Treatment usually includes long-term psychotherapy and, when needed, medication for associated symptoms.
  • In Grand Rapids, residents can access care through major health systems, private practices, and public health resources.

If you live in Grand Rapids, MI, and are experiencing symptoms of dissociation, reaching out for help is a strong and important first step toward recovery.