Dissociation

Navigate the world of Ketamine with clarity and confidence. Our glossary simplifies the essential terms, empowering you to support every learner’s journey.

What is Dissociation

Dissociation is a feeling of detachment from your body, thoughts, or surroundings, often described as watching yourself from outside or feeling emotionally numb. The world may seem distant or unreal, making it hard to connect with reality. These episodes can be brief or prolonged and often occur in response to stress or trauma.

Common Signs

Feeling disconnected from your body or actions
Emotional numbness or lack of feeling
Memory gaps or lapses in time
Feeling like people or places are unfamiliar or unreal
A sense that time is speeding up or slowing down

Why It Happens

Often triggered by trauma or overwhelming stress
The brain may use dissociation as a protective mechanism against emotional pain
Can occur during panic attacks, episodes of anxiety, or flashbacks
Duration can range from a few minutes to long-term episodes

Conditions Related to Dissociation

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)
Anxiety disorders and depression

How It Affects Life

Difficulty concentrating or remembering information
Emotional disconnection or avoidance
Feelings of confusion or fear
Challenges in maintaining relationships or daily routines
May interfere with the effectiveness of therapy if not addressed

Ways to Treat Dissociation

Grounding techniques to reconnect with the present moment
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and trauma-focused therapy
Medication for co-occurring conditions like anxiety or depression
Establishing and maintaining a daily routine
Support from trusted individuals or mental health professionals

Dissociation in Ketamine Treatment

Ketamine may produce temporary dissociative effects
These effects are closely monitored and managed in clinical settings
Some individuals report that this dissociation is beneficial during guided therapy sessions

At Ketamine, we take your privacy seriously. We’ll only use your personal information to manage your account and provide the products and services you’ve requested from us.

What to Expect from Ketamine Therapy?

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) causes hard-to-control worry about everyday life on most days for at

Bipolar Depression

Bipolar depression is the low-mood phase of bipolar disorder, with sadness, low energy, poor focus,

Suicidal Ideation

Suicidal ideation means thoughts about death or ending one’s life, from passive wishes not to

Booster Infusion

A booster infusion is an IV ketamine session given after the initial treatment series when

GAD-7

The GAD-7 is a seven-question screening tool that measures anxiety symptoms over the past two

PHQ-9

The PHQ-9 is a nine-question tool used to screen for depression and measure symptom severity

MAO Inhibitor (MAOI)

MAO inhibitors (MAOIs) are older antidepressants that slow the breakdown of serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine.

SNRI (Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor)

SNRIs are antidepressants that increase serotonin and norepinephrine signaling by reducing their reuptake. They are

SSRI (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor)

SSRIs are common antidepressants that reduce serotonin reuptake, increasing its availability between nerve cells over

Induction Series

An induction series is the first, more frequent phase of ketamine-based treatment. For Spravato, the

TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation)

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a noninvasive treatment using focused magnetic pulses to stimulate mood-related

Racemic Ketamine

Racemic ketamine contains equal amounts of ketamine’s R and S forms. In psychiatry, IV racemic

Spravato

Spravato is the brand name for esketamine nasal spray, an FDA-approved treatment for adults with

REMS Protocol

The Spravato REMS is an FDA-required safety program for risks such as sedation, dissociation, breathing

Off-Label Use

Off-label use means an FDA-approved medicine is prescribed in a way not approved on its

BDNF (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor)

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a protein that supports neuron growth, survival, and synaptic plasticity.

Glutamate

Glutamate is the brain’s main excitatory chemical messenger and supports learning, memory, and nerve-cell communication.

NMDA Receptor

The NMDA receptor is a type of glutamate receptor involved in learning, memory, and synaptic

Esketamine

Esketamine is the S form of the ketamine molecule and the active ingredient in Spravato