In its most basic form, dissociation is a normal cognitive response when the nervous system is overwhelmed by outer stimuli. For instance, say you are riding your bike and hit something in the road causing you to fall and hit your head on the pavement. You might feel stunned and confused as you try to stand up. You may feel briefly disconnected from the outer world, as you piece together what just happened. You may feel like you are inside a dream. This is a natural response to an unexpected frightening event, as your brain attempts to process complex and overwhelming information, including the emotional fear response and the physical sensations of injury. The brain attempts to buffer the experience for you.
The good news is that treatment for dissociation exists and more research is being done every day to learn how to best manage it. Professional counselors, psychologists, psychiatrists, and social workers are good resources to help you manage your symptoms. Many forms of psychotherapy have proven helpful for dissociative disorders, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and trauma sensitive yoga. Medications are sometimes, but not always used as treatment. Specialized assessments and phases of treatment have been developed for these disorders.
In summary, dissociation is treatable and not as uncommon as you may think. A therapeutic alliance with a trusted professional can help return you to connected awareness. It may not be a simple or easy process, but is it possible!