Darkness to Dialogue: Living Well With Mental Illness

Understanding Dissociation: A Personal and Practical Guide to Mental Health Recovery A Glimpse Inside My Experience Sometimes I look around and feel a sudden disconnect from the world, streets that should feel familiar look strange, and memories collapse into each other. That disorienting sensation is dissociation, a symptom linked to trauma, chronic stress, and mental illness. Living with anxiety and depression means these moments can appear without warning. Acknowledging them instead of pushing them aside has become an essential part of my recovery. “Dissociation is not a flaw. It’s a signal that the mind is coping with overwhelming experiences.” The Layers of Dissociation Dissociation shows up in different ways: a sense of detachment from your surroundings, watching yourself from a distance, or losing track of time. In my twenties, after surviving early trauma, sexual assault, and domestic violence, I began noticing stretches of life that felt compressed or strangely distant. Re...

  How Heightened Perception Shapes Mental Health Recovery The Quiet Power That Became a Burden I used to think I was just too sensitive. I’d notice the slightest shift in someone’s tone, a microexpression others dismissed, or tension in the room before anyone spoke. These cues meant everything to me because earlier in life, those small signals were early warnings of danger. One memory stands out vividly. When I was in maybe fourth or fifth grade, I went to a classmate’s house. Things started off fine, but I quickly began to feel uneasy. The house was dim, the blinds closed, and there was an odd heaviness in the air. At one point, the parent made a comment about my appearance in a way that felt uncomfortable. We spent a little time in her room, but soon I felt sick to my stomach. I wanted to leave, but I didn’t want to alarm my friend or have to explain why. So I tried to think of a subtle way out. I suggested we go for a walk, and when I saw another friend’s house nearby, I pr...