Is it normal to dissociate?

This happens to me when I'm facing a traumatic experience such as death, christmas, talking to people. It feels like I'm watching myself and things seem surreal to me. it happens when I get really nervous too. Especially at christmas, I just feel weird about it. Like it's not actually happening. It's difficult to explain. Plus when I look at myself, I don't really see the person I'm suppose to be. It's like looking at a different person.

if you were here where I am yes it is normal for dissociation to happen.

here where I am there are many kinds of dissociation. theres normal non disordered dissociation and then theres the dissociation that fits the diagnostic criteria that my location uses (DSM 5) you can read about dissociation through your treatment provider and by going to your local library. they both will be able to tell you all about dissociation according to what your location and treatment providers go by.

in me the situations you put in your posts are called normal, stress, dissociation and many other names too depending upon other accompanying symptoms.

suggestion contact your treatment provider if this continues to bother you, they will help you with this so that it doesnt keep happening for you.

Hard to say. I have had similar experiences myself, although not so much dissociation from events. Just a general sense of derealization. It hasn't occurred in recent times, but I have experienced this in the past. Whether or not it is a normal experience or derealization/dissociation in the clinical sense of the term depends on the degree of dissociation. Talk to your therapist about it if you are concerned.

Dissociation really happens on a spectrum. Almost everyone has had a form of dissociation at one point or another. Driving home after a long day, and realizing you don't remember the drive, is a form of it. Being bored and staring off into space, caught up in whatever is in your head, can be it also.

But like any other spectrum, there are levels of severity, and often levels of distress that come with it.

For example, the two I listed are kind of normal, but if they were to really bother a person, it may be worth asking or talking about. Also, there may be someone who loses chunks of time, but it doesn't really bother them. It is still worth asking about, because that is more severe dissociation.

A couple of the things you listed, holidays and dealing with loss... both of those can cause "normal" dissociation. Both can make us all want to hide, or at least me because of anxiety and avoidance, and dissociation is a way to disconnect and separate from what is going on externally and sometimes internally.

But if it bothers you or if it lasts a while and doesn't get better, it is definitely worth asking about. Trust me, your pdoc or t would rather you ask and it be normal, than for you to keep it to yourself and it be a real problem.

Correct me if I'm wrong but, it sounds like what you are trying to describe is a 'feeling of unreality'. Is that right? The other part that you mentioned, near the end of your post reminds me of how I feel when I shift to another personality who not only feels different but, has a different look in their eyes. When looking in the mirror it is unmistakable that someone else is in the driver's seat.
Another thing that I ran across while doing a search on dissociate -because I like to understand whatever I'm reading and try to get accurate definitions- was a symptom explained as "Feeling that people are automated and inhuman". This is something that has bothered me since early childhood and lead to much speculation on who I am and if other people are really real or not, a while back I did come to accept others as real beings with real feelings but, the suspicion that that may not be the case always lingers in the back of my mind. This has lead to some pretty 'out there' thoughts with me, trying to make sense of it all. That and I have a questioning, analytical mind that tends to dwell on things. I'm never satisfied until I have the answer or think that I have the answer.
So, does any of this make sense to you? Does any of what I said sound familiar?

EDIT 2: EDIT 1 Removed

I can relate to what you are saying. It does make sense to me in a way.

I'm glad that I was able to help out a little. Also, my apologies. Your original question. "Is it normal to dissociate?" For those who have suffered childhood trauma and/or other intense traumas, I would say "Yes!" Very normal. I believe that some of our dissociative experiences are a side effect of the mind's reaction to trauma. Just like other conditions can come with side effects like diabetes and blood pressure and blood sugar levels and so on. So, I feel that it is all very normal as part of the mind's natural response to trauma and an attempt to cope.

Geez, what's normal?!! For us it's not only a familiar event but a necessary one. When we lose time even briefly for us it's a sign there is an issue we need to deal with. Or it can tell us we need a time out to replenish our resources...food, sleep,rest.... We have disassociated intentionally when feeling overwhelmed. Now we are less likely to force ourselves into situations we think we 'must' attend or stay longer then we can comfortably handle. We are much gentler with our selves.