Dissociative Identity Disorder Dissociation is defined as the disconnection from self-awareness, time, and/or external circumstances. It is a very complex process. Dissociation can exists from normal everyday experiences to disorders that interfere with everyday life. Normal dissociation consists of: highway hypnosis (a trance-like feeling that develops as the miles go by), "getting lost" in a book or movie so that one loses a sense of passing time and surroundings, and daydreaming. Dissociation is a common defense against childhood abuse, mostly sexual. Children dissociate much more than adults. When a child is face with overwhelming abu