[Panel 1: Tips For Dissociation by Christine Deneweth.]

[Panel 2 and 3: Shelby, a person with short blonde hair, a baseball cap, and a red t-shirt. She says, “Hi, my name is Shelby, and I regularly experience disassociation. Disassociation is like mentally checking out from your immediate surrounding. I’ve come up with a few ways to keep you grounded.”]

[Panel 4: Plain-text saying “First off, let’s be clear we understand disassociation. Disassociation is detachment from your immediate surroundings, and/or physical or emotional experience.]

[Panel 5: Drawing of an eyeball with a hand instead of a pupil. Text says, “What does it feel like? It can take several forms but most commonly it feels like you’re out of your body or watching a movie or your life rather than participating.]

[Panel 6: Drawing of a figure looking in a mirror. Text says, “More extreme forms of disassociation include fugue and dissociative disorders. A fugue state results in amnesia and confusion in identity.”]

[Panel 7: Drawing of a brain with a stop sign on it. Text reads, “Disassociation is a defense mechanism for the brain because of trauma, conflict, stress or even boredom.”]

[Panel 8 and 9: Shelby saying, “Disassociation can get in the way of everyday life and it can be hard to avoid when you regularly experience it. Let’s get into a list of how to stay grounded when you feel like you’re about to disassociate.”]

[Panel 10: Number one. Drawing of grass and a flower with text that says, “Literally ground yourself.”]

[Panel 11: Drawing of a foot with text that says, “Take off your shoes and stand on the ground. Focus on the sensation.”]

[Panel 12: Shelby saying, “Tactile sensations help to refocus your attention and keep you form disassociating.”]

[Panel 13: Number two. The numbers 1 to 5 with text that says, “Count different coloured things in the room.”]

[Panel 14: A yard with a birdbath, beach ball, and pond with text that says, “Look around the space you’re in and count five red things, then five blue things, and so on.”]

[Panel 15: Shelby saying, “Being actively aware of your surroundings keeps you from disassociating.”]

[Panel 16: Number three. Drawing of a hand with text that says, “Stimulate your senses.”]

[Panel 17: Drawing of gum, air freshener, and a rock with text that says, “Chew some gum, spray your favourite scent, carry a rough rock around with you to touch.”]

[Panel 18: Shelby saying, “By stimulating your senses you can avoid disassociating.”]

[Panel 19: Number four. Text saying, “Run through your senses.”]

[Panel 20: Drawing of a hand, a nose, and an eye with text that says, “Stop and run through each of your senses. What do you see, hear, smell, taste, and feel?”]

[Panel 21: Shelby saying, “This one is great for when you feel like you’re about to disassociate because it directly connects your brain to its surroundings.”]

[Panel 22: Number five. Drawing of a melting ice cube with text saying, “Pick up ice cubes or splash your face with cold water.”]

[Panel 23: Drawing of melting ice cube and sink with text that says, “If you’re at home and feel yourself slipping, hold onto some ice cubes. If you’re out, splash some cold water on your face.”]

[Panel 24: Shelby saying, “This is a way to shock yourself back into actively being aware of the surroundings.”]

[Panel 25 to 27: Shelby saying, “Disassociation is widely experienced but rarely talked about. So many people experience it that it should be talked about more. You aren’t alone. Don’t be afraid to talk about it. And when you feel it coming on, fight back! You are strong enough to do it!”]

Comic made by Christine Deneweth for Everyday Feminism.