Why Do You Zone Out? The Science of Dissociation

Explore why we zone out, what dissociation is, how stress and trauma affect the mind, and simple grounding tools to feel more present. Have you ever arrived somewhere and realised you don't remember the journey? Lost track of a conversation? Or felt strangely disconnected from yourself, your surroundings or your emotions? Most of us experience moments like these. We often describe them as "zoning out" or being "on autopilot." Psychologists refer to these experiences as everyday dissociation. But dissociation exists on a spectrum, and understanding it can change the way we think about stress, trauma and the nervous system. The talk will begin by exploring what we mean by the “self”, how our sense of self develops, and how trauma can disrupt our connection with it, before looking at dissociation as a spectrum of responses to overwhelming experiences. In this Mind Circles Talk, mental health practitioner Bilge Kıvrak explores the psychology of dissociation, explaining why the mind sometimes disconnects as a way of responding to stress, trauma and overwhelming experiences. Drawing on psychology, neuroscience and trauma-informed practice, Bilge will explain what dissociation is, why it happens, and how experiences such as feeling emotionally numb, disconnected from yourself or detached from your surroundings may be more common than many people realise. Together, we'll explore questions including: • What do we mean by the “self”, and how does our sense of self develop? • Why do we zone out? • What is dissociation, and why does it happen? • How are trauma, stress and the nervous system connected? • Why can we sometimes feel disconnected from ourselves or the world around us? • What practical techniques can help us feel more grounded and present? You'll also be introduced to grounding techniques and take part in a gentle group grounding exercise inspired by EMDR principles, offering practical ways to reconnect with the present. Whether you're curious about your own experiences or want to better understand someone else's, this talk offers an accessible, evidence-based introduction to one of psychology's most misunderstood topics. Event Schedule Please arrive by 19:15 to check in and get settled before the talk begins, door will close at this time so we can start the talk promptly at `19:30. 19:00 – 19:30 Arrival & Warm-Up Activity Guest arrival and informal connection. A guided warm-up activity (optional) to help you notice your own nervous system patterns before the talk begins 19:30 – 20:15 Talk: Why Do You Zone Out? The Science of Dissocation Bilge explores why we zone out, what dissociation is, how stress and trauma affect the mind, and simple grounding tools to feel more present. 20:15 – 20:30 Q&A A chance to ask questions and deepen the conversation 20:30 – 21:00 Optional Networking Continue the discussion You'll Discover • How our sense of self develops • Understanding dissociation as a spectrum • The difference between everyday dissociation and more significant dissociative experiences • How stress and trauma influence the brain and nervous system • Why we sometimes feel disconnected from ourselves or our surroundings • Practical grounding techniques to help you reconnect with the present About the Speaker Bilge Kıvrak is a mental health practitioner, speaker and co-founder of Ground Me, a London-based mental health start-up focused on dissociation and trauma-informed digital support. She holds a degree in Psychology and a Master's in Mental Health and Clinical Psychology, and has over six years’ clinical experience supporting adults with a range of mental health difficulties, including trauma and dissociation. Through Ground Me, Bilge is developing evidence-informed digital tools that help people better understand emotional awareness, presence, memory and focus. Passionate about making psychology accessible, she combines clinical practice, trauma-informed care and innovation to help people better understand themselves and apply psychological insights in everyday life. Ground Me Ground Me is a London-based mental health tech startup and self-help app focused on dissociation, grounding techniques, and trauma-informed digital support. The app helps people recognise, understand, and manage mild to moderate dissociation, including zoning out, feeling disconnected, going on autopilot, or feeling detached from the body, emotions, memory, or surroundings. Ground Me is currently free to use and offers evidence-informed tools such as dissociation measurement, grounding exercises, personalised guidance, and immediate self-help support. It is designed to support emotional awareness, focus, memory, and presence in everyday life, but is not a diagnostic tool or replacement for therapy. Ground Me Website: https://groundme.app/ Ticket Options In Person: 1. (a)-(e) Livestream/Recording: 2. • (a) Early Bird: Discounted early-access ticket. Includes in-person entry, livestream access, and recording. (b) Community Ticket: Lower-cost ticket for students, lower-income attendees, carers, or anyone currently facing financial barriers. Includes in-person entry, livestream access, and recording. (c) General Admission: Standard in-person ticket. Includes livestream access and recording. (d) Final Release: Final allocation of in-person tickets. Includes livestream access and recording. (e) Bring a friend (admits 2): Grab a +1 and share the fun! Includes in person tickets, livestream access and recording for both. • Livestream & Recording: ONLY remote access ticket with livestream and recording included.All recordings will be shared privately within 4 weeks of the event. Venue: Trapeze Bar, 89 Great Eastern St, London EC2A 3HX Please allow a little extra time if travelling during peak hours, major sporting events, or potential travel disruption. At the time of publishing, there are no planned strike actions. However, this may change, so we recommend checking your route before purchasing tickets if you may be affected, as tickets are non-refundable. https://tfl.gov.uk/campaign/strikes For venue information, please visit: https://trapezebar.co.uk/ Age & IDs: the event takes place in a bar venue, you may be asked to show valid ID. Please bring identification if you look under 25, otherwise you may be refused entry to the establishment. Enquiries & Waitlist: Please do not contact the speaker or founder directly regarding tickets. Use the Eventbrite contact function or join the waitlist.If events sell out, additional dates may be released. Waitlist members should monitor their inbox, including spam or junk folders. Ticket offers remain valid for 6 hours before being released to the next person. On-the-Day Tickets: No tickets will be available at the door. Livestream Access: A livestream + recording only option is available, and is also included with in-person tickets. You will find the access details in your original Eventbrite email confirmation. Photography & Recording: Photos and recordings may be taken for promotional and archival purposes.If you’d prefer not to be included, please email us in advance or speak to the team on the day. Talk Recording: The talk will be recorded and shared privately with attendees within 4 weeks. The recording is for personal use only.If you haven’t received it within 4 weeks, please check your spam or junk folder before getting in touch. The link will expire after 3 months. Arrival Time: Please arrive by 19:15 and be seated before the talk begins to avoid disruption. Stay in the Circle: You’ll be added to the Mind Circles Talks mailing list after booking. You can opt out at any time. Get Early-Release Tickets: Join our Inner Circle WhatsApp broadcast channel for early-release tickets and Mind Circles Talks updates: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb88bk9IHphC26a10B14