Dissociative Disorder is a condition that involves a disruption in a person’s consciousness, memory, identity and perception of their surroundings. It is a complex mental health disorder that can manifest in various ways including dissociative amnesia, dissociative identity disorder (DID) depersonalization or derealization disorder and other unspecified dissociative disorders. People with Dissociative Disorder may experience gaps in their memory, lose track of time, feel detached from their thoughts or emotions and develop different identities or personalities.
Types Of Dissociative Disorder
Dissociative disorders are a group of mental health conditions that involve disruptions or disturbances in a person’s memory, identity, consciousness and perception of reality. There are three main types of dissociative disorders:
Dissociative amnesia: This type of dissociative disorder involves memory loss that cannot be explained by ordinary forgetfulness. People with dissociative amnesia may have gaps in their memory for important personal information such as their name, address or family members.
Dissociative identity disorder (DID): Formerly known as multiple personality disorder, DID is a condition in which a person has two or more distinct personalities or identities each with its own set of behaviors, thoughts and emotions. These identities may take control of the person’s behavior at different times and the person may not be aware of their actions during those times.
Depersonalization derealization disorder: This type of dissociative disorder involves feeling disconnected from oneself or one’s surroundings. People with depersonalization derealization disorder may feel like they are observing themselves from outside their own body or that the world around them is not real.
Some experts consider dissociative fugue which involves sudden travel away from home and an inability to remember one’s past to be a subtype of dissociative amnesia while others consider it a separate disorder. Additionally, some researchers argue that other conditions such as borderline personality disorder and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may also involve dissociation.
Symptoms Of Dissociative Disorder
Dissociative disorders are a group of mental health conditions that involve disruptions or changes in a person’s sense of identity, consciousness, memory, perception or behavior. Symptoms of dissociative disorders can vary depending on the specific type of dissociative disorder a person experiences but may include:
Amnesia: gaps in memory that are usually related to traumatic or stressful events.
Derealization: feeling as though the world is unreal or distorted or experiencing a sense of detachment from one’s surroundings.
Identity confusion: uncertainty about one’s own identity or multiple identities.
Identity alteration: feeling as though one has assumed a new identity or multiple identities.
Depersonalization: feeling as though one is watching oneself from outside the body or feeling detached from one’s own physical and emotional experiences.
Distorted perception of time: feeling as though time has passed too quickly or too slowly or experiencing gaps in time or memory.
Flashbacks or intrusive memories: re experiencing traumatic events as if they are happening again.
Dissociative symptoms can also be present in other mental health conditions such as post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or borderline personality disorder (BPD) and that a trained mental health professional should conduct a thorough evaluation to make a diagnosis.
Causes Of Dissociative Disorder
The exact causes of dissociative disorders are not fully understood but research suggests that they are often related to traumatic experiences such as abuse, neglect or other forms of interpersonal violence. Other factors that may contribute to the development of dissociative disorders include:
Genetics: There may be a genetic component to dissociative disorders,as they can sometimes run in families.
Substance abuse: Substance abuse especially during adolescence or young adulthood can increase the risk of dissociative disorders.
Childhood trauma: Individuals who experience trauma during childhood such as physical, sexual or emotional abuse are at a higher risk of developing dissociative disorders.
Coping mechanism: Dissociation can be a coping mechanism that the brain uses to protect itself from overwhelming stress or trauma.
Medical conditions: Certain medical conditions such as epilepsy or head injuries can lead to dissociative symptoms.
Other mental health conditions: Dissociative disorders can co occur with other mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety or borderline personality disorder.
Traumatic experiences may contribute to the development of dissociative disorders but not all individuals who experience trauma will develop dissociative symptoms. The development of dissociative disorders is complex and can involve a combination of genetic, environmental and psychological factors.
Risk Factors Of Dissociative Disorder
Some of the risk factors for developing dissociative disorders include:
Age: Dissociative disorders can occur at any age but they are more likely to develop in childhood or early adulthood.
Trauma: Exposure to traumatic events especially during childhood such as physical, sexual or emotional abuse can increase the risk of developing dissociative disorders.
Gender: Dissociative disorders are more common in women than in men.
Genetics: There may be a genetic component to dissociative disorders as they can sometimes run in families.
Social isolation: Individuals who are socially isolated or lack social support may be at a higher risk of developing dissociative disorders.
Substance abuse: Substance abuse especially during adolescence or young adulthood can increase the risk of dissociative disorders.
Poor coping skills: Individuals who lack effective coping skills to deal with stress or trauma may be at a higher risk of developing dissociative disorders.
Other mental health conditions: Individuals with other mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety or post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are at a higher risk of developing dissociative disorders.
These risk factors may increase the likelihood of developing dissociative disorders but not everyone who experiences these factors will develop the condition. Additionally, dissociative disorders can occur in individuals who do not have any of these risk factors.
Diagnosis Of Dissociative Disorder
The diagnosis of dissociative disorders is usually made by a mental health professional such as a psychiatrist or a psychologist. The diagnostic process typically involves:
Diagnostic criteria: The clinician will use the criteria outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM 5) to make a diagnosis. The DSM 5 identifies several types of dissociative disorders including dissociative identity disorder, dissociative amnesia and depersonalization/derealization disorder.
Medical evaluation: The clinician may conduct a physical examination or order laboratory tests to rule out any medical conditions that may be contributing to the individual’s symptoms.
Psychological testing: The clinician may use various psychological tests to assess the individual’s cognitive functioning, memory and emotional state.
A thorough clinical interview: The clinician will conduct a comprehensive interview with the individual to gather information about their symptoms, personal history and any potential risk factors or triggers.
Collaboration with other healthcare providers: The clinician may collaborate with other healthcare providers such as primary care physicians or neurologists to ensure that the individual receives appropriate medical care.
The diagnosis of dissociative disorders can be complex and it often requires a high level of expertise from a trained mental health professional. Additionally, the symptoms of dissociative disorders can overlap with those of other mental health conditions such as post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and a thorough evaluation is necessary to make an accurate diagnosis.
Treatment Of Dissociative Disorder
The treatment of dissociative disorders typically involves a combination of psychotherapy, medication and other supportive measures. The specific treatment approach may vary depending on the individual’s symptoms, the severity of the condition and their personal preferences. Some common treatment approaches include:
Self care: Self care is an important part of managing dissociative disorders. This may include activities such as exercise, healthy eating, getting enough rest and avoiding alcohol and drugs.
Medications: Certain medications such as antidepressants, antipsychotics and anti anxiety medications may be used to treat dissociative disorders. These medications can help to manage symptoms such as depression, anxiety and dissociative episodes.
Group therapy: Group therapy can be helpful for individuals with dissociative disorders as it provides a supportive and validating environment where individuals can connect with others who have had similar experiences.
Psychotherapy: Psychotherapy is also known as talk therapy is a key component of the treatment of dissociative disorders. Various forms of therapy may be used including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR). The goal of therapy is to help the individual identify and process past traumatic experiences, develop coping strategies and manage dissociative symptoms.
Hospitalization: In severe cases, hospitalization may be necessary to ensure the individual’s safety and provide intensive treatment.
Supportive measures: Other supportive measures such as relaxation techniques, stress management strategies and creative therapies may be helpful in managing dissociative symptoms and promoting overall well being.
The treatment of dissociative disorders can be complex and may require a long term commitment. Additionally, individuals with dissociative disorders may have unique needs and treatment considerations and treatment should be tailored to meet their individual needs.
Conclusion
Dissociative disorders are a group of mental health conditions that involve a disruption in an individual’s sense of identity, memory, consciousness or perception. These disorders often develop in response to trauma such as physical, emotional or sexual abuse and can have a significant impact on an individual’s quality of life. It is important for individuals with dissociative disorders to seek professional help as these conditions can be complex and may require a long term commitment to treatment. With appropriate treatment and support individuals with dissociative disorders can manage their symptoms and improve their overall well being.
