Dissociative disorders are mental health conditions that involve experiencing a loss of connection between thoughts, memories, feelings, surroundings, behavior, and identity. These conditions often develop as a response to traumatic events, such as abuse or severe stress. People with dissociative disorders may feel detached from reality, experience memory loss, or have a blurred sense of identity.
Types of Dissociative Disorders
Depersonalization/Derealization Disorder: This involves persistent feelings of being detached from oneself or feeling that the surroundings are unreal or distorted.
Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID): Individuals with DID have two or more distinct identities or personality states that control their behavior at different times.
Dissociative Amnesia: This condition is characterized by significant memory loss of specific events, people, or personal information.
Dissociative Fugue: This condition is rare, and it involves a person to experience temporary memory loss and disorientation. Someone experiencing a dissociative fugue may find themselves in a new geographical place and unable to remember who they are.
Symptoms of dissociative disorders can vary but may include:
- Memory loss (amnesia) of certain time periods, events, or personal information.
- Feeling detached from oneself or surroundings.
- Distorted perceptions of reality.
- Emotional numbness or a lack of a sense of self-identity.
- Mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts.
Treatment Options
Treatment for dissociative disorders typically involves a combination of psychotherapy (talk therapy) and, in some cases, medication. Some common treatment approaches are:
- Psychotherapy: This is the primary treatment for dissociative disorders. It involves talking about the disorder and related issues with a mental health professional. Therapies such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and complex trauma therapies can be particularly helpful.
- Medication: While there are no medications specifically for dissociative disorders, antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, or antipsychotic medications may be prescribed to address co-occurring symptoms like depression or anxiety.
- Supportive Care: Building a strong support system with friends, family, and support groups can also be beneficial.
Living with Dissociative Disorders
Living with dissociative disorders can be heavy and sometimes even scary. With professional treatment, many people with dissociative disorders can manage their symptoms and improve their daily functioning. It’s important to seek help from a mental health professional experienced in treating trauma-related disorders.
The reenactment depicted in this clip demonstrates some of the challenges that living with dissociative identity disorder can pose. If you can relate to what the woman in this clip is experiencing, please know that help is available.