Dissociative Disorders: Things to Know

What Are Dissociative Disorders?

Dissociative disorders are mental health conditions that involve disruptions or breakdowns in memory, awareness, identity, or perception. These disorders often develop as a way to cope with trauma. 

Common types include:

• Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID): Previously called multiple personality disorder.
• Dissociative Amnesia: Inability to recall important personal information.
• Depersonalization/Derealization Disorder: Feeling detached from one’s self or surroundings.

What Causes Dissociative Disorders?

Dissociative disorders are most commonly linked to overwhelming stress or trauma, especially in early childhood. This can include:

• Emotional, physical, or sexual abuse
• Natural disasters or war
• Long-term neglect

What Are the Symptoms?

Symptoms can vary depending on the specific disorder but often include:

• Memory gaps or blackouts
• A sense of being outside one’s body
• Multiple identities or voices inside the head
• Emotional numbness or detachment from reality

How Are Dissociative Disorders Diagnosed?

Diagnosis typically involves:

• A psychological evaluation
• Rule-outs for neurological conditions
• Use of standardized tools like the Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES)

Psychiatrists may also look for patterns of dissociation linked to trauma.

How Are They Treated?

Treatment usually focuses on helping individuals integrate aspects of their identity and cope with trauma. This may include:

• Psychotherapy (talk therapy): Often the primary treatment.
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Helps change negative thinking.
• EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing): Useful for trauma.
• Medication: To manage anxiety, depression, or mood symptoms.

Can Dissociative Disorders Go Away?

With the right treatment, many people experience significant improvement. Full recovery can be possible, especially if therapy begins early. However, the process may take years and requires consistent support.

Who Is at Risk?

People who experienced long-term childhood trauma are most at risk. This includes:

• Victims of abuse
• Refugees or those exposed to war
• Survivors of severe accidents or disasters

 What’s the Difference Between Dissociation and Daydreaming?

Dissociation exists on a spectrum. Mild dissociation (like zoning out while driving) is common and not harmful. Clinical dissociation, however, disrupts daily life and sense of self.

How Common Are Dissociative Disorders?

Estimates vary, but research suggests that:

• Around 1–2% of the population may have Dissociative Identity Disorder.
• Dissociation is more common than previously believed, especially in trauma survivors.

Living With a Dissociative Disorder

People with dissociative disorders can lead fulfilling lives. Key factors that support recovery include:

• Access to trauma-informed care
• Supportive relationships
• A stable, safe environment

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the most common dissociative disorder?
   Dissociative Amnesia is considered the most common type, often linked to trauma or extreme stress.
   
   
2. Is dissociative identity disorder the same as schizophrenia?
   No. DID involves multiple identities and dissociation, while schizophrenia is a psychotic disorder characterized by delusions, hallucinations, and disorganized thinking.
   
   
3. What is the difference between depersonalization and derealization
   Depersonalization is feeling disconnected from your body or self; derealization is feeling like the world around you is unreal or distorted.
4. Is dissociation a form of PTSD?
   Dissociation can occur in PTSD, especially in its dissociative subtype, but dissociative disorders are a separate diagnostic category in the DSM-5.
   
   
5. How do people act when they dissociate?
   They may appear spaced out, forgetful, emotionally detached, or seem to “check out” during stress. In severe cases, they may lose time or act like different people.
   
   
6. What is an example of dissociation?
   A mild example is daydreaming or “zoning out.” A severe example is losing hours of time and later realizing you traveled somewhere with no memory of how you got there.
   
   
7. What happens in the brain during dissociation?Dissociation is linked to changes in brain regions that process memory, emotion, and self-perception, particularly the amygdala, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex.