Understanding Dissociative Disorders
and Their Types
and Their Types
Dissociative disorders are a group of mental health conditions that involve disruptions or breakdowns of memory, awareness, identity, or perception. These disorders are often a response to trauma, and they serve as a coping mechanism to protect the individual from overwhelming stress. In this post, we will explore what dissociative disorders are, their causes, symptoms, and the different types.
Dissociative disorders are characterised by an involuntary escape from reality, typically involving a disconnection between thoughts, identity, consciousness, and memory. People with dissociative disorders escape reality in ways that are involuntary and unhealthy, causing problems with functioning in everyday life.
The primary cause of dissociative disorders is severe trauma, often during early childhood. This can include physical, sexual, or emotional abuse, or a traumatic event such as an accident or natural disaster. The mind's ability to cope with the trauma by dissociating helps the individual avoid the full impact of the event.
Symptoms of dissociative disorders can vary but often include:
Dissociative Amnesia
Dissociative amnesia involves memory loss that is more severe than normal forgetfulness and that can’t be explained by a medical condition. This amnesia usually center on a specific event or period of time, such as combat or abuse. In severe cases, it may involve forgetting personal information and identity.
Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)
Formerly known as multiple personality disorder, DID is characterised by the presence of two or more distinct personality states or identities within a single person. Each identity may have its own name, age, history, and characteristics. DID is often a result of severe trauma during early childhood.
Depersonalisation/Derealisation Disorder
This type of dissociative disorder involves ongoing feelings of detachment from actions, feelings, thoughts, or sensations (depersonalisation), or the surroundings (derealisation). It can feel like you are observing yourself from outside your body or that things around you aren’t real. Episodes can be incredibly distressing and disruptive to everyday functioning.
Other Specified Dissociative Disorder (OSDD) and Unspecified Dissociative Disorder
These categories are used for dissociative symptoms that do not meet the full criteria for any of the specific dissociative disorders. OSDD might include conditions such as chronic and recurrent syndromes of mixed dissociative symptoms or dissociative trance. Unspecified Dissociative Disorder might be diagnosed when symptoms do not fit the criteria for any other specific category but are causing significant distress or impairment.
Effective treatment for dissociative disorders often involves psychotherapy, such as behavioural therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), or specialised trauma-focused therapies like EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing). The goal of therapy is to integrate the dissociated aspects of identity and memory and to develop healthy coping mechanisms.
Medication might be used to address related symptoms such as anxiety or depression but isn’t typically the primary treatment for dissociative disorders.
Understanding dissociative disorders is crucial for providing appropriate support and treatment for those affected. These disorders are complex responses to trauma, serving as coping mechanisms for individuals dealing with severe stress. With proper therapy and support, individuals with dissociative disorders can work towards integrating their experiences and improving their quality of life.
If you or someone you know is struggling with symptoms of dissociation, seeking professional help is an important step towards healing and recovery.
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