Dissociative Disorder

Dissociative Disorders are conditions that involve involuntary escape from reality and are often associated with disruptions/ breakdowns of memory, awareness, identity, or perception.

There are different types of Dissociative Disorders, including:

Disruption of identity, resulting in two or more distinct personality states.

An inability to recall important autobiographical information, usually of a traumatic nature.

Experiences of unreality and detachment with respect to one's thoughts, feelings, sensations, body, or actions (depersonalisation) or surroundings (derealisation).

In general, symptoms of Dissociative Disorders include:

• Significant memory loss of specific times, people, and events (Dissociative Amnesia)
• Out-of-body experiences
• A sense of detachment from one's emotions (Depersonalisation/Derealisation Disorder)
• A lack of sense of self-identity

Treatment for Dissociative Disorders comprises one or more of the following:

• Cognitive behavioural therapy to develop skills to better manage stressful situations and symptoms
• Stress reduction and distraction techniques
• Physiotherapy or occupational therapy to help to improve one's ability to function (for conversion disorder)