People with dissociative disorders are at increased risk of complications and associated disorders, such as: People who experience long-term physical, sexual or emotional abuse during childhood are at greatest risk of developing dissociative disorders.Ĭhildren and adults who experience other traumatic events, such as war, natural disasters, kidnapping, torture, or extended, traumatic, early-life medical procedures, also may develop these conditions. A child who learns to dissociate in order to endure a traumatic experience may use this coping mechanism in response to stressful situations throughout life. So a child is more able than an adult to step outside of himself or herself and observe trauma as though it's happening to a different person. Personal identity is still forming during childhood. The stress of war or natural disasters also can bring on dissociative disorders. The disorders most often form in children subjected to long-term physical, sexual or emotional abuse or, less often, a home environment that's frightening or highly unpredictable. Causesĭissociative disorders usually develop as a way to cope with trauma. In the U.S., call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you have thoughts of hurting yourself or someone else, call 911 or your local emergency number immediately, go to an emergency room, or confide in a trusted relative or friend. If you or a loved one has less urgent symptoms that may indicate a dissociative disorder, call your doctor. People with these symptoms should be seen in an emergency room. Some people with dissociative disorders present in a crisis with traumatic flashbacks that are overwhelming or associated with unsafe behavior. Symptoms, which can be profoundly distressing, may last only a few moments or come and go over many years. You may experience depersonalization, derealization or both. Other people and things around you may feel detached and foggy or dreamlike, time may be slowed down or sped up, and the world may seem unreal (derealization). This involves an ongoing or episodic sense of detachment or being outside yourself - observing your actions, feelings, thoughts and self from a distance as though watching a movie (depersonalization). Depersonalization-derealization disorder.People with dissociative identity disorder typically also have dissociative amnesia and often have dissociative fugue. There also are differences in how familiar each identity is with the others. Each identity may have a unique name, personal history and characteristics, including obvious differences in voice, gender, mannerisms and even such physical qualities as the need for eyeglasses. You may feel the presence of two or more people talking or living inside your head, and you may feel as though you're possessed by other identities. Formerly known as multiple personality disorder, this disorder is characterized by "switching" to alternate identities. An episode of amnesia usually occurs suddenly and may last minutes, hours, or rarely, months or years. It may sometimes involve travel or confused wandering away from your life (dissociative fugue). Dissociative amnesia can be specific to events in a certain time, such as intense combat, or more rarely, can involve complete loss of memory about yourself. You can't recall information about yourself or events and people in your life, especially from a traumatic time. The main symptom is memory loss that's more severe than normal forgetfulness and that can't be explained by a medical condition. There are three major dissociative disorders defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), published by the American Psychiatric Association: Mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts and behaviors.Inability to cope well with emotional or professional stress.Significant stress or problems in your relationships, work or other important areas of your life.A perception of the people and things around you as distorted and unreal.A sense of being detached from yourself and your emotions.Memory loss (amnesia) of certain time periods, events, people and personal information.Signs and symptoms depend on the type of dissociative disorders you have, but may include: Although treating dissociative disorders can be difficult, many people learn new ways of coping and lead healthy, productive lives. Treatment for dissociative disorders may include talk therapy (psychotherapy) and medication. Times of stress can temporarily worsen symptoms, making them more obvious. Symptoms - ranging from amnesia to alternate identities - depend in part on the type of dissociative disorder you have. Dissociative disorders usually develop as a reaction to trauma and help keep difficult memories at bay.
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