Dissociative Disorders Treatment

Formerly known as multiple personality disorder, this is a disorder characterized by at least two different identities (also known as personality states) or one personality experiencing an alteration of identity. A person with this condition usually has more than one sense of self, each with its own pattern of perceiving, remembering, and interacting with the environment. The existence of different identities is associated with memory loss and confusion, as one personality might be unable to access the memories of another. Dissociative identity disorder tends to be caused by extreme trauma in childhood and needs to be addressed with specialized treatment.

Depersonalization is the feeling of being disconnected from your sense of self and identity, while derealization is the feeling of being disconnected from your surroundings. Some people who experience these symptoms describe feeling like an outside observer of themselves, or as if their life isn’t real. Others may say they feel “going through the motions,” or that things feel “dreamlike.” These symptoms can come and go or be constant. When it affects a person’s life, it can cause serious distress.

Memory loss is a part of everyday life. We all forget people’s names, events, and even important appointments. Dissociative amnesia is more serious, and it involves gaps in memory related to personal information and traumatic events. Amnesia is the brain’s way of protecting itself from accessing memories that cause severe psychological pain. In rare cases, a person might experience a complete awareness of the loss of identity and life history. This is known as dissociative fugue.