Dissociative Disorders

Disorders in which conscious awareness becomes separated (dissociated) from previous memories, thoughts and feelings.

Dissociative Amnesia This disorder is characterized by a blocking out of critical personal information, usually of a traumatic or stressful nature.

Dissociative Amnesia Dissociative amnesia, unlike other types of amnesia, does NOT result from other medical trauma (e.g. a blow to the head).

Dissociative Amnesia Localized amnesia is present in an individual who has no memory of specific events that took place, usually traumatic. The loss of memory is localized with a specific window of time. For example, a survivor of a car wreck who has no memory of the experience until two days later is experiencing localized amnesia. Selective amnesia happens when a person can recall only small parts of events that took place in a defined period of time. For example, an abuse victim may recall only some parts of the series of events around the abuse. Generalized amnesia is diagnosed when a person's amnesia encompasses his or her entire life. Systematized amnesia is characterized by a loss of memory for a specific category of information. A person with this disorder might, for example, be missing all memories about one specific family member.

Dissociative Fugue An individual with dissociative fugue suddenly and unexpectedly takes physical leave of his or her surroundings and sets off on a journey of some kind. These journeys can last hours, or even several days or months.

Dissociative Fugue Individuals experiencing a dissociative fugue have traveled over thousands of miles. An individual in a fugue state is unaware of or confused about his identity, and in some cases will assume a new identity (although this is the exception).

Depersonalization Disorder is marked by a feeling of detachment or distance from one's own experience, body, or self. One can easily relate to feeling as they in a dream, or being "spaced out." A person's experience with depersonalization can be so severe that he or she believes the external world is unreal or distorted.

Dissociative Identity Disorder A rare dissociative disorder in which a person exhibits two or more distinct and alternating personalities. Also known as multiple personality disorder.

Dissociative Identity Disorder Formerly known as multiple personality disorder. DSM Checklist The presence of two or more distinct identities or personality states Control of the person’s behavior is taken by at least two of these identities or personality states. An inability to recall important personality information that is too extensive to be explained by ordinary forgetfulness

Dissociative Identity Disorder/ Multiple Personality Disorder Most cases are first diagnosed in late adolescence or early adulthood –Symptoms generally begin in childhood after episodes of abuse Typical onset is before the age of 5 Women receive the diagnosis three times as often as men

Dissociative Identity Disorder/ Multiple Personality Disorder How do subpersonalities interact? –Investigators used to believe that most cases of the disorder involved two or three subpersonalities Studies now suggest that the average number is much higher – 15 for women, 8 for men –There have been cases of more than 100!

DID Critics Critics argue that diagnosis of DID has increased in the late 20 th century. Also DID has not been found in other countries. Critics Arguments 1.Role-playing by people open to therapist’s suggestion. (iatrogenic) 2.Learned response that reinforces reductions in anxiety.