Dissociative Disorders
Dissociative Disorders
What are dissociative disorders?
A dissociative disorder is the breakdown of one's perception of his/her surroundings, memory, identity, or consciousness.
There are four main kinds of dissociative disorders:
1. Dissociative amnesia
2. Dissociative fugue
3. Dissociative identity disorder (previously called multiple personality disorder)
4. Depersonalization disorder
What are the main characteristics of each dissociative disorder?
Dissociative amnesia:
A dissociative amnesia may be present when a person is unable to remember important personal information, which is usually associated with a traumatic event in his/her life. The loss of memory creates gaps in this individual's personal history.
Dissociative fugue:
A dissociative fugue may be present when a person impulsively wanders or travels away from home and upon arrival in the new location is unable to remember his/her past. The individual's personal identity is lost because that person is confused about who he/she is. The travel from home generally occurs following a stressful event. The person in the fugue appears to be functioning normally to other people. However, after the fugue experience, the individual may not be able to recall what happened during the fugue state. The condition is usually diagnosed when relatives find their lost family member living in another community with a new identity.
Dissociative identity disorder:
Dissociative identity disorder was formerly called "multiple personality disorder." When a person intermittently experiences two or more identities, he/she may have a dissociative identity disorder. While experiencing a new identity, a separate personality takes control, and the person is unable to remember important and personal information about himself/herself. Each personality has its own personal history and...
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