Dissociative Disorders

Dissociative disorders are mental health problems where a person feels disconnected from their thoughts, memories, feelings, surroundings, actions, and sense of self. It's like their mind separates parts of themselves, a way of escaping reality that isn't healthy or wanted. This makes it hard to manage daily life.

These problems often start after a person experiences something very upsetting, shocking, or painful. It's a way the brain tries to deal with difficult memories, but it's not a helpful or healthy coping mechanism. Different types of dissociative disorders can cause various symptoms. For example, some people might experience memory loss, while others might develop different personalities or identities. Stressful times can make these symptoms more noticeable.

Treating dissociative disorders usually involves talking to a therapist, often called psychotherapy. Sometimes, medication may also be helpful. While these disorders can be challenging to treat, many people learn ways to cope better, and their lives improve significantly. Getting professional help is a key step toward managing these issues and finding a path to recovery.

Dissociative disorders are mental health conditions where a person feels disconnected from themselves, their emotions, and the world around them. These feelings can range from mild to severe and impact daily life.

Symptoms of dissociative disorders:

People experiencing dissociative disorders may have a variety of symptoms. These can include:

• Feeling detached: You might feel separated from your own body, emotions, or thoughts. It's like watching yourself from a distance, as if you were in a movie.
• Distorted perceptions: The world around you might seem unreal or foggy, like a dream. People and objects might feel distant or unreal. Time might seem to speed up or slow down.
• Identity confusion: You might feel uncertain about who you are. Your sense of self might be unclear or unstable.
• Emotional and relationship problems: Dissociative disorders can lead to significant stress and difficulties in relationships, work, and other areas of life. You might struggle to cope with emotional or work-related stress.
• Memory loss (amnesia): Memory problems, more significant than everyday forgetfulness, can occur. You may have gaps in your memory of certain periods, events, or people, especially those connected to stressful or traumatic experiences. This loss can be about specific events or your entire identity. Sometimes, this memory loss involves traveling or wandering away from your usual life (dissociative fugue).

Types of Dissociative Disorders:

There are several types of dissociative disorders, each with slightly different symptoms:

• Depersonalization/derealization disorder: This involves feelings of detachment from yourself (depersonalization) and the world around you (derealization). These feelings can last for hours, days, weeks, or months, and may come and go over a long period.
• Dissociative amnesia: This is primarily characterized by memory loss that is more severe than usual forgetfulness. The memory loss isn't due to a physical medical condition. It can be related to specific events or involve a complete loss of memory about your identity, past experiences, and personal information. This loss is often related to stressful or traumatic events.
• Dissociative identity disorder (DID): This disorder, formerly called multiple personality disorder, involves having two or more distinct identities or personality states. These identities may have different names, memories, and ways of interacting with the world. There might be differences in their voices, behaviors, and even physical characteristics. People with DID often also experience amnesia and may wander off or experience confusion (dissociative fugue).

When to Seek Help:

If you are experiencing symptoms of a dissociative disorder, it's crucial to seek help from a healthcare professional. If symptoms are severe or include impulsive or dangerous behaviors, seek immediate help in an emergency department. If symptoms are less urgent, but you suspect a dissociative disorder, contact your doctor or a mental health professional. If you are having thoughts of harming yourself or others, call 911 or your local emergency number immediately.

Resources for Crisis Support:

In the U.S., you can get immediate crisis support by calling or texting 988, which connects you to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Spanish-speaking support is also available. Veterans can call 988 and press 1 or text 838255 for specialized support. All services are free and confidential. If you prefer to communicate via chat, you can visit 988lifeline.org/chat/ for the 988 Lifeline Chat or veteranscrisisline.net/get-help-now/chat/ for the Veterans Crisis Line Chat.

People with dissociative disorders sometimes act in ways that are dangerous or sudden. If this happens, you need immediate help from a hospital's emergency room.

If you or someone you know is experiencing less serious symptoms that might be related to a dissociative disorder, talk to your doctor or another healthcare professional. They can help.

If you're having thoughts of harming yourself or others, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. Or, go to the nearest emergency room.

Talking to a trusted friend or family member can be helpful. If you need immediate support, you can contact a suicide hotline:

• In the U.S.: Call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. This service is available 24/7 and is free and confidential. You can also chat with someone online at 988lifeline.org/chat/.
• Spanish-speaking support in the U.S.: The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline also has a Spanish-language phone line at 1-888-628-9454.

Dissociative disorders can cause unusual or difficult behaviors. If those behaviors are severe or dangerous, immediate medical attention is needed. If the symptoms are less urgent, a doctor can provide help. But, if you have thoughts of harming yourself or others, get immediate help. There are resources available to support you.

Dissociative disorders are conditions where people feel disconnected from themselves or their surroundings. They often develop as a coping mechanism for extremely difficult experiences. These experiences are usually very upsetting and overwhelming, such as long-term abuse (physical, sexual, or emotional) during childhood. Other situations, like living in a frightening or unpredictable home environment, can also contribute to the development of these disorders. Even stressful events like war or natural disasters can trigger them.

Imagine an event so upsetting that it feels too much to handle. Someone with a dissociative disorder might feel like they're observing themselves from outside their body, as if the event were happening to someone else. This mental distancing can be a temporary way to manage the intense emotions and pain associated with the traumatic experience.

Dissociative disorders are more likely to develop in people who experienced significant trauma during childhood. This trauma can include physical, sexual, or emotional abuse that lasted a long time.

Other upsetting or very painful experiences can also lead to these disorders. Examples include war, natural disasters, being kidnapped or tortured, extensive medical procedures as a child, or other extremely difficult events. These experiences can be very shocking and distressing.

People with dissociative disorders are more likely to experience other mental health problems. These additional issues can significantly impact their lives. For example, someone with a dissociative disorder might also develop:

• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): This involves strong reactions to past trauma. PTSD can cause flashbacks, nightmares, and intense anxiety.

• Sleep problems: Dissociative disorders can lead to difficulties sleeping. This might include nightmares, insomnia (trouble falling or staying asleep), or even sleepwalking.

• Physical symptoms: Some people with dissociative disorders experience unusual physical symptoms, like lightheadedness or seizures. These symptoms aren't caused by epilepsy.

• Eating disorders: A person with a dissociative disorder might also develop issues with eating, like anorexia or bulimia.

• Sexual problems: Dissociative disorders can impact a person's ability to enjoy healthy sexual relationships.

• Substance use problems: Turning to alcohol or drugs can be a coping mechanism for those struggling with a dissociative disorder, leading to dependence or addiction.

• Personality disorders: Sometimes, a dissociative disorder can be linked to other personality disorders, such as borderline personality disorder. These disorders can make managing daily life more challenging.

• Relationship problems: Dissociative disorders can create difficulties in personal relationships, both at home, at school, and at work. Trust issues and communication problems are common.

• Self-harm and risky behavior: Feeling overwhelmed and struggling to cope with their condition can lead individuals to self-harm or engage in other high-risk behaviors.

• Suicidal thoughts and actions: The combination of mental health challenges can increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and attempts. This is a serious concern, and help is crucial.

It's important to remember that these additional conditions aren't inevitable for everyone with a dissociative disorder. However, understanding the potential co-occurring issues is essential for effective treatment and support. If you or someone you know is experiencing these concerns, professional help is vital.

Kids who are hurt physically, emotionally, or sexually are more likely to have mental health problems later on, like problems with separating reality from fantasy (dissociative disorders). If you're struggling with stress or other personal issues that are affecting how you treat your child, please reach out for help.

It's important to talk to someone you trust, such as a friend, your doctor, or a religious leader. Don't hesitate to ask for help finding resources. Parenting support groups and family therapists can provide valuable guidance. Local churches, faith-based organizations, and community centers often offer parenting classes that can teach you healthier ways to parent.

If you or your child has been hurt or experienced a very upsetting or painful event, see a doctor right away. Your doctor can connect you with a mental health expert who can help you heal and learn healthy ways to cope with difficult feelings. You might also be able to contact mental health services directly. Don't suffer in silence; help is available.

Getting a diagnosis for mental health issues often starts with talking about your symptoms. Doctors need to figure out if something else, like a physical problem, might be causing your symptoms. This might involve a referral to a mental health expert.

To diagnose a mental health problem, a process might include:

• Physical check-up: Your doctor will examine you, ask about your symptoms, and review your medical history. This helps rule out physical illnesses that can mimic mental health symptoms. For example, a head injury, certain brain diseases, extreme sleep deprivation, or substance use can all cause problems like memory loss or feeling disconnected from reality. They'll do tests if needed to confirm or rule out these possibilities.

• Mental health evaluation: A mental health professional, like a therapist or psychiatrist, will talk with you about your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. This is an important part of getting a clear picture of what's happening. They may also talk to family members or others with your permission to get a more complete understanding of your situation.