Dissociative Disorders
Dissociative disorders involve a disruption or discontinuity in the normal integration of consciousness, memory, identity, emotion, perception, or body representation. These are frequently associated with a history of significant psychological trauma.
| Disorder | Key Features |
|---|---|
| Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) | Presence of two or more distinct personality states (formerly Multiple Personality Disorder). Gaps in memory for daily events. |
| Dissociative Amnesia | Inability to recall important personal information (usually traumatic/stressful). May include dissociative fugue (purposeful travel associated with amnesia). |
| Depersonalization / Derealization | Persistent feelings of detachment from self (depersonalization) or surroundings (derealization). Reality testing remains intact. |
High-Yield Clinical Notes:
- Trauma Association: Always perform a comprehensive assessment for histories of physical, sexual, or emotional abuse when these symptoms are present.
- Treatment: Primarily psychotherapeutic. The goal is the integration of the dissociated components into a unified consciousness.
- Reality Testing: Crucial to differentiate dissociative disorders from psychotic disorders (like schizophrenia). Patients with dissociative disorders typically maintain reality testing, whereas those with psychosis do not.