What is dissociative disorders?

My brother was a soldier but retired after suffering consistently from gradual loss of memory and even at times found it difficult to remember his name. We didn’t make connection with some of his professional life past experiences until when we took him abroad last month, and  an expert made the connection and diagnosed him […]

My brother was a soldier but retired after suffering consistently from gradual loss of memory and even at times found it difficult to remember his name. We didn’t make connection with some of his professional life past experiences until when we took him abroad last month, and  an expert made the connection and diagnosed him with having dissociative disorder as a result of some trauma he suffered in the past. Kindly provide highlights on this to your teeming readers in case someone out there has a similar problem.

Martin Q.

 

Thanks Martin for your question, “dissociative disorders according to experts are mental disorders that involve experiencing a disconnection and lack of continuity between thoughts, memories, surroundings, actions and identity. People with dissociative disorders escape reality in ways that are involuntary and unhealthy and cause problems with functioning in everyday life.Dissociative disorders usually develop as a reaction to trauma” Mayoclinic.

Treatment for dissociative disorders may include talk therapy (psychotherapy) and medication. 

Symptoms

Signs and symptoms depend on the type of dissociative disorders one has, but may include:

1. Memory loss (amnesia) of certain time periods, events, people and personal information.

2. A sense of being detached from yourself and your emotions.

3. A perception of the people and things around you as distorted and unreal.

4. A blurred sense of identity.

5. Significant stress or problems in your relationships, work or other important areas of your life.

6. Inability to cope well with emotional or professional stress.

7. Mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts and behaviors.

There are three major dissociative disorders defined by experts:

•Dissociative amnesia. The main symptom is memory loss that’s more severe than normal forgetfulness and that can’t be explained by a medical condition. You can’t recall information about yourself or events and people in your life, especially from a traumatic time. 

•Dissociative identity disorder. Formerly known as multiple personality disorder, this disorder is characterized by “switching” to alternate identities. You may feel the presence of two or more people talking or living inside your head, and you may feel as though you’re possessed by other identities.  

•Depersonalization-derealization disorder. This involves an ongoing or episodic sense of detachment or being outside yourself observing your actions, feelings, thoughts and self from a distance as though watching a movie (depersonalization). Other people and things around you may feel detached and foggy or dreamlike, time may be slowed down or sped up, and the world may seem unreal (derealization). 

Example of causes:

• Dissociative disorders usually develop as a way to cope with trauma. The disorders most often form in children subjected to long-term physical, sexual or emotional abuse or, less often, a home environment that’s frightening or highly unpredictable. The stress of war or natural disasters also can bring on dissociative disorders.

•Personal identity is still forming during childhood. So a child is more able than an adult to step outside of himself or herself and observe trauma as though it’s happening to a different person. A child who learns to dissociate in order to endure a traumatic experience may use this coping mechanism in response to stressful situations throughout life.

Risk factors

• People who experience long-term physical, sexual or emotional abuse during childhood are at greatest risk of developing dissociative disorders.

• Children and adults who experience other traumatic events, such as war, natural disasters, kidnapping, torture, or extended, traumatic, early-life medical procedures, also may develop these conditions.

Examples of complications

• People with dissociative disorders are at increased risk of complications and associated disorders, such as:

• Self-harm or mutilation and Suicidal thoughts and behavior

• Sexual dysfunction and Alcoholism and drug use disorders

• Depression and anxiety disorders

• Post-traumatic stress disorder and Personality disorders

• Sleep disorders, including nightmares, insomnia and sleepwalking

• Eating disorders and Physical symptoms such as lightheadedness or non-epileptic seizures

•Major difficulties in personal relationships and at work

Prevention

• Children who are physically, emotionally or sexually abused are at increased risk of developing mental health disorders, such as dissociative disorders. 

• Talk to a trusted person such as a friend, your doctor or a leader in your community.

• Ask for help locating resources such as parenting support groups and family therapists.

• Look for community education programs that offer parenting classes that also may help you learn a healthier parenting style.