Dissociative disorders can have impacts on an individual’s ability to take care of their daily needs, work, or provide care for their loved ones. This type of mental health disorder often occurs after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. Fortunately, they are treatable using comprehensive and evidence-based therapeutic modalities.
What Are Dissociative Disorders?
Dissociative disorders are a type of mental health disorder where individuals feel detached from reality. They can experience feelings of detachment, where they do not feel like they are themselves. They can have out-of-body experiences where they no longer feel in control. Some people also develop amnesia, have memory problems, or have periods they cannot recall.
Types of Dissociative Disorders
There are three different types of dissociative disorders that can occur by themselves or co-occur with other mental health disorders, which include:
- DID (dissociative identity disorder): People with this type of dissociative disorder have at least two, possibly more, different identities called alters. Each alter has its own likes, dislikes, history, and unique traits. They switch between these identities at various times, and each one controls their behaviors.
- Dissociative amnesia: This type of amnesia occurs when someone cannot remember specific details about their life. It is usually triggered as a trauma response. Their amnesia could be tied to a particular event, like their trauma. It could also be tied to a specific time period or could include larger periods of their lifetime.
- Depersonalization/derealization disorder: This type of dissociative disorder is where the individual can feel detached from their body, thoughts, or feelings. They can also experience periods of disconnect from their environment, where they appear zoned out and inattentive to what is happening around them.
How Common Are Dissociative Disorders?
Only 2% of people will experience chronic dissociative disorders. However, around 75% of people experience at least one depersonalization/derealization episode in their lifetimes. Women are also more likely to be diagnosed with dissociative disorders than men.
Symptoms and Causes
The symptoms one experiences depend on the type of dissociative disorder they have. Symptoms will also vary from person to person, depending on the severity of their condition. The causes of dissociative disorders are usually related to a traumatic experience.
What Are the Symptoms of Dissociative Disorders?
Some of the common symptoms associated with dissociative disorders include:
- Gaps in memory
- Blackouts
- Significant memory loss
- Out-of-body experiences
- Feeling detached from one’s emotions
- Feeling not in control of one’s behaviors and actions
- No sense of identity
- Thinking things around the person are not real
- Having two or more “voices,” each trying to take control
- Having another co-occurring mental health disorder
- Experiencing dissociative fugue where the person does not know how they got someplace
Since dissociative disorders usually occur as a response to trauma, it is normal for some people to have co-occurring mental health disorders also related to traumatic experiences, including:
- Borderline personality disorder
- Anxiety disorders
- Depressive disorders
- PTDS
- Substance use disorders
What Causes Dissociative Disorders
The primary cause of dissociative disorders is being exposed to or witnessing a traumatic event. The trauma could occur once or involve repeated exposure over a period of time. Traumatic events could involve:
- Natural disasters
- A catastrophic accident
- Sexual abuse
- Mental abuse
- Physical abuse
- Repeated or ongoing sexual, mental, or physical abuse
Some people develop dissociative disorders when they are abused or neglected in childhood. Another cause of dissociative disorders is when another mental health disorder goes untreated. As the condition worsens, it can trigger dissociative symptoms and eventually lead to one of the types of dissociative disorders.
How Are Dissociative Disorders Diagnosed?
Dissociative disorders are diagnosed by healthcare providers using various methods, including:
- Reviewing your symptoms
- Ordering tests to rule out other conditions
- Inquiring about recent injuries
- Inquiring about your sleep patterns
- Inquiring about unresolved traumatic events
- Inquiring about any other mental health conditions you may have
- Reviewing your substance and alcohol use
- Reviewing any prescriptions you are taking for potential side effects
- Conducting a thorough clinical interview
- Making clinical observations
How Are Dissociative Disorders Treated?
Dissociative disorders are treated using evidence-based and holistic therapeutic modalities as part of a comprehensive and personalized treatment plan, such as:
- Individual psychotherapy (talk therapy): Individual therapy allows people to share and discuss their personal, emotional, and mental issues in a one-on-one, safe, and secure setting.
- CBT: CBT helps people become more aware of their negative thoughts, emotions, and behaviors and develop effective coping techniques.
- DBT: DBT incorporates CBT and helps people change their unhealthy behaviors, improve social interactions, and learn additional coping skills.
- EMDR therapy: EMDR is a type of therapy that helps people process unresolved traumatic memories and replace them with positive feelings and emotions.
- Trauma therapy: Trauma therapy is a targeted type of therapy that helps people address unresolved traumatic experiences.
- Group therapy: Group therapy provides a safe space for people with dissociative disorders to learn from one another, learn more about their condition, and practice coping skills.
- Family therapy: Family therapy helps educate family members about dissociative disorders, helps them learn how to support their loved one, improves communications, and addresses any family issues.
- Holistic therapy: Holistic therapies focus on healing the mind, body, and spirit and can include yoga, meditation, relaxation techniques, mindfulness, music therapy, and art therapy.
Contact Montare Behavioral Health to Treat Dissociative Disorders
If you or someone you love is experiencing symptoms of dissociative disorders, help is available at Montare Behavioral Health. Our treatment facilities in California and Arizona offer different levels of care and comprehensive treatment plans tailored to your specific needs. Our caring and compassionate team is here to help you regain control over your life and overcome dissociative disorder. Contact us today to start the path to a brighter future and improved mental health and well-being.
Published: 3/20/2025
