What is dissociative disorder?
Dissociative disorders are understood as mental illnesses that involve a disconnection between thoughts, memories, environments, actions and identity. Patients with this pathology escape from reality in an involuntary and dangerous way, making it difficult for them to go about their daily activities normally.
Three different types of dissociative disorders are recognized:
- Dissociative amnesia: the main symptom is memory loss in a severe sense and not caused by a specific disease. Patients with this type of amnesia do not remember events about themselves, people close to them or periods of time related to a traumatic moment. It is a state that appears suddenly and can last minutes, hours, and even months or years.
- Dissociative identity disorder: initially known as multiple personality disorder, since the patient feels the presence of two or more persons who speak or live in his head and possess it. These people usually also suffer from dissociative amnesia.
- Depersonalization-derealization disorder: involves feeling disconnected with oneself, observing one’s actions, feelings and thoughts from a distance, as if they were in a movie. It is also possible that some people or things may be perceived in the distance or blurred, time may pass slowly or quickly and the world in general seems unreal. Symptoms may last only a few moments or come and go over the years.
Prognosis of the disease
Dissociative disorders are mental pathologies that can sometimes endanger the patient’s own physical integrity. Each person can develop the disorder in different ways, since depending on the cause it can manifest itself with very varied symptoms. The specialist in Psychology or Psychiatry will evaluate the condition and proceed to the most effective treatment, although it is possible that the disorder may reappear after some time.
Symptoms of dissociative disorder
Symptoms may vary according to the type of disorder the patient suffers from, although the most common are:
- Loss of memory of certain time periods, events, people and personal information.
- Feeling of separation with oneself and one’s own emotions.
- Perception of distortion of people and things in the environment.
- Confusion of identity
- Stress and problems in personal relationships and in the work environment.
- Inability to cope with situations of emotional or professional stress.
- Mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts and behaviors.
Medical tests for dissociative disorder
To diagnose dissociative disorder, the specialist first evaluates what the symptoms are and rules out any condition that may be causing them. A physical examination is also performed, where personal history is analyzed and it is verified that the patient does not also suffer from a physical disorder such as head injuries or brain diseases.
Another test carried out is a psychiatric examination, where the specialist asks the patient about his or her mental health and, if necessary, will also ask the patient’s relatives.
The symptoms can be very varied, so it is important that the expert analyzes each of them to understand what may be the causes of the disorder and what treatment will be the most effective for the patient.
Amnesia and identity disorder are some of the types of dissociative disorder.
What are the causes of dissociative disorder?
The main cause of dissociative disorder may be a reaction to trauma. In most cases it usually occurs in children who have been subjected to emotional or physical abuse and sexual abuse over a long period of time, including living in a frightening home environment. On the other hand, the stress of a war or a natural disaster can also lead to dissociative disorders.
Can it be prevented?
It is not possible to prevent these disorders, since it is a pathology that appears as a result of a trauma or simply suddenly, without knowing the exact cause. The main risk factors are mistreatment, sexual abuse, having lived through a war, natural disasters, torture, etcetera. In other words, traumatic periods.
Treatments for dissociative disorder
Psychotherapy is the main treatment for dissociative disorders. It is carried out through conversation, talking about the patient’s problems and the disorder. It will always be the specialist in Psychology or Psychiatry who will decide which is the most effective method to treat the patient.
Medications for dissociative disorder
There is no specific type of drug to treat a dissociative disorder, although it is possible that the specialist may consider that he/she can help the patient with antidepressants or other types of medication. It will always be under your consideration and prescription.
Which specialist treats it?
It is the specialists in Psychology or Psychiatry who treat dissociative disorders, since they are mental pathologies.