Dissociative Disorders
Dissociative Disorders
Splitting apart of components (identity,
memory, perception) of a persons
personality that are usually integrated
Types of Dissociative Disorders
Dissociative Amnesia
Dissociative Fugue
Dissociative Identity Disorder
Depersonalization Disorder
Dissociative disorder not otherwise
specified
Dissociative Amnesia
Partial or total forgetting of past
experience without a biological cause
Memory loss is often selective
Relative indifference to loss of memory
Remain well oriented to time and place
Dissociative Fugue
Amnesia + sudden, unexpected trip
away from home
Often involves the creation of a new
identity
Fugue state usually ends abruptly –
then amnesic for events during the
fugue
Dissociative Identity Disorder
Sense of self, or personality breaks up
into two or more distinct identities
which take turns “controlling” behavior
At least one “personality” is amnesic
for the experiences of the others
Dissociative Identity Disorder
Identities are often polarized
Often each identity specializes in
different areas of functioning,
encapsulates different memories
Very high proportion report significant
trauma in childhood – possible
strategy that children use to distance
themselves from trauma
Controversy re. cause of DID
Faking - malingering
Induced by therapy – iatrogenic
Depersonalization Disorder
Disruption in identity without amnesia
Sense of strangeness or unreality in
oneself
Derealization
Reduced emotional responsiveness
