How many dissociative disorders are there

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The State of Victoria and the Department of Health shall not bear any liability for reliance by any user on the materials contained on this website. Skip to main content. Mental illness. Home Mental illness. Dissociation and dissociative disorders. Actions for this page Listen Print. Summary Read the full fact sheet. On this page. Symptoms A range of dissociative disorders Dissociative amnesia Dissociative fugue Depersonalisation disorder Dissociative identity disorder Causes Complications Diagnosis Treatment Where to get help Things to remember.

A range of dissociative disorders Mental health professionals recognise four main types of dissociative disorder, including: Dissociative amnesia Dissociative fugue Depersonalisation disorder Dissociative identity disorder. The four categories of dissociative amnesia include: Localised amnesia — for a time, the person has no memory of the traumatic event at all. For example, following an assault, a person with localised amnesia may not recall any details for a few days. Selective amnesia — the person has patchy or incomplete memories of the traumatic event.

Generalised amnesia — the person has trouble remembering the details of their entire life. Systematised amnesia — the person may have a very particular and specific memory loss; for example, they may have no recollection of one relative.

Dissociative fugue Dissociative fugue is also known as psychogenic fugue. Dissociative identity disorder Dissociative identity disorder DID is the most controversial of the dissociative disorders and is disputed and debated among mental health professionals. Causes Most mental health professionals believe that the underlying cause of dissociative disorders is chronic trauma in childhood.

Complications Without treatment, possible complications for a person with a dissociative disorder may include: Life difficulties such as broken relationships and job loss Sleep problems such as insomnia Sexual problems Severe depression Anxiety disorders Eating disorders such as anorexia or bulimia Problematic drug use including alcoholism Self-harm, including suicide. Diagnosis If you are concerned that you or a loved one may have a dissociative disorder, it is important to seek professional help.

Listening is the best way to help. Try to avoid offering solutions and try not to judge. If they have previously been diagnosed with a mental health condition, such as depression, you can speak to a member of their care team for help and advice. If you have a dissociative disorder, getting help and support is an important part of the recovery process. Talking to your partner, family and friends about how your past experiences have affected you can help you come to terms with what happened, as well as helping them understand how you feel.

Mental health charity Mind has more information on dissociative disorders and a list of support organisations. You can read people's personal accounts of living with a number of different mental health conditions on healthtalk.

Page last reviewed: 10 August Next review due: 10 August Home Mental health Mental health conditions Back to Mental health conditions. Dissociative disorders. Symptoms of a dissociative disorder Symptoms of dissociative disorder can vary but may include: feeling disconnected from yourself and the world around you forgetting about certain time periods, events and personal information feeling uncertain about who you are having multiple distinct identities feeling little or no physical pain Dissociation is a way the mind copes with too much stress.

They may dissociate and avoid dealing with it as a way of coping with it. Types of dissociative disorder There are several different types of dissociative disorder.

The 3 main types are: depersonalisation-derealisation disorder dissociative amnesia dissociative identity disorder Depersonalisation-derealisation disorder Depersonalisation is where you have the feeling of being outside yourself and observing your actions, feelings or thoughts from a distance. Dissociative amnesia Someone with dissociative amnesia will have periods where they cannot remember information about themselves or events in their past life.

They may also forget a learned talent or skill. Dissociative identity disorder Dissociative identity disorder DID used to be called multiple personality disorder. The symptoms of dissociative disorders depend on the type of disorder that has been diagnosed. Dissociative disorders usually develop as a way of dealing with trauma. Dissociative disorders most often form in children exposed to long-term physical, sexual or emotional abuse. Natural disasters and combat can also cause dissociative disorders.

Doctors diagnose dissociative disorders based on a review of symptoms and personal history. A doctor may perform tests to rule out physical conditions that can cause symptoms such as memory loss and a sense of unreality for example, head injury, brain lesions or tumors, sleep deprivation or intoxication. If physical causes are ruled out, a mental health specialist is often consulted to make an evaluation.

In the case of dissociative identity disorder and dissociative amnesia, patients may present with unexplained, non-epileptic seizures, paralyses or sensory loss. In settings where possession is part of cultural beliefs, the fragmented identities of a person who has DID may take the form of spirits, deities, demons or animals. Intercultural contact may also influence the characteristics of other identities. In cultures with highly restrictive social conditions, amnesia is frequently triggered by severe psychological stress such as conflict caused by oppression.

Finally, voluntarily induced states of depersonalization can be a part of meditative practices prevalent in many religions and cultures, and should not be diagnosed as a disorder. Because dissociative disorders appear on the trauma spectrum, many patients may have conditions associated with trauma, as well as additional trauma-based conditions.

Search Close Menu. Sign In About Mental Illness. About Mental Illness Treatments. Dissociative disorders usually develop as a reaction to trauma and help keep difficult memories at bay. Symptoms — ranging from amnesia to alternate identities — depend in part on the type of dissociative disorder you have. Times of stress can temporarily worsen symptoms, making them more obvious.

Treatment for dissociative disorders may include talk therapy psychotherapy and medication. Although treating dissociative disorders can be difficult, many people learn new ways of coping and lead healthy, productive lives. Some people with dissociative disorders present in a crisis with traumatic flashbacks that are overwhelming or associated with unsafe behavior.

People with these symptoms should be seen in an emergency room. If you or a loved one has less urgent symptoms that may indicate a dissociative disorder, call your doctor. If you have thoughts of hurting yourself or someone else, call or your local emergency number immediately, go to an emergency room, or confide in a trusted relative or friend. Dissociative disorders usually develop as a way to cope with trauma.