Dissociative disorder is a mental health condition that affects how you think, feel, and behave. The burden it creates can be overwhelming and cause significant distress. However, though one may have similar symptoms, it doesn’t necessarily mean that they have this disorder.
If you fear you have a dissociative disorder, it is vital to seek help from a professional mental health provider. It is the best way to determine if you have the condition and to start effectively treating it. However, if you want to better understand this disorder’s symptoms, causes, and treatment options, continue reading.
Symptoms/How to Recognize
Before we get into the symptoms and how to recognize them, we must understand that everyone experiences moments of dissociation. The symptoms are common, but they become a problem when they start to interfere with your daily life and relationships.
For example, feeling detached from your surroundings for a moment or like your mind has gone blank during a stressful situation is normal. Still, if this happens frequently or becomes debilitating, it may signify a dissociative disorder.
If you have difficulty recalling important information or feel numb and disconnected from the world around you, it may be time to consult a professional.
Common symptoms of a dissociative disorder include:
- Severe anxiety or depression
- Suicidal thoughts
- Difficulty concentrating or focusing on tasks
- Feeling detached from your body or physical movements
- Experiencing episodes of confusion, disorientation, and memory loss
- Feeling unreal or disconnected from your surroundings
- Having out-of-body experiences or feeling as if you are observing yourself from outside your body
- Seeing things that other people don’t and hearing voices
- Unexplained physical symptoms such as headaches, chest pain, or stomach aches
Triggers/Causes
The exact causes of dissociative disorder are not entirely known. However, it’s safe to say that the effects combine biological and psychological factors. It is thought that stressful or traumatic events such as physical, emotional, or sexual abuse may be triggers for dissociative disorder.
Other factors can include experiencing a significant loss or a stressful situation, such as war or natural disaster. Children who have endured abuse and neglect may be at a higher risk of developing the disorder.
Veterans are also at an increased risk due to their exposure to trauma during combat.
Then there are those who have experienced major accidents or medical procedures and may feel disconnected from their bodies in certain situations.
Likewise, those who have experienced major natural disasters or other traumatic events are at an increased risk.
What everyone has in common is that they have gone through some form of trauma or stress in the past. It creates an involuntary dissociation from reality and can lead to the development of dissociative disorder. Experts believe it is the brain’s coping mechanism to try and protect itself.
Dissociative Disorder as a Secondary Diagnosis
Dissociative disorder is a secondary diagnosis, meaning it is not the primary issue. That implies that dissociation symptoms result from another condition, such as anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It is essential to treat the primary issue first. You won’t likely achieve relief unless the root cause is understood and treated.
For example, if you have PTSD and start to experience disassociation, your doctor may prescribe medications and therapy to help treat the PTSD. Once you progress in coping with PTSD, they can focus more on treating the dissociative disorder.
Also, according to the DSM-5, some of the main symptoms of dissociative disorder (severe anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, or difficulty concentrating or focusing on tasks) are the same as those found in individuals who have PTSD, major depressive disorder, and bipolar disorder. Therefore, alieving those symptoms are progressive with all disorders.
Treatment Options
Treatment for dissociative disorder typically involves a combination of psychotherapy and medications.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps patients manage their symptoms and better understand how their condition impacts them. That type of therapy focuses on identifying thought habits and behaviors contributing to their symptoms and helping them learn new strategies for managing them.
Eye Movement Desensitization Therapy (EMDR) is often used to help patients process traumatic memories and cope with the associated emotions.
Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) is another therapy that treats dissociative disorder. DBT focuses on helping patients learn new skills for managing their emotions and worrying less about the future. In addition, it helps patients become more mindful of their thoughts and behaviors so they can learn to cope with stress in healthier ways.
Medications may help reduce anxiety, depression, and other symptoms associated with dissociative disorder. Anti-anxiety medications, antidepressants, and mood stabilizers are the most commonly prescribed medications for this disorder.
It is important to note that medication alone is insufficient and must be used in conjunction with psychotherapy to manage symptoms effectively.
Furthermore, several lifestyle changes can improve symptoms. These include regular exercise, engaging in enjoyable activities, maintaining a healthy diet, and getting enough sleep. It is also important to seek out family and friends’ support and find ways to reduce stress.
Seeking Treatment
The best way to know if you have dissociative disorder is to seek professional help. While some symptoms of dissociation are typical, if they start to interfere with your daily life, you should seek treatment. At Alvarado Parkway Institute, we understand the impact of dissociative disorder on one’s life and are committed to providing the best quality of care.
We offer a comprehensive range of treatment options, medication management, individual and group therapy, and alternative therapies such as yoga, mindfulness, and art therapy. Our goal is to help our clients learn coping skills that will enable them to manage their dissociative disorder.
Our clinicians specialize in treating this disorder and will work with you to develop an individualized treatment plan that best suits your needs. We provide education and resources to help our clients understand the disorder, their triggers, and how to manage it effectively.
Don’t hesitate to contact our team today to learn more about our services and how we can help you or your loved one manage dissociative disorder.
