Have you ever sat down and found yourself becoming detached from yourself, your mind, or your surroundings? This is called dissociation. Many people experience it from time to time, but there are some individuals who feel it constantly. When this happens chronically, it could be linked to a dissociative disorder.
It can be frightening to feel disconnected from yourself, your experiences, and your identity. Some of the key types of dissociative disorders include dissociative identity disorder (DID), depersonalization disorder, derealization disorder, and dissociative amnesia disorder. Here, we’ll discuss more about these different disorders and their common symptoms.
What is a Dissociative Disorder?
Dissociation happens when a person has trouble connecting with their own body and senses. Sensory experiences can be difficult to comprehend for someone with a dissociative disorder. Research has shown that many of these disorders are often connected with past trauma.
It can be a protective response that the body naturally creates after going through a distressing experience. Separating the person from their body during a traumatic event is a neurological response that is triggered in an attempt to help lessen its negative impacts. However, even some time after the event has concluded, the dissociation can carry on.
It is often the case that people with dissociative disorders require treatment to help them live their best life.
Dissociative Identity Disorder
Previously known as multiple personality disorder, dissociative identity disorder (DID) is a rare diagnosis. Those who have DID often have two or more personalities or identities that are separate to and can’t be controlled by the person who is experiencing them. People who experience DID may also find they have large gaps in memory they can’t account for.
They may find it difficult to remember anything from traumatic past events or what they ate for breakfast. A person with DID may also suddenly change their behavior or have issues functioning in work, school, or in social settings. If you think you’ve been experiencing symptoms of DID, it’s crucial to see a professional for a diagnosis and create a plan for treatment.
Depersonalization Disorder
Depersonalization disorder can feel like a person is watching themself in a movie. They may feel completely disconnected from their bodies, leading to feelings of separation or dissociation from the present. They may also feel like they aren’t real.
This can cause identity issues, and a person with depersonalization disorder can often have muted emotions. This disorder often happens in conjunction with other mental health issues like depression. Depersonalization disorder is another type of dissociative disorder that’s commonly connected with trauma, abuse, or high levels of stress.
Derealization Disorder
Similar to depersonalization disorder, this disorder leads people to feel disconnected to themselves and the reality of the world. It may feel like what’s happening around the person isn’t really happening. Someone with derealization disorder will feel detached from their personal experiences.
This disorder isn’t common, as it affects just one percent of the general population. To receive a diagnosis, a patient must see a psychiatrist to undergo treatment.
Dissociative Amnesia Disorder
Dissociative amnesia disorder is one of the most common dissociative disorders. Someone with this condition may not be able to recall vital details from their own lives. Often, the information that people can’t recall is from a traumatic event in the past.
At times, people with dissociative amnesia may not be able to remember because of heavy substance misuse. In many instances, amnesia is specific to a certain period of the person’s life. However, bouts of amnesia can occur suddenly, which can have a detrimental effect on the person’s livelihood.
These episodes can affect their relationships, their work, and much more. Amnesia may last anywhere from weeks to years. Some people with this condition may find themselves far away from their home due to forgetting where they live.
Anyone experiencing these types of symptoms should report them to a health professional immediately to avoid potential dangers to themselves.
Unspecified Dissociative Disorder
There are some people who experience some of the symptoms of a dissociative disorder but do not meet all of the criteria to be diagnosed with a specific disorder. In this instance, the patient may have an unspecified dissociative disorder.
For instance, if someone with dissociative amnesia disorder ended up in a hospital, the doctors may conclude that they have a dissociative disorder, but there may not be enough information for a full diagnosis. For some people, this can be the start of their journey to finding out more about dissociative disorders.
At this point, it’s vital to meet with a psychiatrist or trained mental health professional to talk about what has happened. The sooner a specific diagnosis is given, the sooner treatment can be administered.
How to Get Help With a Dissociative Disorder
If you suspect that you or a loved one has a dissociative disorder, the first thing you should do is seek help from a mental health professional. Discussing your symptoms and experiences could help you receive a definitive diagnosis and start on the road to treatment. Seeing a professional can also assist you in recognizing signs and triggers for your condition that enable you to manage and better understand it.
Focused therapy groups are available for those who have been diagnosed with a dissociative disorder. This often focuses on identifying possible traumatic events in a patient’s life while equipping them with tools to cope and move forward with a healthy life in the future.
Most importantly, you must remember that receiving a dissociative disorder diagnosis doesn’t mean life is over. There is help and support available to ensure patients feel confident with living a safe and healthy life.
If you identify with any of the above symptoms, or if you have been diagnosed with a dissociative disorder, we can help at Alvarado Parkway Institute. We offer inpatient programs, and outpatient programs, with treatments that can help with a variety of dissociative disorders. We provide a comprehensive service to all our patients while supporting them every step of the way. Contact us today at 619-333-7050 for more information.
