UNDERSTANDING THE DISSOCIATIVE DISORDERS

Dissociative Amnesia
A defining characteristic of dissociative, amnesia is the inability to recall important personal information. This common dissociative disorder is regularly encountered in hospital emergency rooms and is usually caused by a single stressful event.

Dissociative Fugue
Like dissociative amnesia, dissociative, fugue also is characterized by sudden onset resulting from a single severe traumatic event. Unlike dissociative amnesia, however, dissociative fugue may involve the creation of a new, either partial or complete, identity to replace the personal details that are lost in response to the trauma.

Depersonalization/Derealization Disorder
The distinguishing characteristic of depersonalization disorder is the feeling that one is disconnected or unreal. Mind or body may be perceived as unattached, seen from a distance, existing in a dream, or mechanical.

Chronic depersonalization is commonly accompanied by "derealization," the feeling that features of the environment are illusory.

It should be noted that depersonalization as an isolated symptom may appear within the context of a wide variety of major psychiatric disorders like schizophrenia, borderline personality disorder, panic disorders and even depression.

Mild episodes of depersonalization have been reported following alcohol use, sensory deprivation, mild social or emotional stress or sleep deprivation, and as a side effect to medications. However, severe depersonalization is considered to be present only if the sense of detachment associated with the disorder is recurrent and predominant.

Dissociative Identity Disorder
Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) is the most chronic and severe manifestation of dissociation.

DID is believed to follow severe trauma including persistent psychological, physical, or sexual abuse. In this disorder, distinct, coherent identities exist within one individual and are able to assume control of the person's behavior and thought.

DID is often difficult to detect without the use of specialized interviews and/or tests, due to:
1) the hidden nature of the dissociative symptoms,
2) the coexistence of depression, anxiety, or substance abuse which may mask the dissociative symptoms.
3) it is not uncommon for a decade or more to pass before a correct assessment of DID is made.

Dissociative Disorder Not Otherwise Specified
Dissociative Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (DDNOS) is an inclusive category for classifying dissociative syndromes that do not meet the full criteria of any of the other dissociative disorders.

A person diagnosed with Dissociative Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (DDNOS) typically displays characteristics very similar to some of the previously discussed dissociative disorders, but not severe enough to receive their diagnoses.

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Our thanks to Petunia who found this information for us.