What Are Dissociative Disorders?

Dissociative disorders are mental health conditions involving disruptions in a person's sense of identity, memory, perception, or connection to themselves and their surroundings. Dissociation can sometimes develop as a way of coping with overwhelming or traumatic experiences.

Common types of dissociative disorders include:

• Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)

• Dissociative Amnesia

• Depersonalization/Derealization Disorder

Signs and symptoms of dissociation

Depending on the person and the specific disorder, symptoms may include:

• Feeling disconnected from yourself or your body

• Feeling as though the world around you isn't real

• Significant gaps in memory

• Feeling emotionally numb or detached

• Losing track of time

• Feeling like you are watching yourself from outside your body

• Uncertainty about your identity or sense of self

• Difficulty remembering important personal experiences

Dissociation and trauma

D

issociation can occur in response to trauma, but experiencing occasional dissociation does not automatically mean someone has a dissociative disorder.

This distinction is important because people sometimes search online after experiencing something like "spacing out," emotional numbness, or feeling detached and assume they have DID.

How are dissociative disorders treated?

Treatment depends on the individual's symptoms, history, and diagnosis. Psychotherapy may focus on safety, stabilization, understanding dissociative symptoms, processing trauma when appropriate, and developing healthier ways to manage overwhelming emotions.

Because dissociation can sometimes become more intense during trauma processing, treatment should be individualized and paced appropriately.

When should someone seek help?

Consider talking with a qualified mental-health professional if dissociation is interfering with relationships, work, school, daily functioning, memory, or your sense of safety