Mental Health & Disorders
Overview
Dissociative disorders are mental
disorders that involve experiencing a disconnection and
lack of continuity between thoughts, memories,
surroundings, actions and identity. People with
dissociative disorders escape reality in ways that are
involuntary and unhealthy and cause problems with
functioning in everyday life.
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.
Symptoms
Signs and symptoms depend on the type of dissociative
disorders you have, but may include:
-
Memory loss (amnesia) of certain time periods,
events, people and personal information
-
A sense of being detached from yourself and your
emotions
-
A perception of the people and things around you as
distorted and unreal
-
A blurred sense of identity
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Significant stress or problems in your
relationships, work or other important areas of your
life
-
Inability to cope well with emotional or
professional stress
-
Mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety,
and suicidal thoughts and behaviors
There are three major dissociative disorders defined in
the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental
Disorders (DSM-5), published by the American Psychiatric
Association:
-
Dissociative amnesia.
The main symptom is memory loss that’s more severe
than normal forgetfulness and that can’t be
explained by a medical condition. You can’t recall
information about yourself or events and people in
your life, especially from a traumatic time.
Dissociative amnesia can be specific to events in a
certain time, such as intense combat, or more
rarely, can involve complete loss of memory about
yourself. It may sometimes involve travel or
confused wandering away from your life (dissociative
fugue). An episode of amnesia usually occurs
suddenly and may last minutes, hours, or rarely,
months or years.
-
Dissociative identity disorder.
Formerly known as multiple personality disorder,
this disorder is characterized by “switching” to
alternate identities. You may feel the presence of
two or more people talking or living inside your
head, and you may feel as though you’re possessed by
other identities. Each identity may have a unique
name, personal history and characteristics,
including obvious differences in voice, gender,
mannerisms and even such physical qualities as the
need for eyeglasses. There also are differences in
how familiar each identity is with the others.
People with dissociative identity disorder typically
also have dissociative amnesia and often have
dissociative fugue.
-
Depersonalization-derealization disorder.
This involves an ongoing or episodic sense of
detachment or being outside yourself — observing
your actions, feelings, thoughts and self from a
distance as though watching a movie
(depersonalization). Other people and things around
you may feel detached and foggy or dreamlike, time
may be slowed down or sped up, and the world may
seem unreal (de-realization).
-
You may experience depersonalization, de-realization
or both. Symptoms, which can be profoundly
distressing, may last only a few moments or come and
go over many years.
When to see a doctor?
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.
Suicidal thoughts or behavior
If you have thoughts of hurting yourself or someone
else, call 911 or your local emergency number
immediately, go to an emergency room, or confide in a
trusted relative or friend. Or call a suicide hotline
number in your area, call your local National Suicide
Prevention Lifeline or seek out the urgent help of a
trained counselor.
Causes
Dissociative disorders usually develop as a way to cope
with trauma. The disorders most often form in children
subjected to long-term physical, sexual or emotional
abuse or, less often, a home environment that’s
frightening or highly unpredictable. The stress of war
or natural disasters also can bring on dissociative
disorders.
Personal identity is still forming during childhood. So
a child is more able than an adult to step outside of
himself or herself and observe trauma as though it’s
happening to a different person. A child who learns to
dissociate in order to endure a traumatic experience may
use this coping mechanism in response to stressful
situations throughout life.
Risk factors
People who experience long-term physical, sexual or
emotional abuse during childhood are at greatest risk of
developing dissociative disorders.
Children and adults who experience other traumatic
events, such as war, natural disasters, kidnapping,
torture, or extended, traumatic, early-life medical
procedures, also may develop these conditions.
Complications
People with dissociative disorders are at increased risk
of complications and associated disorders, such as:
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Self-harm or self-mutilation
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Suicidal thoughts and behavior
-
Sexual dysfunction
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Alcoholism and drug use disorders
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Depression and anxiety disorders
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Post-traumatic stress disorder
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Personality disorders
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Sleep disorders, including nightmares, insomnia and
sleepwalking
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Eating disorders
-
Physical symptoms such as lightheadedness or
non-epileptic seizures
-
Major difficulties in personal relationships and at
work
Prevention
Children who are physically, emotionally or sexually
abused are at increased risk of developing mental health
disorders, such as dissociative disorders. If stress or
other personal issues are affecting the way you treat
your child, seek help.
-
Talk to a trusted person such as a friend, your
doctor or a leader in your faith community.
-
Ask for help locating resources such as parenting
support groups and family therapists.
-
Look for churches and community education programs
that offer parenting classes that also may help you
learn a healthier parenting style.
If your child has been abused or has experienced another
traumatic event, see a doctor immediately. Your doctor
can refer you to a mental health professional who can
help your child recover and adopt healthy coping skills.
Mental Health
Hellemai Bio:
Hellemai Christensen Danish born, English Speaking with a high degree of comprehension and empathy. My simple mission is to "Help People in need". In these depressing times many people are suffering with everyday problems that may continue to poor mental health now or in the future. Some people may not even be aware of it. So it may take friends and family to help by speaking out and suggesting a therapist session as a "discovery session", in a friendly relaxed atmosphere. |