What is mental dissociation
Dissociation and dissociative disorders - Better Health Channel
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Summary
Read the full fact sheet- Dissociation is a mental process of disconnecting from one’s thoughts, feelings, memories or sense of identity.
- The dissociative disorders that need professional treatment include dissociative amnesia, depersonalisation disorder and dissociative identity disorder.
- Most mental health professionals believe that the underlying cause of dissociative disorders is chronic trauma in childhood.
What is dissociation?
Dissociation is a mental process where a person disconnects from their thoughts, feelings, memories or sense of identity. Dissociative disorders include dissociative amnesia, depersonalisation disorder and dissociative identity disorder.
People who experience a traumatic event will often have some degree of dissociation during the event itself or in the following hours, days or weeks. For example, the event seems ‘unreal’ or the person feels detached from what’s going on around them as if watching the events on television. In most cases, the dissociation resolves without the need for treatment.
Some people, however, develop a dissociative disorder that requires treatment. Dissociative disorders are controversial and complex problems that need specific diagnosis, treatment and support. If you are concerned that you or a loved one may have a dissociative disorder, it is important to seek professional help.
Symptoms of dissociative disorders
Symptoms and signs of dissociative disorders depend on the type and severity, but may include:
- feeling disconnected from yourself
- problems with handling intense emotions
- sudden and unexpected shifts in mood – for example, feeling very sad for no reason
- depression or anxiety problems, or both
- feeling as though the world is distorted or not real (called ‘derealisation’)
- memory problems that aren’t linked to physical injury or medical conditions
- other cognitive (thought-related) problems such as concentration problems
- significant memory lapses such as forgetting important personal information
- feeling compelled to behave in a certain way
- identity confusion – for example, behaving in a way that the person would normally find offensive or abhorrent.
A range of dissociative disorders
There are three major dissociative disorders defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), published by the American Psychiatric Association, including:
- Dissociative amnesia
- Depersonalisation-derealisation disorder
- Dissociative identity disorder.
Dissociative amnesia
Dissociative amnesia is when a person can’t remember the details of a traumatic or stressful event, although they do realise they are experiencing memory loss. This is also known as psychogenic amnesia. This type of amnesia can last from a few days to one or more years. Dissociative amnesia may be linked to other disorders such as an anxiety disorder.
The four categories of dissociative amnesia include:
- Localised amnesia – for a time, the person has no memory of the traumatic event at all. For example, following an assault, a person with localised amnesia may not recall any details for a few days.
- Selective amnesia – the person has patchy or incomplete memories of the traumatic event.
- Generalised amnesia – the person has trouble remembering the details of their entire life.
- Systematised amnesia – the person may have a very particular and specific memory loss; for example, they may have no recollection of one relative.
Depersonalisation-derealisation disorder
Depersonalisation disorder is characterised by feeling detached from one’s life, thoughts and feelings. People with this type of disorder say they feel distant and emotionally unconnected to themselves, as if they are watching a character in a boring movie.
Other typical symptoms include problems with concentration and memory. The person may report feeling ‘spacey’ or out of control. Time may slow down. They may perceive their body to be a different shape or size than usual; in severe cases, they cannot recognise themselves in a mirror.
Dissociative identity disorder
Dissociative identity disorder (DID) is the most controversial of the dissociative disorders and is disputed and debated among mental health professionals. Previously called multiple personality disorder, this is the most severe kind of dissociative disorder.
The condition typically involves the coexistence of two or more personality states within the same person. While the different personality states influence the person’s behaviour, the person is usually not aware of these personality states and experiences them as memory lapses. The other states may have different body language, voice tone, outlook on life and memories. The person may switch to another personality state when under stress. A person who has dissociative identity disorder almost always has dissociative amnesia too.
Causes of dissociative disorders
Most mental health professionals believe that the underlying cause of dissociative disorders is chronic trauma in childhood.
Examples of trauma included repeated physical or sexual abuse, emotional abuse or neglect. Unpredictable or frightening family environments may also cause the child to ‘disconnect’ from reality during times of stress. It seems that the severity of the dissociative disorder in adulthood is directly related to the severity of the childhood trauma.
Traumatic events that occur during adulthood may also cause dissociative disorders. Such events may include war, torture or going through a natural disaster.
Complications
Without treatment, possible complications for a person with a dissociative disorder may include:
- life difficulties such as broken relationships and job loss
- sleep problems such as insomnia
- sexual problems
- severe depression
- anxiety disorders
- eating disorders such as anorexia or bulimia
- problematic drug use including alcoholism
- self-harm, including suicide.
Diagnosis
If you are concerned that you or a loved one may have a dissociative disorder, it is important to seek professional help.
Dissociative disorders always require professional diagnosis and care.
Diagnosis can be tricky because dissociative disorders are complex and their symptoms are common to a number of other conditions. For example:
- Physical causes (such as head trauma or brain tumours) can cause amnesia and other cognitive problems.
- Mental illnesses such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder may cause similar symptoms to a dissociative disorder.
- The effects of certain substances, including some recreational drugs and prescription medications, can mimic symptoms.
- Diagnosis may be further hampered when a dissociative disorder coexists with another mental health problem, such as depression.
Treatment
Treatment for dissociative disorders may vary based on the type of disorder you have and your individual needs, but generally include psychotherapy and medication. Treatment must occur in a safe and relaxed environment.
- Psychotherapy – also known as ‘talk therapy’ or counselling, which is usually needed for the long term. Examples include cognitive therapy and psychoanalysis.
- Medication – Although there are no medications that specifically treat dissociative disorders, your doctor may prescribe antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications or antipsychotic medications to help control the mental health symptoms associated with dissociative disorders.
Where to get help
- Your GP (doctor) – for referral to a specialist service
- Psychologist
- Psychiatrist
- DissociationExternal Link, Anxiety Disorder Association of Victoria.
- Dissociation and dissociative disordersExternal Link, Mental Health America.
- Frequently asked questions: dissociation and dissociative disordersExternal Link, International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation.
- Dissociative disordersExternal Link, Mayo Clinic US.
- All about dissociative disordersExternal Link, Kids Helpline.
- Dissociation and trauma in young peopleExternal Link, Orygen.
This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by:
Department of Health
This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by:
Department of Health
Give feedback about this page
Was this page helpful?
More information
Content disclaimer
Content on this website is provided for information purposes only. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not in any way endorse or support such therapy, service, product or treatment and is not intended to replace advice from your doctor or other registered health professional. The information and materials contained on this website are not intended to constitute a comprehensive guide concerning all aspects of the therapy, product or treatment described on the website.
All users are urged to always seek advice from a registered health care professional for diagnosis and answers to their medical questions and to ascertain whether the particular therapy, service, product or treatment described on the website is suitable in their circumstances. The State of Victoria and the Department of Health shall not bear any liability for reliance by any user on the materials contained on this website.
Reviewed on: 17-02-2023
Dissociation and dissociative disorders - Better Health Channel
Actions for this page
Summary
Read the full fact sheet- Dissociation is a mental process of disconnecting from one’s thoughts, feelings, memories or sense of identity.
- The dissociative disorders that need professional treatment include dissociative amnesia, depersonalisation disorder and dissociative identity disorder.
- Most mental health professionals believe that the underlying cause of dissociative disorders is chronic trauma in childhood.
What is dissociation?
Dissociation is a mental process where a person disconnects from their thoughts, feelings, memories or sense of identity. Dissociative disorders include dissociative amnesia, depersonalisation disorder and dissociative identity disorder.
People who experience a traumatic event will often have some degree of dissociation during the event itself or in the following hours, days or weeks. For example, the event seems ‘unreal’ or the person feels detached from what’s going on around them as if watching the events on television. In most cases, the dissociation resolves without the need for treatment.
Some people, however, develop a dissociative disorder that requires treatment. Dissociative disorders are controversial and complex problems that need specific diagnosis, treatment and support. If you are concerned that you or a loved one may have a dissociative disorder, it is important to seek professional help.
Symptoms of dissociative disorders
Symptoms and signs of dissociative disorders depend on the type and severity, but may include:
- feeling disconnected from yourself
- problems with handling intense emotions
- sudden and unexpected shifts in mood – for example, feeling very sad for no reason
- depression or anxiety problems, or both
- feeling as though the world is distorted or not real (called ‘derealisation’)
- memory problems that aren’t linked to physical injury or medical conditions
- other cognitive (thought-related) problems such as concentration problems
- significant memory lapses such as forgetting important personal information
- feeling compelled to behave in a certain way
- identity confusion – for example, behaving in a way that the person would normally find offensive or abhorrent.
A range of dissociative disorders
There are three major dissociative disorders defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), published by the American Psychiatric Association, including:
- Dissociative amnesia
- Depersonalisation-derealisation disorder
- Dissociative identity disorder.
Dissociative amnesia
Dissociative amnesia is when a person can’t remember the details of a traumatic or stressful event, although they do realise they are experiencing memory loss. This is also known as psychogenic amnesia. This type of amnesia can last from a few days to one or more years. Dissociative amnesia may be linked to other disorders such as an anxiety disorder.
The four categories of dissociative amnesia include:
- Localised amnesia – for a time, the person has no memory of the traumatic event at all. For example, following an assault, a person with localised amnesia may not recall any details for a few days.
- Selective amnesia – the person has patchy or incomplete memories of the traumatic event.
- Generalised amnesia – the person has trouble remembering the details of their entire life.
- Systematised amnesia – the person may have a very particular and specific memory loss; for example, they may have no recollection of one relative.
Depersonalisation-derealisation disorder
Depersonalisation disorder is characterised by feeling detached from one’s life, thoughts and feelings. People with this type of disorder say they feel distant and emotionally unconnected to themselves, as if they are watching a character in a boring movie.
Other typical symptoms include problems with concentration and memory. The person may report feeling ‘spacey’ or out of control. Time may slow down. They may perceive their body to be a different shape or size than usual; in severe cases, they cannot recognise themselves in a mirror.
Dissociative identity disorder
Dissociative identity disorder (DID) is the most controversial of the dissociative disorders and is disputed and debated among mental health professionals. Previously called multiple personality disorder, this is the most severe kind of dissociative disorder.
The condition typically involves the coexistence of two or more personality states within the same person. While the different personality states influence the person’s behaviour, the person is usually not aware of these personality states and experiences them as memory lapses. The other states may have different body language, voice tone, outlook on life and memories. The person may switch to another personality state when under stress. A person who has dissociative identity disorder almost always has dissociative amnesia too.
Causes of dissociative disorders
Most mental health professionals believe that the underlying cause of dissociative disorders is chronic trauma in childhood.
Examples of trauma included repeated physical or sexual abuse, emotional abuse or neglect. Unpredictable or frightening family environments may also cause the child to ‘disconnect’ from reality during times of stress. It seems that the severity of the dissociative disorder in adulthood is directly related to the severity of the childhood trauma.
Traumatic events that occur during adulthood may also cause dissociative disorders. Such events may include war, torture or going through a natural disaster.
Complications
Without treatment, possible complications for a person with a dissociative disorder may include:
- life difficulties such as broken relationships and job loss
- sleep problems such as insomnia
- sexual problems
- severe depression
- anxiety disorders
- eating disorders such as anorexia or bulimia
- problematic drug use including alcoholism
- self-harm, including suicide.
Diagnosis
If you are concerned that you or a loved one may have a dissociative disorder, it is important to seek professional help.
Dissociative disorders always require professional diagnosis and care.
Diagnosis can be tricky because dissociative disorders are complex and their symptoms are common to a number of other conditions. For example:
- Physical causes (such as head trauma or brain tumours) can cause amnesia and other cognitive problems.
- Mental illnesses such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder may cause similar symptoms to a dissociative disorder.
- The effects of certain substances, including some recreational drugs and prescription medications, can mimic symptoms.
- Diagnosis may be further hampered when a dissociative disorder coexists with another mental health problem, such as depression.
Treatment
Treatment for dissociative disorders may vary based on the type of disorder you have and your individual needs, but generally include psychotherapy and medication. Treatment must occur in a safe and relaxed environment.
- Psychotherapy – also known as ‘talk therapy’ or counselling, which is usually needed for the long term. Examples include cognitive therapy and psychoanalysis.
- Medication – Although there are no medications that specifically treat dissociative disorders, your doctor may prescribe antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications or antipsychotic medications to help control the mental health symptoms associated with dissociative disorders.
Where to get help
- Your GP (doctor) – for referral to a specialist service
- Psychologist
- Psychiatrist
- DissociationExternal Link, Anxiety Disorder Association of Victoria.
- Dissociation and dissociative disordersExternal Link, Mental Health America.
- Frequently asked questions: dissociation and dissociative disordersExternal Link, International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation.
- Dissociative disordersExternal Link, Mayo Clinic US.
- All about dissociative disordersExternal Link, Kids Helpline.
- Dissociation and trauma in young peopleExternal Link, Orygen.
This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by:
Department of Health
This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by:
Department of Health
Give feedback about this page
Was this page helpful?
More information
Content disclaimer
Content on this website is provided for information purposes only. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not in any way endorse or support such therapy, service, product or treatment and is not intended to replace advice from your doctor or other registered health professional. The information and materials contained on this website are not intended to constitute a comprehensive guide concerning all aspects of the therapy, product or treatment described on the website.
All users are urged to always seek advice from a registered health care professional for diagnosis and answers to their medical questions and to ascertain whether the particular therapy, service, product or treatment described on the website is suitable in their circumstances. The State of Victoria and the Department of Health shall not bear any liability for reliance by any user on the materials contained on this website.
Reviewed on: 17-02-2023
Dissociation. What is "Dissociation"? The concept and definition of the term "Dissociation" - Glossary
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Dissociation (lat.
dissociatio - separation) is a method of psychological defense, which consists in the perception of what is happening by a person as something that is inherent in an outsider.
The French psychologist P. Janet introduced the term at the end of the 19th century as a result of research proving that some ideas can exist separately from consciousness and return to consciousness through hypnosis. Dissociation can be positive - when a person uses it to abstract from negative emotions and get an opportunity to adequately assess the situation.
However, it is not uncommon for a patient to use dissociation to cope with a situation that is actually quite safe, but is perceived by him as something negative due to the increased sensitivity of the personality. In this context, dissociation is negative, because through it a person moves away from others, the process of his social adaptation becomes more complicated, which ultimately aggravates his emotional state even more.
Extreme forms of dissociation are inherent in various mental disorders - most often psychoses. American psychologist Nancy McWilliams sees dissociation as a way to protect a person who has a multiple personality disorder. People who have suffered psychological damage (usually in childhood) - for example, they have been subjected to violence or experienced a severe catastrophe - show a particular tendency to dissociate.
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Dissociation (psychology) | it's... What is Dissociation (Psychology)?
This term has other meanings, see Dissociation.
Dissociation is a mental process referred to as psychological defense mechanisms. As a result of the operation of this mechanism, a person begins to perceive what is happening to him as if it is happening not to him, but to someone else. This "dissociated" position protects against excessive, unbearable emotions.
The term "dissociation" was proposed at the end of the 19th century by the French psychologist and physician P. Janet, who noticed that a complex of ideas can split off from the main personality and exist independently and outside consciousness (but can be brought back to consciousness with the help of hypnosis).
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Contents
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Description
Dissociation is a fairly common, although not used by most people under normal conditions, defense. People who have experienced the operation of this mechanism usually describe the dissociated state with phrases like: "as if it were not happening to me." In some cases, a person can be so dissociated from himself that he begins to see himself from the side, up to the feeling of leaving the body.
As an adaptive process
Normal dissociation is a reaction to psychological trauma, to a strong negative experience in conditions that require emotional composure and control over one's own actions. Turning to the perception of the events of his life as if from the outside, a person gets the opportunity to soberly evaluate them and react with cold calculation.
[1]
As a defense mechanism
Although the adaptive function of dissociation is itself protective, this mechanism can be used by some people to protect not only from really difficult and dangerous situations that require immediate sober assessment, but also from simply emotionally unbearable events . People who are hypersensitive to negative emotions may dissociate in the most common situations for other people that require them to be emotionally involved. Such people hardly establish emotional contact, seem exceptionally cold and cold-blooded. Providing the ability to “soberly” assess any situation, dissociation often blocks the ability to adequately assess its emotional component. Particularly inclined to dissociate are people who have repeatedly suffered (especially in childhood) severe psychological trauma: those who have been subjected to violence, survived a catastrophe, etc. [1]
Association with mental disorders
Nancy McWilliams describes dissociation as a central defense of people with multiple personality disorder.
