Dissociative disorders - causes and signs of dissociative disorders

Types of this disorder

According to the DSM-IV classification, dissociative disorders are:

• depersonalization is a disorder of self-perception. The patient perceives his actions from the outside. Feelings of loss of control over his actions are characteristic. Accompanied by derealization. Can be considered as a symptom of various mental disorders (depression, schizophrenia, schizotypal disorder, panic and bipolar disorder). Can also be defined as an independent syndrome of depersonalization-derealization. May lead to suicide;

• dissociative fugue – develops with a deliberate and sudden move to an unfamiliar place (information about oneself is forgotten, but the rest of the memory is preserved);
• dissociative identity disorder or ego state – characterized by a split personality of a person, as a result of which it seems that several completely different personalities are in one body. There is a periodic switching of personalities. There is no memory of one personality while the other is active;
• dissociative amnesia – the patient loses memory, and memory loss occurs only for events of a personal nature. Develops as a result of severe and prolonged stress. The ability to absorb new information is preserved. The duration of this condition is from a couple of hours to several months.

According to the ICD-10 classification, dissociative disorders are:

• dissociative fugue;
• dissociative amnesia;
• dissociative stupor;
• possession and trance;
• dissociative movement disorders;
• loss of sensory perception or dissociative anesthesia;
• dissociative pseudo-seizures or convulsions - similar in appearance to epileptic seizures. Biting of the tongue and involuntary urination are not typical.

Psychologists distinguish the following types of this disorder:

• psychogenic fugue;
• the emergence of multiple personality;
• psychogenic amnesia.

Causes

Causes that contribute to the development of dissociative disorders:

• severe and frequent stress;
• unbearable stress;
• various traumatic events;
• mental trauma;
• an intolerable situation;
• the presence of severe emotional trauma;
• repeated extreme physical abuse;
• repeated sexual abuse;
• repeated emotional abuse;
• lack of care in childhood;
• traumatic experience;
• lack of protection from unwanted experiences;
• long periods of sleep deprivation;
• the patient receiving a dose of "laughing gas" (for example, during dental procedures);
• the use of hypnosis on the patient;
• ardent adherence to a religious cult (for example, a state of trance);
• various meditative practices;
• abuse in childhood;
• participation in combat actions;
• torture;
• negative influence from relatives in childhood;
• surviving a natural disaster or car accident;
• long-term use of alcoholic beverages, as well as drugs;
• the effect of toxic substances on the brain.

Dissociative disorders most often arise as a defense mechanism in response to various traumatic factors.

Symptoms

Symptoms of dissociative disorders, which are characteristic to varying degrees of each type of disease:

• the appearance of a split personality;
• sudden loss of memory by the patient (memory loss can be partial or complete, long-term or short-term);
• consciousness may not be impaired, or it may be impaired to varying degrees;
• narrowing of consciousness;
• sudden departure from home or work;
• fictitious personality of the patient;
• distortions in the sense of space and time;
• impaired perception of the world;
• anxiety and depressive states;
• misspeaking - the patient gives incorrect answers to simple questions;
• disorientation;
• perception disorders;
• reduced response to external stimuli;
• trance state;
• attacks of excitement followed by amnesia.

Diagnostics

When the first signs of impaired consciousness appear, as well as in case of amnesia, it is necessary to make an appointment with a neurologist or psychiatrist. The specialist will conduct a survey and consultation with the patient. The diagnosis is made after a survey based on the patient's behavior.

• electrocardiogram;
• computed tomography;
• magnetic resonance imaging.

Treatment

Treatment of this condition includes:

• psychotherapy;
• drug treatment (antidepressants, tranquilizers);
• hypnosis.

Prevention

Prevention of dissociative disorders includes:

• correct image life;
• prevention of child violence;
• avoidance of emotional and mental stress.