What Are Dissociative Disorders?
Dissociative disorders involve an involuntary disconnection from thoughts, memories, emotions, behaviors, or even a person’s identity. This mental disconnection can interfere with daily functioning, impacting personal, academic, and professional life. People with dissociative disorders may feel detached from themselves or their surroundings. These conditions affect around 2% of the population and are more frequently diagnosed in women, though they can occur in individuals of any age, background, or income level.
Who Is Affected by Dissociative Disorders?
Trauma is closely linked to the development of dissociative disorders. Studies indicate that more than 90% of people with these conditions have experienced trauma, particularly during childhood.
Long-term exposure to emotional, physical, or sexual abuse is commonly associated with dissociation. Traumatic events such as military combat, natural disasters, or witnessing violence may also contribute. Dissociation often begins as a survival response to overwhelming trauma. However, it’s important to understand that not all trauma survivors will develop dissociative symptoms.
There are three primary types of dissociative disorders:
- Dissociative Amnesia
- Depersonalization/Derealization Disorder
- Dissociative Identity Disorder
Core Symptoms of Dissociative Disorders
Symptoms vary, but commonly include:
- Memory gaps—often involving key people, places, or traumatic events
- Feelings of detachment—such as observing oneself from outside the body
- Emotional numbness or lack of affect
- Disconnection from personal identity or a sense of self
- Difficulties functioning in school, work, or relationships
- Associated mental health conditions (see below)
- Anxiety disorders
- Depression
- Sleep disturbances
- Anger management issues
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Substance use disorders
- Borderline personality disorder
- Suicidal thoughts or self-harming behaviors
3 Types of Dissociative Disorders
Neuroimaging studies show that dissociative disorders involve structural and functional changes in areas of the brain responsible for emotional regulation, memory, attention, and sensory processing.
This type is marked by the inability to recall personal information—typically linked to a traumatic or stressful event. Memory loss may be limited to specific incidents or, in rare cases, span larger segments of a person’s life history. In some situations, individuals may even lose their sense of identity.
Dissociative amnesia is different from age-related memory loss or dementia, as it typically stems from psychological trauma rather than neurological decline.
This condition involves chronic or recurring episodes of:
Depersonalization: A feeling of being outside one’s body or observing oneself from a distance.
Derealization: A sensation that the surrounding environment or people are unreal or distorted.
Many people experience both symptoms, sometimes simultaneously. The average age of onset is 16, though signs may appear earlier. Around 80% of individuals with this condition report their first episode before age 20. Nearly half of all adults experience a depersonalization/derealization episode at least once, but a clinical diagnosis is made only when the symptoms are persistent or recurring.
Previously known as multiple personality disorder, DID is characterized by the presence of two or more distinct identities or personality states within the same individual. These identities often have unique names, traits, memories, and voices.
Individuals with DID often have significant memory lapses regarding personal history, daily tasks, or traumatic experiences. These memory gaps can interfere with work, education, and relationships.
DID is more frequently diagnosed in women, though the prevalence in men may be underreported due to differing symptom expression—men often show aggression rather than noticeable memory lapses.
Self-harm and suicidal behaviors are extremely common in those with DID. Studies show that over 70% of individuals with this disorder have attempted suicide.
Treating Dissociative Disorders
It’s important to know that recovery is possible. With the right approach, individuals living with dissociative disorders can manage their symptoms and work toward a fulfilling, balanced life. A customized treatment plan often includes a combination of therapies to address both the root causes and related symptoms.
Common treatments for dissociative disorders may include:
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
- Talk therapy (psychotherapy)
- Clinical hypnosis
- Medications to manage co-occurring symptoms such as anxiety or depression
- Holistic and natural therapeutic approaches