Dissociative disorders
How are dissociative disorders treated?
If you have been diagnosed with a dissociative disorder, a mental health specialist will want to ask you more questions about how you are feeling and find out whether you suffered any trauma in the past.
It's important to be honest about your symptoms, and not feel ashamed or embarrassed, so you can receive the help and support you need.
Some people with dissociative disorders will benefit from a course of psychotherapy or counselling. This talking therapy aims to help you cope with the underlying cause of your symptoms, and helps you to manage the periods of feeling disconnected.
EMDR has been found to reduce the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. It involves making side-to-side eye movements, usually by following the movement of the therapist's finger, while recalling the traumatic incident.
It is not clear exactly how EMDR works, but it may help the malfunctioning part of the brain to process distressing memories and flashbacks so that they have less influence over your mind.
Read about the:
treatment of depression
treatment of anxiety
treatment of insomnia
Many people make a full recovery with treatment and support.
If you're feeling suicidal
If you are reading this because you have, or have had, thoughts about taking your own life, it's important you ask someone for help. It's probably difficult for you to see it at this time, but you're not alone and not beyond help.
Thereare people you can talk to who want to help:
- speak toa friend, family member or someone you trust as they may be able to help you calm down and find some breathing space
- call the Samaritans 24-hour support service on 08457 90 90 90
- go to, or call,your nearest accident and emergency (A&E) department and tell the staff how you are feeling
- contact NHS 111
- make an urgent appointment to see your GP
Listening is the best way to help. Try to avoid offering solutions and try not to judge.
If theyhave previously been diagnosed with a mental health condition, such as depression, you can speak to a member of their care team for help and advice.
Visit healthtalkonline for other people's accounts of living with a mental health condition.
You may also find these organisations helpful:
- Positive Outcomes for Dissociative Survivors (PODS)
- Survivors Trauma and Abuse Recovery Trust (START)
- Victim Support
Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 21 Dec 2018
Introduction
A dissociative disorder is a mental health condition that alters a person's sense of reality
What is dissociative amnesia?
Someone with dissociative amnesia will repeatedly have periods where they cannot remember information about themselves or about events in their past life. They may also forget a learnt talent or skill
What is depersonalisation-derealisation disorder?
'Depersonalisation' means feeling detached from yourself, observing yourself and your feelings and thoughts as if they belong to someone else you are watching in a movie. Some of the typical symptoms
What is dissociative identity disorder?
Dissociative identity disorder, or 'multiple personality disorder', is the most extreme of the three types. If you've been diagnosed with dissociative identity disorder, you may feel uncertain about
What's the cause?
Many people with a dissociative disorder will have experienced a traumatic event in the past. Often, this traumatic event will have been physical, sexual or emotional abuse suffered during childhood,
What are the some of the associated conditions?
Someone with adissociative disorder may also suffer from: post-traumatic stress disorder depression mood swings anxiety and panic attacks suicidal tendencies and/or self-harm headaches
How are dissociative disorders treated?
If you have been diagnosed with a dissociative disorder, a mental health specialist will want to ask you more questions about how you are feeling and find out whether you suffered any trauma in the pa
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