Over the years, the diagnosis of a dissociative disorder, namely dissociative identity disorder (DID), depersonalization disorder, dissociative amnesia or dissociative fugue, have not always been at the top of the list for psychiatrists. This has changed to a large degree, but it’s still the case that dissociative disorders manifest symptoms similar to depression, post traumatic stress syndrome, or even eating disorders. If treatments for those other illnesses are given to sufferers of dissociative disorders, then no positive results are achieved because the true problems take some time to diagnose.
People may think of an illness involving multiple personalities when they hear about a “dissociative” disorder, but the term actually covers the four different disorders, which again are dissociative amnesia, fugue (where the person wanders away to start a new life with no memory of the past), dissociative identity disorder (or DID, the one involving multiple personalities), and depersonalization. These are not anxiety disorders, though it’s true that amnesia and fugue frequently result from some kind of trauma, and DID usually develops from ongoing childhood trauma that prevents the child from integrating their personality normally while growing up.
Psychotherapy plays a role in treating a dissociative disorder, to varying degrees. However, the disorder that involves amnesia will frequently begin with hypnosis, to help restore the blocked traumatic memories or help the person remember who they are. In these cases, drug products like Pentothal can also aid in the recovery of memories. When it comes to DID, psychotherapy is the primary tool, with the goal of working through past traumas and integrating the personalities into one, though medical treatments and hospitalization may also be required if the person’s behavior becomes too aggressive or strange. Depersonalization will also primarily use psychotherapy treatment.
It may take considerable work, not to mention time, to see results in treating a dissociative disorder. Treating dissociative fugue can sometimes bring quick recovery, but resolving traumatic amnesia or depersonalization can take longer. And even with the best treatments, dissociative identity disorder has been known to recur sometimes, though the likelihood becomes less as the person ages. Looking at these success rates, people might become discouraged about getting treatment. Yet these disorders show so many symptoms of other problems like depression, or eating or anxiety disorders, that the underlying illness does need to be treated if the person is to have any chance at recovery.
Beth Kaminski is the co-author of Curing Your Anxiety And Panic Attacks which detailed treating anxiety disorder as well as tips on the various anxiety disorder medication available at anxietydisordercure.com.
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