Key Takeaways
- Dissociative disorders are characterized by a disconnect from your thoughts, feelings, and sense of identity. Examples of dissociative disorders include dissociative identity disorder (DID), depersonalization-derealization disorder (DPDR), and dissociative amnesia.
- Experiencing emotional, physical, or sexual abuse during childhood are leading risk factors for developing a dissociative disorder.
- Talk therapy can help people effectively address their past trauma and manage distressing symptoms.
Dissociative disorders are mental health conditions involving a disconnect from reality. Having an unmanaged dissociative disorder can impact your sense of self and the way you interact with the world around you. It can even increase your risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors.* The good news is that access to the right mental health treatment can help you cope with symptoms associated with dissociative disorders and regain mental clarity.
*The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline provides 24/7, confidential support with trained crisis counselors. If you or a loved one is in emotional distress or a suicidal crisis, please call or text 988. If you’re experiencing a life-threatening emergency or you need immediate help, please call 911.
What do dissociative disorders feel like?
Dissociative disorders affect people’s behaviors, perception of the world, and ability to regulate their emotional responses. In many cases, symptoms are severe enough to impact daily functioning and quality of life.
Some of the most common signs of dissociation include:
- Feeling disconnected from yourself, other people, and the world around you
- Out-of-body experiences, such as feeling as though you’re watching a movie about your own life
- Emotional numbness
- Forgetting certain events, information, or periods of time
- Frequently questioning your self-identity
- Experiencing little or no physical pain
According to the American Psychiatric Association, there are three primary dissociative disorders: dissociative identity disorder, dissociative amnesia, and depersonalization-derealization disorder. All three disorders involve some of the previously mentioned symptoms, but each has its own diagnostic criteria.
1. Dissociative identity disorder
Dissociative identity disorder (DID) — previously known as multiple personality disorder — is characterized by having two or more distinct identities. When a person shifts between these identities, they can have a different way of speaking, dressing, or carrying themself. Other symptoms include hallucinations, detachment, and loss of time and awareness.
2. Dissociative amnesia
Dissociative amnesia is characterized by abnormal memory gaps, usually related to a stressful or traumatic event. People with the condition may struggle to recall information about an event or period of time (localized amnesia) or a specific aspect of an event (selective amnesia). Or they may experience a complete loss of identity (generalized amnesia).
3. Depersonalization-derealization disorder
With depersonalization-derealization disorder, people feel disconnected from themselves and their surroundings but are able to maintain contact with reality during these episodes. To be diagnosed with this condition, your episodes must be severe enough to impact relationships, performance at work and school, or other areas of functioning.
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What causes dissociative disorders?
Trauma is thought to be one of the leading causes of dissociative disorders. For some people, dissociation is their brain’s way of disconnecting from painful or distressing memories and experiences. This is especially true for children and young adults who may not have developed appropriate coping mechanisms or have the resources to leave harmful situations.
Approximately 90% of people with dissociative identity disorder in the U.S., Europe, and Canada experienced childhood abuse and neglect, including physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. Dissociative disorders can also arise from natural disasters, war, and serious medical procedures.
The onset of symptoms varies by disorder. With depersonalization-derealization disorder, symptoms often begin during childhood, and most people experience the disorder by age 20. Conversely, symptoms of dissociative amnesia typically occur immediately after a traumatic event and last for anywhere from minutes to years.
It’s also worth noting that dissociative disorders are commonly associated with other mental health conditions, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety disorders, and personality disorders.
Can dissociative disorders be prevented or treated?
Dissociative disorders are often triggered by traumatic events or other risk factors that are outside of your control. And while you may not be able to prevent a dissociative disorder, you can manage its impact on your overall well-being and quality of life. Having access to treatment can help reduce self-destructive and suicidal behavior. It can also help improve self-awareness, relationships, and overall ability to manage life’s demands.
In most cases, treating a dissociative disorder involves a combination of talk therapy, self-care strategies, and medication to manage co-occurring conditions. Treatment success partially depends on finding the right provider to help you explore and process your trauma. When healing from a dissociative disorder, you want to work with someone who accepts your experience, makes you feel safe, and is willing to support you long term.
Through therapeutic techniques like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and psychodynamic therapy, your provider can show you how to understand the root cause of symptoms and create healthier coping strategies moving forward. They may also suggest self-care and lifestyle tips, including:
- Keeping a diary to track triggers and monitor symptoms
- Using grounding techniques to remain present and focused
- Prioritizing healthy eating, regular exercise, and adequate sleep
You may be able to catch some early warning signs of a developing dissociative disorder. While symptoms can vary, you may notice memory problems, feeling detached from yourself or the world, changes in your identity or behaviors, difficulty connecting with your emotions, out-of-body experiences, checking out and becoming numb when stress occurs, unexplained somatic symptoms, losing track of time, or re-experiencing trauma in vivid ways. If you notice any of these, please reach out to a mental health professional.
Find care with Rula
If you or someone you know is showing signs of dissociation, consider seeking professional support right away. Without treatment, dissociative disorders can be severe enough to impact daily functioning and quality of life.
Rula makes it easier to find the right therapist for your mental health journey. Using our therapist-matching program, you can find a therapist who is a clinical and cultural fit, accepts your insurance, and is available to see you as soon as tomorrow.
About the author
Alex Bachert
Alex Bachert is a freelance copywriter and mental health advocate. Since earning her masters degree in public health, she has focused her career on creating informative content that empowers people to prioritize their health and well-being. Alex has partnered with organizations like Ro, WellTheory, and Firsthand, and her work has been recognized by the Digital Health Association.
When she’s not writing about mental health, Alex is usually playing pickleball, meeting with her local board of health, or enjoying time with her three kids.
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