Dissociative Phenomena Depersonalization

Altered Perception of Self Derealization

Altered Perception of World Common Experience

“Nor

mal

”D

isso

ciat

ion

“Nor

mal

”D

isso

ciat

ion AmnesiaAmnesia FugueFugue

Dissociative Id

entity

Dissociative Id

entity

Deperson-alizationDeperson-alization

Depersonalization or Derealization As primary issue

Causes Significant Distress Impairs Functioning Usually Runs a Chronic Course High comorbidity with depression and

anxiety

Psychogenic Memory LossGeneralized

Unable to remember anythingLocalized or Selective

Failure to recall specific eventsAssumed to be traumatic events

Related to Dissociative Amnesia Memory Loss

Specific Incident or Trigger Move to Another Location

Unaware How They Arrived Often Assume a New Identity Fugue Often Ends Abruptly

TreatmentUsually get better without

treatmentMost eventually remember what

they have forgotten

Previously Labeled Multiple Personality Disorder

Person’s Identity or Personality Is Dissociated

Adoption of Several New Identities Reported cases of 100+

Identities Display Unique Characteristics/Behavior

Terminology Alters – different identities or

personalities Host – the identity that keeps other

identities together Switch – quick transition from one

personality to another

Severe Childhood Abuse 97% of Cases Escape into Fantasy World Become Someone Else to Survive Closely Related to PTSD

High Level of Suggestibility Hypnotizability

Hypnosis Seen as a Form of Dissociation Related to DID?

TreatmentAwareness and Integration of

IdentitiesNeutralize Triggers to

Dissociation including Memories of Trauma

Similar to PTSD

Recovered Memory Syndrome False vs. Real Memories Can False Memories Be Created? Do Therapists “Plant” Memories? Consequences of the Debate