Dissociative Disorder, Symptoms, Complications, Causes, Risk factors, Prevention

Short Overview about Dissociative Disorders

One distinguishing characteristic of the mental diseases known as dissociative disorders is a sense of discontinuity and disconnection from one's thoughts, memories, environment, activities, and identity. Dissociative disorder sufferers struggle to carry out daily chores because they unknowingly and unhealthy flee reality.   

Dissociative disorders: What are they?

Traumatic events frequently result in dissociative disorders, which are used to numb painful memories. Your symptoms, which can include everything from forgetfulness to alternate identities, may be influenced by the type of dissociation disease you have. Symptoms may get momentarily worsened by stressful circumstances, becoming more obvious. Dissociative disorders may be treated with medication and talk therapy (psychotherapy). Many people manage their illness well and lead happy, fulfilling lives despite the difficulties connected with treating dissociative disorders.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

Symptoms 

You may experience the following indications and symptoms, depending on the type of dissociative illness you have:

•  Loss of memory (amnesia) for specific times, events, individuals, and private information.
• A feeling of detachment from your emotions and self.
  
  
• A distorted and unreal perception of the people and things around you.
• A fuzzy sense of self.
•  Considerable stress or issues with your relationships, career, or other significant aspects of your life.
• A poor ability to handle emotional or work-related stress.
• Issues with one's mental health, such as depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideas and actions.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) issued by the American Psychiatric Association lists three primary dissociative disorders:

        1. Dissociative amnesia:

The main symptom is memory loss that is more severe than simple forgetfulness and that cannot be attributed to a medical issue. It is impossible to recall specifics about oneself, events, or people in one's life, particularly after a terrible incident. Dissociative amnesia might be limited to certain prior events, such violent combat, or, less frequently, it can involve complete loss of memory. Traveling or aimlessly wandering away from your life may occasionally be involved (dissociative fugue). Amnesia episodes often begin quickly and might last for a few minutes, several hours, or, in extremely unusual circumstances, months or years.

        2. Depersonalization-derealization disorder:

The experience of being far from or outside of yourself, and witnessing your actions, thoughts, ideas, and self as though you were watching a movie, may be constant or irregular (depersonalization). The world could seem unreal, time might seem to have slowed down or sped up, and the people and surroundings might seem far away, hazy, or dreamlike (derealization). Derealization, depersonalization, or both may take place. The distressing symptoms may only last a short time or may recur frequently over a long period of time.

        3. Dissociative identity disorder:

The hallmark of this illness, formerly known as multiple personality disorder, is the "switching" between various personas. It's possible to hear two or more voices speaking to you or inhabiting your head, as well as to feel as though other personalities are in control of you. Each identity may have a unique name, history, personality qualities, such as voice, gender, mannerisms, and even bodily characteristics like the need for spectacles, as well as physical characteristics. There are variances in how each identity gets to know the others as well. People with dissociative identity disorder frequently experience dissociative amnesia and dissociative fugue.

 

Complications 

The following consequences and related problems are more common in people with dissociative disorders:

• Self-harm or mutilation 
• Suicidal thoughts and behavior 
• Depression and anxiety disorders 
• Post-traumatic stress disorder 
• Physical symptoms such as lightheadedness or non-epileptic seizures 
• Major difficulties in personal relationships and at work 
• Sleep disorders, including nightmares, insomnia and
  sleepwalking 
• Eating disorders 
• Personality disorders 
• Sexual dysfunction 
• Alcoholism and drug use disorders 

Causes 

Dissociative disorders typically arise as a result of traumatization. Children who have experienced long-term physical, sexual, or emotional abuse or, less frequently, children who live in stressful or unstable homes are most likely to develop the disorders. Dissociative disorders can also develop as a result of the stress of war or natural disasters.

During childhood, a person's identity is still developing. Therefore, a youngster is better than an adult at stepping outside of themselves and seeing trauma as though it were occurring to someone else. A youngster who develops the ability to detach in order to survive a traumatic event may use this coping skill to deal with stressful events all throughout their lives.

                                                                                                                                                                                

Risk factors 

The greatest risk factor for developing dissociative disorders is long-term physical, sexual, or emotional abuse throughout childhood. These diseases may also manifest in children and people who have been exposed to other traumatic events, such as war, natural disasters, kidnapping, torture, or prolonged, stressful, early medical treatments.                                                                      

Prevention 

Children who experience abuse on any level physical, emotional, or sexual are more likely to experience mental illnesses such dissociative disorders. Consult with a professional if stress or other personal concerns are impacting how you treat your child.

Request assistance finding services like parental support groups and family therapists.

Find out whether your local church or community education programmed offers parenting classes that can teach you how to raise your children in a more healthy manner.

Speak with someone you can trust, like a friend, your doctor, or a respected member of your religious group.

                                                                           

                                           

Consult a doctor right away if your child has been abused or has gone through another traumatic event. Your doctor can make a recommendation for a mental health expert who can assist your child in getting better and developing positive coping mechanisms.

Having Anxiety and depression is like being scared and tired at the same time. Its the fear of failure but no urge to be productive. Its wanting friends but hate socializing. Its wanting to be alone but not wanting to be lonely. Its caring about nothing. Its feeling everything at once then feeling paralyzingly numb.

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