Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors
Harmony United Psychiatric Care Logo

What is a dissociative disorder?

Dissociative disorders involve problems with memory, identity, sense of self, perception, emotion, and behavior. Symptoms of a dissociative disorder include the experience of feeling detached from reality, feeling outside one’s body, and a loss of memory or amnesia. Dissociative disorders are frequently associated with previous experiences of trauma.

There are several different diagnostic categories of dissociative disorders. These include:

  • Depersonalization or Derealization
  • Dissociative Identity Disorder
  • Dissociative Amnesia
  • Other Specified Dissociative Disorder
  • Unspecified Dissociative Disorder

What is Depersonalization or Derealization Disorder?

A person with depersonalization disorder feels persistently or repeatedly detached or estranged from one’s themself. Patients with this condition may report feeling like they are on automatic pilot or as if they are watching themselves in a movie. Similar to this is derealization disorder when a person feels detached from their environment or detached from reality.  A person may feel a lack of connection and emotion with the outside world, as if they are dreaming or in a trance. 

Temporary experiences of depersonalization and derealization are extremely common in normal populations. In fact, they are the third most commonly reported psychiatric symptoms, after depression and anxiety.

What causes Depersonalization or Derealization Disorder?

Approximately one-third to one-half of patients with depersonalization disorder report histories of significant trauma. Among accident victims, as many as 60 percent with a life-threatening experience report at least transient depersonalization during the event or immediately after it. Military training studies find that symptoms of depersonalization and derealization are commonly caused by stress and fatigue.

Symptoms of depersonalization disorder are also common in:

  • Seizure patients and migraine sufferers
  • After mild to moderate head injury, when little or no loss of consciousness occurs, but are much less likely if unconsciousness lasts for more than 30 minutes. lasts for more than 30 minutes.
  • After life-threatening experiences, with or without serious bodily injury

They can also occur:

  • As a result of a medical condition or neurological condition
  • After intoxication or withdrawal from illicit drugs, including marijuana, cocaine, LSD, mescaline, and other psychostimulants.
  • As a side effect of medications, such as anticholinergic agents
  • As a symptom of panic attacks, PTSD, acute stress disorder, phobias, schizophrenia, or other dissociative disorder

Mental Health Library Sources:

Information included in all topics of the Mental Health Library comes from the Desk Reference to the Diagnostic Criteria From DSM-5 and Kaplan & Sadock’s Concise Textbook of Clinical Psychiatry. Complete diagnostic and treatment information may be found within these publications.

Disclaimer:

Information within the Mental Health Library is not intended to be used for self-diagnosis purposes. Rather, it is provided as a public educational service to make people aware of mental health conditions. Please consult a qualified mental health professional for a diagnosis of any suspected mental health illness.

Our Impact in Numbers

Discover the essence of Harmony United Psychiatric Care through our impactful numbers. Our experienced team is dedicated to fostering mental well-being.

10

+

Years of Experience

With 10 years of unwavering commitment to mental health, we bring a wealth of experience to support our patients on their journey.

About Us

58

+

Providers

Our dedicated team comprises 58 skilled therapists', psychiatrists', psychologists', ensuring personalized and expert care for each individual.

Providers

13

+

Locations

Across multiple locations, we extend our reach to provide accessible mental health care tailored to diverse communities.

Locations

70000

+

Patients Served

Over 70000 patients have entrusted us with their mental well-being, experiencing compassionate care and positive outcomes.

Book Appointment

Discover Harmony

Welcome to the latest edition of “Discover Harmony,” the newsletter from Harmony United Psychiatric Care! In this edition, we bring you insights, updates, and valuable information to support your mental well-being journey.

Subscribe to newsletter

© Copyright 2024 HUPCFL All Rights Reserved.

Menu

Book Appt

Call

Login

Pay Bill