#SOCIAL AMNESIA DEFINITION PROFESSIONAL#

While the different personality states influence the person’s behaviour, the person is usually not aware of these personality states and experiences them as memory lapses. The condition typically involves the coexistence of two or more personality states within the same person. Previously called multiple personality disorder, this is the most severe kind of dissociative disorder. Dissociative identity disorderĭissociative identity disorder (DID) is the most controversial of the dissociative disorders and is disputed and debated among mental health professionals. They may perceive their body to be a different shape or size than usual in severe cases, they cannot recognise themselves in a mirror. The person may report feeling ‘spacey’ or out of control. Other typical symptoms include problems with concentration and memory. People with this type of disorder say they feel distant and emotionally unconnected to themselves, as if they are watching a character in a boring movie. Depersonalisation disorderĭepersonalisation disorder is characterised by feeling detached from one’s life, thoughts and feelings. When the person comes out of their dissociative fugue, they are usually confused with no recollection of the ‘new life’ they have made for themselves. Typically, the person travels from home – sometimes over thousands of kilometres – while in the fugue, which may last between hours and months. They don’t realise they are experiencing memory loss and may invent a new identity. The person suddenly, and without any warning, can’t remember who they are and has no memory of their past. Systematised amnesia – the person may have a very particular and specific memory loss for example, they may have no recollection of one relative.ĭissociative fugue is also known as psychogenic fugue.Generalised amnesia – the person has trouble remembering the details of their entire life.Selective amnesia – the person has patchy or incomplete memories of the traumatic event.For example, following an assault, a person with localised amnesia may not recall any details for a few days. Localised amnesia – for a time, the person has no memory of the traumatic event at all.The four categories of dissociative amnesia include: Dissociative amnesia may be linked to other disorders such as an anxiety disorder. This type of amnesia can last from a few days to one or more years. This is also known as psychogenic amnesia. Mental health professionals recognise four main types of dissociative disorder, including:ĭissociative amnesia is when a person can’t remember the details of a traumatic or stressful event, although they do realise they are experiencing memory loss. Identity confusion – for example, behaving in a way that the person would normally find offensive or abhorrent.Feeling compelled to behave in a certain way.Significant memory lapses such as forgetting important personal information.Other cognitive (thought-related) problems such as concentration problems.Memory problems that aren’t linked to physical injury or medical conditions.Feeling as though the world is distorted or not real (called ‘derealisation’).Depression or anxiety problems, or both.

Sudden and unexpected shifts in mood – for example, feeling very sad for no reason.

Problems with handling intense emotions.Symptoms and signs of dissociative disorders depend on the type and severity, but may include:

If you are concerned that you or a loved one may have a dissociative disorder, it is important to seek professional help. Dissociative disorders are controversial and complex problems that need specific diagnosis, treatment and support. Some people, however, develop a dissociative disorder that requires treatment. In most cases, the dissociation resolves without the need for treatment. For example, the event seems ‘unreal’ or the person feels detached from what’s going on around them as if watching the events on television. People who experience a traumatic event will often have some degree of dissociation during the event itself or in the following hours, days or weeks. Dissociative disorders include dissociative amnesia, dissociative fugue, depersonalisation disorder and dissociative identity disorder. Dissociation is a mental process where a person disconnects from their thoughts, feelings, memories or sense of identity.

#SOCIAL AMNESIA DEFINITION PROFESSIONAL#

Social amnesia definition