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Dissociation is a mental process that causes a lack of
connection in a person�s thoughts, memory and sense of identity.
Dissociation seems to fall on a continuum of severity. Mild
dissociation would be like daydreaming, getting �lost� in a book,
or when you are driving down a familiar stretch of road and realize
that you do not remember the last several miles. A severe and more
chronic form of dissociation is seen in the disorder Dissociative
Identity Disorder, once called Multiple Personality Disorder, and
other Dissociative Disorders.
How Common is
Dissociation?
Transient and mild dissociative experiences are common. Almost
1/3rd of people say they occasionally feel as though they are
watching themselves in a movie, and 4% say they feel that way as
much as 1/3rd of the time. The incidence of these experiences is
highest in youth and steadily declines after the age of 20.
7% of the population may have suffered from a dissociative
disorder at some time. But these disorders are difficult to
identify and may go undiagnosed for many years.
Other Forms of Dissociation
Other dissociative disorders include �psychogenic amnesia� (the
inability to recall personally significant memories), �psychogenic
fugue� (memory loss characteristic of amnesia, loss of one�s
identity, and fleeing from one�s home environment), and �multiple
personality� (the person has two or more distinct personalities
that alternate with one another. This is also known as
�Dissociative Identity Disorder� or �Multiple Personality
Disorder�).
Treatment
When dissociative experiences are the central, chronic, and
overwhelming problem, treatment usually demands long-term
individual psychotherapy. People with these disorders often have
good reasons to mistrust authority as well as a lifelong habit of
keeping secrets from themselves and others. A working alliance must
be established with an often demoralized and suspicious person who
believes the world is unjust or that he/she is an evil person.
Other Resources
The International Society for
the Study of Dissociation, 847-480-0899
Sidran Institute, 410-825-8888 or
888-825-8249
For additional assistance on mental health issues or referrals,
contact your local Mental Health Association, community mental
health center or the NMHA Resource Center at 1- 800-969-6642
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