We all have moments when we daydream, when we lose our minds for a moment. When you're driving, you suddenly wonder, "How did I get here?" That's normal. But if you're constantly feeling a huge void, a disconnection, about who you are, where you are, what your memories are, that might be something we need to talk about. That's what we call Dissociative Disorders.
Simply put, what is Dissociative Disorder?
This is a mental health condition. What happens here is that the connection between your thoughts, memories, feelings, identity, and your understanding of the world around you is broken. Simply put, you feel "disconnected" from the real world, or your own body. It feels like you're watching your life from the outside.
These conditions often occur after experiencing a severe, traumatic event. It's like a defense mechanism the brain uses to escape from unbearable pain. But if this mechanism continues, it can have a major impact on daily life.
What are the main types of this condition?
Dissociative disorders are mainly divided into three types. Each type has slightly different symptoms. Let's take a look at what they are.
| Disorder Type | Simple explanation |
|---|---|
| Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) | The existence of two or more distinct identities within a person. Each of these identities (also called "alters") has its own memories, behaviors, and desires. Only one of these identities controls the person at a time. |
| Dissociative Amnesia | Suddenly forgetting important details from your life, especially those related to traumatic events. This is much more serious than normal forgetfulness. Sometimes you may even forget who you are. |
| Depersonalization/Derealization Disorder | There are two parts to this. Depersonalization is the feeling of being detached from your body and thoughts, as if you are being watched from outside. Derealization is the feeling that the people and environment around you are not real, but rather a blur, like a dream. |
In addition, there is a symptom called dissociative fugue . What happens here is that you forget who you are and suddenly find yourself in an unfamiliar place.
Why does this situation occur?
The main cause of this has been identified as severe traumatic experiences (trauma) . Especially persistent physical, psychological, or sexual abuse during childhood has a major impact on this.
Imagine, a small child feels unbearable pain and fear. At that time, there is no way for that child to escape from that situation. Then, the brain, in order to get rid of that pain, begins to mentally "dissociate" from that event. It is like making up its mind that "this is not happening to me, it is happening to someone else."
Although this initially helps to relieve the pain, over time this "separation" becomes a habit and begins to affect normal life. That's when it becomes a medical condition.
In addition to childhood abuse,
- Facing a serious accident
- Facing a natural disaster (such as floods, landslides)
- Living in a war environment
- Being a victim of a serious crime
Things like this can also cause these situations to occur.
What exactly do these symptoms feel like?
The symptoms of this condition vary depending on the type. These symptoms can become worse when stress increases.
Symptoms of Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)
If someone has DID, their behavior can change a lot from one moment to the next. Imagine you have a friend who is very quiet and timid some days. Another day he is very mischievous and talkative. Another day he acts like a little child. Each of those "persons" can have a different voice, different memories, and different desires.
- Memory gaps: It is common to lose track of things you did or said, important personal information, or the events of the day.
- Alternate identities: This switching of identities occurs suddenly and without control.
Symptoms of Dissociative Amnesia
The main symptom is memory loss (amnesia).
- Localized Amnesia: Complete loss of memory for a specific event or period of time. (For example, not remembering anything about the week after a serious accident). This is the most common type.
- Selective Amnesia: Forgetting only selected parts of an event. (For example, remembering the screams during a fight, but not the way the person was hit).
- Generalized Amnesia: Completely forgetting who you are and what your life story is. This is a very rare condition.
Often, the person is unaware that they have lost their memory, but family and friends are very aware of the difference.
Symptoms of depersonalization/derealization disorder
A person with this condition experiences these feelings continuously.
- Depersonalization: Feelings like "I'm not in my body," "I'm dreaming," "My voice isn't mine." You may feel like your body is acting out of control, like a robot.
- Derealization: Feelings such as "the world around me is not real", "everything is blurry, it looks like a movie", "time is passing very slowly, or it feels like it is going too fast".
The important thing is that even when these feelings come, the person knows that this is not normal . That's why they can be very scared and worry that they are going crazy.
How does a doctor diagnose this?
If you have these symptoms, you should first see your doctor. He or she will discuss your symptoms and personal history.
Symptoms like memory loss can also be caused by other physical illnesses, so the doctor will first check for such causes.
- Head injuries
- Brain tumors
- Sleep deprivation
- Drug or alcohol use
Once you've ruled out any physical causes, your doctor will refer you to a mental health specialist, such as a psychiatrist or psychologist. They'll talk to you at length, observe your behavior, and determine if this is a dissociative disorder.
What are the treatments for this?
The main method of treating these conditions is psychotherapy , or talk therapy. The main goal is to help you manage this "dissociation" process and symptoms.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): This helps you identify your negative thoughts and behaviors and replace them with healthier thought patterns.
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): This therapy is very important for people who experience emotions very intensely. It helps them learn new ways to manage their emotions.
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy: This involves moving the eyes in a specific way while reprocessing traumatic memories. This is very helpful in healing from trauma.
These treatments can sometimes be difficult because they involve recalling painful memories of the past. However, with long-term treatment under the guidance of a trusted doctor, symptoms can be controlled and a successful life can be achieved.
Although there are no specific medications for this condition, your doctor may prescribe medication for other conditions that may occur with it, such as depression or anxiety.
Is this a dangerous situation?
With proper treatment, most people can control their symptoms and continue to function well in their daily lives.
However, suicide attempts and self-harm are particularly common among people with DID. Studies have shown that more than 70% of people with DID attempt suicide.
If you or someone you know is having thoughts of harming themselves, don't delay. Go to the nearest hospital emergency room (ETU) immediately, or talk to your doctor. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness, it's a sign of strength.
If you are experiencing these symptoms, don't be afraid to talk about them. These are not your fault. These are treatable medical conditions. The sooner you get help, the less impact they can have on your life.
Take-Home Message
- Dissociative Disorders are mental health conditions that involve a feeling of "dissociation" from oneself, one's memories, and one's environment.
- The main reason for this is severe traumatic experiences, especially during childhood.
- Memory loss, feeling like you are outside your body, feeling like your environment is not real, and having multiple identities are the main symptoms.
- This is not your fault. This is a treatable condition.
- If you have these symptoms, see a doctor immediately for advice. Psychotherapy can successfully control the symptoms.
- If you are having thoughts of harming yourself, never suffer alone. Seek medical help immediately.
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