The disorder is thought to be more common during natural disasters, wartime, or times of major social dislocation. Physical and sexual abuses are the most frequently reported sources of childhood trauma. What Causes Dissociative Identity Disorder?ĭissociative identity disorder is strongly linked to severe experiences of early childhood trauma, usually abuse. In children, the symptoms are not better explained by imaginary playmates or other fantasy play. The symptoms are not attributable to the physiological effects of a substance (e.g., blackouts or chaotic behavior during alcohol intoxication) or another medical condition (e.g., complex partial seizures). The symptoms cause significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning. These signs and symptoms may be observed by others or reported by the individual.Ī person with this condition has recurrent gaps in the recall of everyday events, personal information, and/or traumatic events that are inconsistent with ordinary forgetting. The disruption in identity involves a marked separation from a person’s sense of self, accompanied by changes in effect, behavior, thoughts, consciousness, memory, perception, and/or sensory-motor functioning. What is Dissociative Identity Disorder (Multiple Personality Disorder)?ĭissociative identity disorder, formerly known as multiple personality disorder, is a complex psychological condition characterized by two or more distinct personality states. Some patients with depersonalization disorder respond sporadically and partially to the usual groups of psychiatric medications, singly or in combination: antidepressants, mood stabilizers, typical and atypical neuroleptics, anticonvulsants, etc. Recent studies, however, found no efficacy for fluvoxamine (Luvox) and lamotrigine (Lamictal) for depersonalization disorder. Some evidence indicates that SSRI antidepressants, such as fluoxetine (Prozac), may be helpful. Stress management strategies, distraction techniques, reduction of sensory stimulation, relaxation training, and physical exercise may be somewhat helpful in some patients.Īs far as pharmacotherapy, there are mixed results. However, many patients do not have a strong response to these types of standard psychotherapy. Many different types of psychotherapy have been used to treat depersonalization disorder, including psychodynamic, cognitive, cognitive-behavioral, hypnotherapy, and supportive therapy.
Patients with depersonalization/derealization disorder are often challenging to treat.
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