Dissociative amnesia

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Dissociative Amnesia

Dissociative amnesia (/dɪˈsoʊʃiːˌeɪtɪv æmˈniːʒə/), derived from the Greek words dissociare meaning "to separate" and amnesia meaning "forgetfulness", is a type of amnesia that involves disruptions or breakdowns of memory, consciousness, awareness, identity, or perception.

Definition

Dissociative amnesia is a condition in which a person cannot remember important information about their life. This is not due to ordinary forgetfulness. This type of amnesia is a part of the dissociative disorders spectrum, which are mental illnesses that involve disruptions or breakdowns of memory, consciousness, awareness, identity, or perception.

Symptoms

Symptoms of dissociative amnesia can include:

  • Sudden inability to recall past experiences or personal information
  • Memory loss that is too extensive to be explained by ordinary forgetfulness
  • The presence of dissociative fugue, a rare condition in which a person suddenly, without planning or warning, travels far from home or work and leaves behind a past life.

Causes

The exact cause of dissociative amnesia is unknown, but it's often linked to severe stress, which might be the result of traumatic events — such as war, abuse, accidents, or disasters — that the person has experienced or witnessed.

Treatment

Treatment for dissociative amnesia focuses on techniques for helping individuals improve their memory and restore their identity. This can include psychotherapy, cognitive therapy, family therapy, and medication.

See Also

External links

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