118723, 138 Diagnosis and treatment - Mayo Clinic MAYO. CLINIC wp Dissociative disorders Diagnosis Diagnosis usualy involves assessment of symptoms and ruling aut any medical condition that could cause the symptoms. Testing and diagnosis ‘often involves a referral to a mental heath professional fo determine your diagnosis, Evaluation may includs ‘+ Physical exam, Your doctor examines you, asks in-depth questions, and reviews your symotoms and personal history. Certain tests may ‘eliminate physical conditions — for example, head injury, cartain brain diseases, sleep deprivation or intoxication — that can cause symptoms such as memory oss and a sense of unreal. + Peychiatric exam, Your mental health professional asks questons about your thoughis, feelings, and behavior and discusses your symptoms. \With your permission, information from family members or others may be helpful + Diagnostic eiteria in the DSM-S. Your mental health professional may compare your symptoms to the eiteriafor diagnosis inthe Diagnostic ‘and Statisteal Manual of Mental Disorcers (OSM), published by te American Psychiatric Association. For diagnosis of dissociative disorders, the DSM-5 sts these criteria, Dissociative amnesia For dissociative armnesia + Youive had one or more episodes in which you couldnt remember important personal information — usually something traumatic ar stressful — or you can't remember your identity oF life history. Tis memory los is oo extensive to be explained by ordinary forgetfulness. + Your episodes of memory loss don't accur only during the course of another mental h th disorder, such as post-traumatic stress disorder ‘Aso, your symptoms are not due to alcohal or other drugs, and they're not caused by a neurological or other medical conciion, such as. ‘amnesia related to head trauma, + You may also experience associative fugue, where you purposefully travel or experience confused wandering that involves armnesia — inability to remember your identity or other important personal information + Your symptoms cause you significant stress or problems in your relationships, work or other important areas of your fe Dissociative identity disorder For dissociative identity disorder + You display, or others abserve, two or more distinct idenites or personalities, which may be described in some cultures as possession thal ‘unwanted and involuntary. Each ident has its own pattem of perceiving, relating o and thinking about yourself and the work. + You have recurrent gaps in memory for everyday events, skis, important personal information and traumalic events that are too extensive to be explained by ordinary forgetfulness + Your symtoms are nota part of broadly accepted cultural or raligious practice. + Your symtoms are not due to alcohol o a other fantasy play drugs, ora medical condition. In children, symploms are not due to imaginary playmates or + Your symptoms cause you significant stress or problems in your elalionships, work or other important areas of youre Depersonalization-derealization disorder For depersonalizalion-deraalization disorder: + You have persistant or recurent experiences of feeling detached from yourselt, as if you're an outside observer of your thoughts, sensation, actions or your body (depersonalzation). Or you feel detached or experience a lack of really for your surroundings as if you're in a dream or the worlds distorted (dereatization). + While you're experiencing an episode of depersonalization or derealization, you're aware the experience is not realy + Your symptoms de nat accur only during the course of another mental disorder, such as schizophrenia or panic diserder, or during another clseociatve disorder. Your symptoms are also not explained bythe direc effec of alcohol or other drugs, or a medical onelion, euch a¢ temporal lobe epilepsy, + Your symptoms cause you significant stross or problems in your relationships, wark or other important areas of your fe Treatment Dissociative dsorders treatment may vary based on the type of dsorder you have, but generally include psychotherapy and mesication Psychotherapy hitps:twwnzmayocinc orgidlseases-conditions/dlssoclative-csordersiaiagnosis-treatmentidre-203552217p=" 18118723, 138 Diagnosis and treatment - Mayo Clinic Psychotherapy is the primary treatment for dissociative disorders, This form of therapy, also krown as tak therapy, counseling or psychosocial therapy, involves talking about your disorder and related issues with a mental heath professional. Look for a therapist wth advanced training or experience in working with people who have experienced trauma, “Your therapist will work to help you understand the cause of your condition and to form new ways of coping with stressful crcumstances. Over time, your merapist may help you talk more about the trauma you experienced, but generally only when you ave the coping skils anc relationship with your therapist to safely have these conversations. Medication [Attiough there are no medications that specifically treat dssociatve disorders, your doctor may prescribe antidepressants, ant-anxiety ‘medications or antipsychotic drugs to help control the mental health symptoms associated with dissociative dsorders Preparing for your appointment ‘As a fist stop, your doctor may ask you to coma in fr a thorough exam to rule out possible physical causes of your symptoms. Howaver, in some cases you may be referred immediatoly to a psychiatrist. You may want to take a family member or friend along, f possible, to help you remember information. Here's some information to help you propare for your appointment, and what to expect from your doctor. What you can do Bofore your appointmont, make a Ist f: + Any symptoms you're experiencing, including any recent behavior that caused confusion or concern for you or yout loved ones. + Key personal information, including any major stresses or recent Ife changes. Also note events from your pas, including your childhood, that ‘caused physical or emotional trauma, I you can't reall some periods af your ie, note the time fame and anything you can remember about tho period leading up to your amnes.a + Your medical information, including other physical or mental heath conditions you have, Inelude any medications, vlamins, herbs or other supplements you'e taking, and the dosages. + Questions to ask your doctor to make the most of your time together ‘Some questions to ask your doctor may include: + What’ likly causing my symptoms or condition? + What are other possible causes? + How wil you determine my diagnosis? + Is my condition kel temporary or long term (chronic)? + What treatments do you recommend fr this cisorder? + How much can | expect my symptoms to improve with treatment? + How wil you monitor my progress? + Ihave these other health conditions. How can I best manage them together? + Should ee a specialist? + Ae there any brochures or other printed material that can have? + What websites do you recommend? Dont estate to ask other questions during your appointment. What to expect from your doctor Your doctor is kel to ask you a number of questions. Be ready to answer tham to reserva time fo go over any points you want to focus on. Your doctor may ask ‘+ What symptoms concern you or your loved ones? + When dd you or your loved ones fist notice your symptoms? + Are there periods of time In your Ife that you don't remember? + Have you ever found yourself some distance away ftom your home or work, and not known how you got there? + Do you ever feel as if youre outside of your body, observing yours? + Do you fee! a though there is more than one person, or maybe many people, ving inside your head? + What other symptoms or behaviors are causing you or your loved ones distress? + How often do you feel anxious or depressed?” ‘+ Have your symptoms caused probloms in your work or your personal relationships? ‘+ Have you ever thought about harming yourself or others? + Do you drink aleohel or use recreational drugs? + Do you now or have you ever served inthe miltary? + Have you ever bean touched against your will? + Ware you physically abused or neglected as a chia? hitps:twwnzmayocinc orglelseases-conditions/éssoclative-dsordersialagnosis-treatmentidre-203552217p=" 28118/23, 198 PM Diagnosis and treatment - Mayo Clinic ‘+ Was anyone in your family abused during your childhood? + Are you currently bing treated for any other medical conditions, including mental health disorders? By Mayo Clinic Statt Tumsand Condions Privacy Paley otis of Privacy Practices Notes of Nondscanton Manage oni ayo cline isa nonpoexganization an proceeds om Web adverts heb support ou miss. Mayo le does nol andor any of he hepa protic end sarees ‘dvensna and seaman soley ‘Advensng ond saonsarshoproruntas, | srt copy of ese mates maybe rps for noncommercial parsnal use ony. "Mayo. avo Ch -veayctnicor "Maye Cini Henty Lng and he plese © 10062025 Maye Founcaton for Medial Eusston and Reseach (MFMER), ligt reserve hitps twwnzmayocinc orgistseases-conditions/dssoclative-dsordersiaiagnosis-treatmentidre-203552217p=1 33