What Are The Symptoms Of Dissociative Amnesia?

Please be advised: the information found in this article is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health providers with any questions you may have.

Dissociative disorder is one of three dissociative disorders in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). The other two are dissociative identity disorder, which involves having two or more personal identities, and depersonalization/derealization disorder, in which a person feels detached from their body or mind or from their environment (derealization). 

Dissociative amnesia (formerly called psychogenic amnesia) is considered non-medical amnesia. This means it is not caused by stroke, brain injury, or other illnesses. The loss of autobiographical memory associated with dissociative amnesia is also typically present in medical amnesia. The difference between the two types of amnesia is typically the cause. 

Dissociative amnesia is thought to have a psychological cause, which can be challenging to find due to memory loss. This condition may require a psychiatrist or psychologist to study the case and make an informed diagnosis.

Diagnosis of dissociative amnesia

To diagnose dissociative amnesia, a doctor may first order medical imaging tests, such as X-rays, MRIs, or CT scans. These imaging techniques may help to rule out medical amnesia. However,  there may still be an organic cause even though it doesn’t showing up initially on imaging tests.

If a diagnosis of dissociative amnesia is made, a psychologist or psychiatrist typically works with the patient to try to figure out what caused dissociative amnesia. Since amnesia can result from brain injury, brain disease, or structural damage, psychiatrists may continue to order testing periodically. Sometimes, the damage may be so mild that it takes time to be seen. This may be especially true for growths or cell changes.

Those with dissociative amnesia can have significant memory loss triggered by a traumatic event, but the lack of autobiographical memory may be the only symptom. Those with this disorder often show no signs of other cognitive functional deficiencies. Short-term memory may be completely intact, and the memory needed to learn new things typically remains unchanged.

A diagnosis of dissociative amnesia is often not simple or easy. Memories are stored in a specific place in the brain, and damage to that area can result in amnesia. A lack of damage to memory centers tends to be the very thing that triggers controversy. For those experiencing memory loss and related problems, diagnosis can be vital for receiving the proper care.

Dissociative amnesia symptoms

The most common symptom of dissociative amnesia tends to be memory loss relating to personal identity. Memory loss can last from months to years, but most cases tend to be short. Individuals with dissociative amnesia may know where they are and how they got there, but they typically do not remember who they are. 

According to the Cleveland Clinic, there are three types of amnesia: localized, selective, and generalized. With localized amnesia, a person may not remember an event or time period, while a person with selective amnesia may not remember specific details of events from a specific time period. Finally, a person with generalized amnesia may not remember anything about their identify or life history. The latter is considered the rarest type of amnesia. 

In some rare cases, a person may also experience something called dissociative fugue. With this condition, a person typically experiences memory loss with respect to their personal information and ends up fleeing to another location and taking on a new identity.

Dissociative amnesia may occur along with personality disorders. Those with personality disorders may have experienced past trauma that has manifested in their disorders. There are other reasons for personality disorders, but trauma is thought to be a common trigger. Trauma is also believed to be a common trigger for dissociative amnesia. Only a licensed psychiatrist or psychologist can properly work through the symptoms and accurately diagnose dissociative amnesia.

Dissociative amnesia treatments

Treatment for dissociative amnesia typically involves first ensuring the safety of the individual affected and those around them and helping the person reconnect with their memory. Psychotherapy for dissociative amnesia may include a variety of therapeutic modalities, including:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

• Dialectic behavior therapy

• Family therapy

• Creative therapies (art therapy, music therapy)

In most cases, a person’s memory returns, whether gradually or suddenly as a result of something in their environment or during therapy. While there is no medication specifically for dissociative amnesia, a person may benefit from medication to treat comorbid mental health conditions, such as anxiety or depression. 

Support for the family of those with dissociative amnesia

If you know someone who may be experiencing dissociative amnesia, they may not seem very concerned like people with medical amnesia often are. It’s typically noticed by family and friends of the affected individual. This condition can take a toll on the mental health of the loved ones of a person experiencing it. If you find yourself worried about a loved one with amnesia, you may benefit from speaking to a licensed therapist about what you’re experiencing. If you can’t leave your loved one for safety reasons, you might benefit from online therapy, which research has demonstrated to be just as effective as in-office therapy. 

With online therapy at BetterHelp, you can speak with a licensed therapist via phone, videoconferencing, or live chat at a time that works for you. You can also contact your therapist at any time through in-app messaging, and they’ll respond as soon as they can. This may prove to be useful if you have questions or concerns about caring for your loved one in between sessions.