Counseling Services of Barbara Reade, L.C.P.C.
Bel Air, Maryland 21014

Phone: 410-803-1510

Email: reade.lcpc@yahoo.com

Dissociative Disorders

By Barbara Reade, L.C.P.C., copyright 2000

Dissociative disorders is a range of disorders that can go from mild, in symptom appear, to severe.

Mild dissociativeness is experienced by all human beings in times of excessive stress. The extra absent-mindedness, and lack of memory for recent events, are two examples of this type of dissociativeness.

Moderate dissociativeness is often described as an experience of blankness over a specific time period, or about specific events, that were/are traumatic in nature, to the individual. Through appropriate and ethical therapy work many individuals can begin to recall and re-capture these experiences, and re-capture the parts of their identity that are lost in those blank spaces.

Severe dissociative disorder (DID) is a disorder that used to be referred to as Multiple Personality Disorder. With this problem, people are totally unaware of different aspects of their personality. They not only express blankness during these times, but also have reported to them by others behaviors, attitudes, etc. that they have expressed, that are usually foreign to their 'nature'. It is as if certain parts of their identity are sleeping, until triggered. At this point their normal consciousness changes, and a triggered sleeping part appears in the consciousness and in outward behavior of the individual. The part of the consciousness that usually runs the personality is not operating, therefore, the person appears very different from their 'usual' nature.

In both moderate and severe dissociation, trauma or significant stress 'trigger' either the blankness, or change of personality. Both moderate and severely dissociative individuals suffer from Post Trauma Stress Disorder.

Treatment involves helping individuals learn successful ways to manage their stress reactions. EMDR and specific stress management strategies are most helpful to helping people with these symptoms. Treatment of stress for dissociation is a more intense therapy than standard 'stress management' treatment. It is important, if you do have this disorder, or suspect that you do, that you be evaluated by a specialist in this area to receive appropriate treatment.