Dissociative disorders are a group of mental health conditions characterized by disruptions or discontinuities in an individual's normal sense of self, identity, or consciousness. These disruptions may cause a person to feel as if they are outside of their body or observing themselves from a distance, experience memory loss or confusion, or have a sense of detachment from their surroundings. Dissociative disorders may be caused by traumatic events or severe stress, and can significantly impact an individual's ability to function in daily life.
Therapy can be helpful in treating dissociative disorders by providing a safe and supportive environment to explore and address underlying psychological issues. One of the most common approaches is psychotherapy, which can help individuals gain insight into their experiences and develop coping strategies to manage symptoms. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) may also be used to help individuals identify and challenge negative thought patterns that contribute to dissociation. Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy has been found to be effective for dissociative disorders related to traumatic experiences, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
