Dissociative Disorder

periods of detachment from self or surrounding which may be experienced as "unreal" (lacking in control of or "outside of" self) while retaining awareness that this is only a feeling and not a reality.

(formerly psychogenic amnesia): the temporary loss of recall memory, specifically episodic memory, due to a traumatic or stressful event. It is considered the most common dissociative disorder amongst those documented. This disorder can occur abruptly or gradually and may last minutes to years depending on the severity of the trauma and the patient.

(formerly psychogenic fugue): reversible amnesia for personal identity, usually involving unplanned travel or wandering, sometimes accompanied by the establishment of a new identity. This state is typically associated with stressful life circumstances and can be short or lengthy.

(formerly multiple personality disorder): the alternation of two or more distinct personality states with impaired recall among personality states. In extreme cases, the host personality is unaware of the other, alternating personalities; however, the alternate personalities are aware of all the existing personalities.

used for forms of pathological dissociation that do not fully meet the criteria of the other specified dissociative disorders.

sudden and extreme changes in sensory and motor control. Frequently reported in less industrialized countries. Sudden anxiety, bodily shaking, hyperventilization, screaming (unintelligible), agitation,violent body movements. collapse, transient loss of consciousness, fatigue and confusion. "Possession trance" is similar - assumption of a distinct and alternative identity presumed to be that of a deity, or spirit.