Treatment for Dissociative Disorders

Living with dissociative disorders can be confusing and isolating. You may find yourself losing chunks of time or feeling disconnected from your thoughts, feelings, or even your own body. Sometimes it feels as though parts of your experience are happening to someone else. These experiences often make it hard to explain what you are going through to the people around you, and that can leave you feeling very alone.

At Peace Valley Recovery, we understand the unique challenges that come with dissociative disorders. Our trauma-informed care is designed to support you in regaining a sense of connection with yourself and the world. If you or someone you love is struggling, you do not have to face it alone.

Call us today at (267) 263-7378 or contact us online to start the journey toward healing.

What Are Dissociative Disorders?

Dissociative disorders involve disruptions in memory, identity, perception, or awareness that interfere with everyday functioning.

These disruptions usually develop as a way to cope with overwhelming stress or trauma, especially during childhood. They are not signs of weakness or personal failure. Instead, they are a protective response by the mind to experiences that feel too painful or frightening to fully process at the time.

Many people experience mild dissociation occasionally, such as daydreaming or losing track of time. Dissociative disorders, however, involve more severe symptoms that persist and affect your daily life, relationships, and sense of self. You might struggle to remember important personal information, feel emotionally numb, or sense that your identity is fragmented.

Types of Dissociative Disorders

There are three main types of dissociative disorders, each with distinct features but all involving disruptions in consciousness and identity:

Dissociative Amnesia

This disorder involves memory loss beyond typical forgetfulness, often related to stressful or traumatic events. Sometimes, it includes dissociative fugue, where a person unexpectedly travels away from home and cannot recall their identity or past.

Although precise prevalence rates are hard to establish, dissociative amnesia is considered one of the more common dissociative disorders. Prevalence rates of this condition are estimated between 0.4 and 7.3 percent.

Depersonalization/Derealization Disorder

Individuals with this condition frequently feel detached from their own body or mind (depersonalization) or experience the world around them as unreal or dreamlike (derealization). These feelings can be distressing and interfere with everyday activities. Research suggests that about one to two percent of people experience this disorder in their lifetime.

Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)

DID, once known as multiple personality disorder, is characterized by the presence of two or more distinct identity states. Each identity may have its own way of thinking and behaving. DID often arises after prolonged trauma in early childhood. It is estimated to affect roughly 1.5 percent of the global population, similar in prevalence to schizophrenia.

While these disorders differ, they share the common experience of the mind’s attempt to protect itself by creating distance from reality or oneself.

What Causes Dissociative Disorders?

Dissociative disorders most often develop after exposure to severe trauma, especially during formative years. Physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, neglect, or other overwhelming experiences during childhood increase the risk of developing dissociation as a coping mechanism.

When trauma feels impossible to escape, the mind may create separation between parts of the experience or between the self and the world. This defense can help a person survive unbearable pain at the moment. However, over time, this protective mechanism can interfere with memory, identity, and emotional regulation.

Research shows a strong link between childhood trauma and dissociative disorders. A study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry found that up to 90 percent of people diagnosed with DID reported severe childhood abuse or neglect. Understanding this connection is key to compassionate and effective treatment.

Recognizing the Signs and Symptoms

Dissociative disorders can present with a wide range of symptoms that affect the mind and body. Some common signs include:

• Memory loss for personal information or events
• Feeling detached from thoughts, feelings, or body sensations
• Experiences of time loss or “blackouts”
• Sudden mood swings or changes in behavior and preferences
• Feeling like an outside observer of your own life
• Difficulty maintaining relationships, jobs, or daily responsibilities
• Emotional numbness or feeling disconnected from others

Physical symptoms related to chronic stress may also occur, such as headaches, fatigue, or digestive problems. Many people with dissociative disorders also experience anxiety, depression, or symptoms of post-traumatic stress.

These symptoms often worsen during times of stress or after exposure to reminders of trauma. It is important to know that these experiences are not signs of personal weakness but rather the mind’s efforts to protect itself.

How Dissociative Disorders Affect Daily Life

Living with a dissociative disorder can significantly affect your ability to function. You may struggle with concentration, forget important details, or feel detached during conversations or routine activities. This can make work and social situations very challenging.

Many people develop avoidance behaviors to protect themselves from triggers that intensify dissociation. For example, they may withdraw from social events or avoid thinking about painful memories. While these behaviors can reduce distress temporarily, they often lead to increased isolation and can worsen symptoms.

The effects are not only emotional but physical as well. The chronic stress caused by dissociation can disrupt sleep, weaken the immune system, and contribute to other health issues. Over time, these factors make it harder to feel motivated or hopeful.

Peace Valley Recovery’s Treatment Approach

At Peace Valley Recovery, we understand that recovering from dissociative disorders takes time and requires an environment built on safety and trust. Our treatment programs offer structured guidance while honoring your individual healing rhythm.

The Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) provides intensive support through six-hour sessions, five days a week, for those who need comprehensive care but prefer to return home each evening.

For individuals managing work or family obligations, our Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) delivers flexible treatment options with sessions lasting approximately three hours, available three to five days weekly, including evening hours to accommodate your lifestyle.

Both programs begin with a detailed evaluation to create a personalized plan that meets your unique needs and supports steady progress.

Evidence-Based Therapies

Our treatment combines a variety of therapeutic approaches proven effective for dissociative disorders:

• Individual Therapy: One-on-one sessions allow you to explore trauma and dissociation safely. Therapists may use trauma-focused therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), or Internal Family Systems (IFS), which helps integrate fragmented parts of self.
• Group Therapy: Sharing experiences with others who understand can reduce isolation and provide mutual encouragement.
• Family Therapy: This supports rebuilding relationships and educating loved ones on how to assist your recovery.
• Holistic Therapies: Mindfulness, yoga, art, and music therapy support nervous system regulation and emotional expression, complementing clinical treatment.

What to Expect in Treatment

Early treatment focuses on creating a sense of safety and stability. You will learn grounding skills to manage dissociation and identify triggers.

Recovery is often nonlinear. Some days will be easier than others. The goal is not to erase memories but to regain control and improve your quality of life.

Your treatment team will adjust your plan as needed, supporting you through setbacks and progress alike.

Medication and Medical Support

No medications specifically target dissociative disorders. However, some individuals benefit from medication for co-occurring symptoms such as anxiety, depression, or sleep disturbances.

Any medication is carefully prescribed and monitored in conjunction with therapy.

If you are in recovery from substance use, medication choices are made thoughtfully to avoid interference with your overall recovery.