If you have a dissociative disorder, you are not alone

As many as 10% of people worldwide will have a dissociative disorder in their lifetime.

Famous people with dissociative disorders:

  • Adam Duritz
  • AnnaLynne McCord
  • Herschel Walker

People with dissociation say it feels like

  • “I’m cut off from everything and everyone around me”
  • “I’m not sure what’s real anymore. Did I say that? Did I do that task? Who knows?”
  • “Watching myself inside of a movie”
  • “Like I’m lagging a few seconds behind the rest of the world”
  • “I’m in a body, but the body isn’t mine, and my brain is trying to connect with my body, but the signal keeps getting lost”

Signs and symptoms of dissociative disorders

People who have dissociative disorders may have all or some of the following signs and symptoms:

  • Out-of-body experiences
  • Feeling like you’re a different person sometimes
  • Feeling emotionally numb or detached
  • Having an altered sense of time
  • Trouble remembering personal details
  • Forgetfulness about things you’ve said or done

Types of dissociative disorders

  • Dissociative identity disorder
  • Dissociative amnesia
  • Depersonalization / Derealization disorder
  • Other specified dissociative disorder
  • Unspecified dissociative disorder

Dissociative disorders are not

  • Made up. Research has confirmed the existence of dissociative disorders and studies are uncovering more about how to properly identify symptoms. Failure to recognize the existence of dissociative disorders only prevents individuals from receiving effective treatment.
  • Always like the movies. TV or movie portrayals of dissociative disorders are often exaggerated or made up entirely for entertainment, shock, or horror. Not only does this create confusion about the reality of these disorders, but it also adds to the stigma toward individuals living with these conditions.
  • Inherently violent. This is a common misconception, but people with dissociative disorders are no more likely to be violent than the general population – but they are more likely to experience abuse and violence.

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If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. You can also reach Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741.