How Can Dissociative Disorders Be Treated?

Dissociative Disorders can have a profound effect, often causing confusion, distress and a plethora of unanswered questions. Despite their debilitating effect, treatment is available.

With the right treatment and support, a full recovery is possible. There are three types of Dissociative Disorders – each of which are treated primarily by some form of talking therapy. On occasion, medication can be used.

What are Dissociative Disorders?

Dissociative Disorders: Dissociative Disorders are conditions characterised by problems with memory, perception, identity, behaviour and awareness. There are both physical and psychological symptoms due to the disorders. These conditions can be either short-lived or long-lasting. Regardless of duration, these disorders can cause significant distress and impair the lives of those with the condition in many ways. With the right treatment and support, full recovery is possible.

Dissociative Disorders Treatment

The exact treatment plan depends on the individual circumstances of the person with the disorder, and the symptoms they are displaying.

A mental health professional will be able to put together a treatment plan. The type of disorder present will influence this.

Treatment is tailored to the individual, though certain forms of talking therapy have high success rates with certain forms of Dissociative disorders.  

Talking Therapy

There are a wide range of talking therapies that can be used to treat Dissociative Disorders, with certain therapies effective in cases of certain disorders.

The aim of any form of talking therapy is to allow an individual to gain control over their dissociation. Specific objectives are dependent on which type of dissociative disorder is present. Therapy can be either short-term or long-term, dependent on circumstance.

Psychoanalytical Psychotherapy: Psychoanalytical Psychotherapy is a talking therapy that aims to help uncover and resolve unconscious beliefs that cause psychiatric conditions. Traumatic experiences that may or may not be buried in the unconscious mind can be highlighted and processed. Psychoanalytical psychotherapy involves talking to a trained therapist. The therapist can show the individual how early memories and past traumas have affected their thinking, behaviour and attitude in the modern day. Psychoanalytical psychotherapy is especially useful for any condition that involves past trauma. Renowned neurologist Sigmund Freud developed this therapy, which is typically completed over a long-term basis.

Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR): While more of a newer treatment, EMDR is an exciting intervention that has helped many people cope with trauma-based conditions. This therapy involves an individual moving their eyes from side-to-side, with the therapist directing their eye movements. During this, the individual recalls their traumatic experience. EMDR is believed to help an individual change how they think about the traumatic event, with the therapist aiming to facilitate change.

Arts Therapy: Arts and creative therapy (also known as expressive arts therapy, creative arts therapy, expressive therapies etc) can help people find a way to express their thoughts and feelings in an easier way. This type of therapy involves an individual creating art, an object or piece of music, which can normally be used by a therapist to link to certain problems. Arts therapy can be a good alternative to talking therapy if needed.

Jungian Therapy: Also known as Jungian analysis, this therapy is based on Carl Jung’s theory on the mind. The aim of this therapy is to bring the conscious and unconscious parts of the mind together, which should lead to a more balanced state of mind. It can be used for a variety of conditions. The therapy tries to look at the real person, rather than the person seen by the outside world. The therapist will use different techniques to elicit responses.

There are a range of other types of talking therapy, aside from the above.

Medication

No specific medication is licensed to treat dissociation. However, if an individual experiences low mood, depression, anxiety or panic attacks as part of their symptoms, it is possible for antidepressants to be prescribed.

Antipsychotics at a low dose could also feasibly be prescribed. Disappointingly, neither antidepressants nor antipsychotics have proven to be markedly helpful in the treatment of Dissociative disorders [1].

On occasions where memory gaps haven’t been filled, the medication Pentothal can be used. Pentothal is a barbiturate.

Antidepressants: Antidepressants can help to improve and regulate mood. They should improve motivation and restore energy. SSRI Antidepressants are the most commonly prescribed. They act on the brain chemical serotonin – which is thought to help in regulating mood and emotion. They may include side-effects such as a dry mouth, sexual problems and nausea, though these should hopefully be short-term. Other classes of antidepressants are available in the event of an inadequate reaction.

Antipsychotics: Antipsychotics (also known as neuroleptics) block the effect of dopamine – a chemical in the brain that is heavily linked to psychotic symptoms like hallucinations. They can also be useful for stabilising mood, and treating anxiety. They are not suitable for everyone however, and are often associated with many side effects like weight gain, dizziness and dry mouth.

Barbiturates: Barbiturates are a class of sedatives that result in brain functioning decreasing, and a calming effect. Sodium Pentothal is a well-known barbiturate. By decreasing brain functioning, this can lead to an individual freely talking about something which they may often keep withheld, making them useful in the treatment of Dissociative Disorders. 

Other

Hospitalisation is very rare for Dissociative disorders. However, those who are in a traumatic or severely depressed state, may require hospitalisation – especially if it is best for their own safety for them to be in a controlled environment. However, these are normally only short-term stays.

Summary

Dissociative Disorders are very difficult to live with. Fortunately, there are many treatment options, underpinned by talking therapy, which can lead to improvements in symptoms.

In many cases, a full recovery is possible. This should always be the aim, with a better quality of life hopefully achievable.

See Also

1. Dissociative Disorders: Everything You Need to Know
2. What Are The Different Types of Dissociative Disorders?
3. What Are The Symptoms of Dissociative Disorders?
4. What Are The Causes of Dissociative Disorders?
5. How Are Dissociative Disorders Diagnosed?
6. How Can Dissociative Disorders Be Treated?
7. What is the Prognosis for Dissociative Disorders?
8. 10 Tips for Living With Dissociative Disorders