What is the Prognosis for Dissociative Disorders?

Dissociative Disorders are complex conditions. This group of disorders typically causes distress, and normally relate to a past traumatic event.

Treatment is available for the various Dissociative Disorders, and in most cases, this will lead to recovery.

The prognosis is largely positive for these conditions, based upon the idea that an individual seeks, and completes, treatment.

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.

Types of Dissociative Disorders

There are three different Dissociative Disorder conditions – Dissociative Identity Disorder, Dissociative Amnesia, and Depersonalisation/Derealisation Disorder. Fortunately, the prognosis for all three conditions is largely positive.

For Dissociative Identity Disorder – also known as Multiple Personality Disorder – the prognosis is generally good. Those no longer in contact with their abusers and without comorbid mental health conditions have a better prognosis than others.

But even in cases where other mental health conditions exist, it is still possible to recover, it may just lengthen the duration. It can, dependent on how many identities are present, take many years to attain a full recovery.

Dissociative Amnesia has a positive prognosis. In general, the patient should see a marked improvement once they’ve accessed treatment.

By processing their past traumatic event, the individual should find they are able to improve their functioning, and that their symptoms lessen significantly. It can however, take considerable time to come to terms with the past.

Finally, Depersonalisation/Derealisation Disorder has a satisfactory to good prognosis. Typically, feelings of either depersonalisation or derealisation can be long-standing. Therefore, it can be difficult to treat.

But, treatment is available for Depersonalisation/Derealisation Disorder, and in many cases will lead to recovery. Again, getting over past traumas can take time, but is possible.

Unfortunately, all Dissociative Disorders can be linked to suicide. Suicidal ideation, self-harm and even suicide attempts (some successful) have been linked to Dissociative Disorders [1].

This is unsurprising – given the potential distress involved in these conditions. This makes accessing treatment even more important.

Talking therapy treatment

But this is contingent on an individual accessing treatment. Typically, when left untreated, these disorders will rarely go away. This is because these conditions normally arise based on a past trauma.

Treatment helps an individual come to terms with this trauma, allowing them to move on with their life. Therefore, by not accessing treatment, an individual with one of these disorders will continue to struggle, and will in the vast majority of cases fail to recover, though exceptions exist.

A form of talking therapy is the main treatment for dissociative disorders. Therefore, when accessing treatment, an individual needs to be fully co-operative with their therapist.

Building up a strong therapist-client relationship is crucial. By not holding anything relevant back from their therapist, an individual should receive the help they need.

Entering treatment with an open mind, exercising regularly, sleeping well and maintaining a healthy diet are all areas that can assist recovery.

Medication can be prescribed if needed. An individual may find their prognosis depends on how well they adapt to medication.

Antidepressants are typically the choice of medicine for Dissociative Disorders – especially when they cause low mood or distress, which is normally a hallmark of these conditions.

Antidepressants take time to work, but should lead to symptoms lessening. The combination of therapy and antidepressants can work successfully.

Summary

In conclusion, Dissociative Disorders are difficult conditions to live with, but recovery is possible. This is dependent on a number of factors however.

Accessing treatment is very important, and should result in an improvement in symptoms. A full recovery is possible, although the trauma-based nature of these disorders can make this difficult to achieve.

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