• Mental Health
    • Anxiety
      • What is Anxiety?
      • Types of Anxiety Disorders
      • Signs & Symptoms of Anxiety
      • Treatments for Anxiety
      • Anxiety Statistics
      • See More Anxiety Content
      • Find an Anxiety Specialist
    • Depression
      • What is Depression?
      • Types of Depression
      • Signs & Symptoms of Depression
      • Treatments for Depression
      • Depression Statistics
      • Find a Depression Specialist
    • Bipolar Disorder
      • What is Bipolar Disorder?
      • Bipolar I vs. Bipolar II
      • Signs & Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder
      • What Are Bipolar Disorder Cycles?
      • Treatments for Bipolar Disorder
      • Find a Bipolar Disorder Specialist
    • ADHD
      • What is ADHD?
      • ADHD Signs & Symptoms
      • ADHD & Depression
      • Find an ADHD Specialist
    • Addiction
      • What is Addiction?
      • What Are Behavioral Addictions?
      • Addiction vs Dependence
      • Addiction Myths vs Facts
      • Addiction Statistics
      • How to Help a Friend
      • Find an Addiction Specialist
    • Eating Disorders
      • Anorexia
      • Bulimia
    • Personality Disorders
      • Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder
        • OCD vs. OCPD
    • Trauma
      • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
        • PTSD & COVID-19
      • Childhood Trauma
    • Sexual Disorders
      • Gender Dysphoria
      • Anorgasmia
      • Female Sexual Arousal Disorder (FSAD)
      • Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD)
      • Premature Ejaculation (PE)
      • Delayed Ejaculation
    • Schizophrenia
  • Therapy Techniques
    • Online Therapy
      • Best Online Therapy
      • Online Therapy for Teens
      • Best LGBTQ Online Therapy
      • Best Online Therapy for Insurance
    • Psychotherapy
    • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
      • CBT for Anxiety
      • CBT for Social Anxiety
      • CBT for Panic Disorder
      • CBT for Insomnia
      • CBT Online
    • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
      • DBT for Teens
    • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
    • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
      • EMDR for PTSD
      • EMDR for Anxiety
      • EMDR Online
    • Art Therapy
    • Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
    • Exposure and Response Prevention
    • Group Therapy
    • Hypnotherapy
    • Motivational Interviewing
    • Person Centered Therapy
    • Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy
    • Sex Therapy
  • Types of Therapists
    • Faith-Based & Christian Counselors
    • Life Coaching
    • Family Therapist
      • Child & Teen Counseling
    • Marriage & Couples Counselors
      • Premarital Counseling
    • Psychiatrist
      • Psychology vs. Psychiatry
    • Psychotherapist
    • Grief Counselors
    • Online Therapists
  • Starting Therapy FAQ
    • Does Therapy Work?
      • How to Find a Therapist
      • Helping a Friend or Loved One
    • How to Choose a Therapist
      • Finding a Black Therapist
      • Finding a Latinx Therapist
      • Finding an LGBTQ-Friendly Therapist
      • Finding a Therapist as a Young Adult
      • Finding an Online Therapist
    • Preparing for Your First Session
    • Types of Mental Health Professionals
    • Mental Health Insurance
      • HSAs for Therapy
      • Sliding Scale Therapy Fees
    • Mental Health in the Workplace
      • Asking for a Mental Health Day
      • Taking Time Off for Mental Health
    • Top Mental Health Organizations
      • Mental Health Resources Outside the U.S.
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • Editorial Policy
    • Advertising Policy
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact Us
    • Write for Us
    • Join the Directory
    • Careers
  • Therapist Directory
    • Find a Therapist
    • Join the Directory
    • Directory Login
  • Mental Health
    • Anxiety
      • What is Anxiety?
      • Types of Anxiety Disorders
      • Signs & Symptoms of Anxiety
      • Treatments for Anxiety
      • Anxiety Statistics
      • See More Anxiety Content
      • Find an Anxiety Specialist
    • Depression
      • What is Depression?
      • Types of Depression
      • Signs & Symptoms of Depression
      • Treatments for Depression
      • Depression Statistics
      • Find a Depression Specialist
    • Bipolar Disorder
      • What is Bipolar Disorder?
      • Bipolar I vs. Bipolar II
      • Signs & Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder
      • What Are Bipolar Disorder Cycles?
      • Treatments for Bipolar Disorder
      • Find a Bipolar Disorder Specialist
    • ADHD
      • What is ADHD?
      • ADHD Signs & Symptoms
      • ADHD & Depression
      • Find an ADHD Specialist
    • Addiction
      • What is Addiction?
      • What Are Behavioral Addictions?
      • Addiction vs Dependence
      • Addiction Myths vs Facts
      • Addiction Statistics
      • How to Help a Friend
      • Find an Addiction Specialist
    • Eating Disorders
      • Anorexia
      • Bulimia
    • Personality Disorders
      • Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder
        • OCD vs. OCPD
    • Trauma
      • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
        • PTSD & COVID-19
      • Childhood Trauma
    • Sexual Disorders
      • Gender Dysphoria
      • Anorgasmia
      • Female Sexual Arousal Disorder (FSAD)
      • Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD)
      • Premature Ejaculation (PE)
      • Delayed Ejaculation
    • Schizophrenia
  • Therapy Techniques
    • Online Therapy
      • Best Online Therapy
      • Online Therapy for Teens
      • Best LGBTQ Online Therapy
      • Best Online Therapy for Insurance
    • Psychotherapy
    • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
      • CBT for Anxiety
      • CBT for Social Anxiety
      • CBT for Panic Disorder
      • CBT for Insomnia
      • CBT Online
    • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
      • DBT for Teens
    • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
    • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
      • EMDR for PTSD
      • EMDR for Anxiety
      • EMDR Online
    • Art Therapy
    • Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
    • Exposure and Response Prevention
    • Group Therapy
    • Hypnotherapy
    • Motivational Interviewing
    • Person Centered Therapy
    • Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy
    • Sex Therapy
  • Types of Therapists
    • Faith-Based & Christian Counselors
    • Life Coaching
    • Family Therapist
      • Child & Teen Counseling
    • Marriage & Couples Counselors
      • Premarital Counseling
    • Psychiatrist
      • Psychology vs. Psychiatry
    • Psychotherapist
    • Grief Counselors
    • Online Therapists
  • Starting Therapy FAQ
    • Does Therapy Work?
      • How to Find a Therapist
      • Helping a Friend or Loved One
    • How to Choose a Therapist
      • Finding a Black Therapist
      • Finding a Latinx Therapist
      • Finding an LGBTQ-Friendly Therapist
      • Finding a Therapist as a Young Adult
      • Finding an Online Therapist
    • Preparing for Your First Session
    • Types of Mental Health Professionals
    • Mental Health Insurance
      • HSAs for Therapy
      • Sliding Scale Therapy Fees
    • Mental Health in the Workplace
      • Asking for a Mental Health Day
      • Taking Time Off for Mental Health
    • Top Mental Health Organizations
      • Mental Health Resources Outside the U.S.
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • Editorial Policy
    • Advertising Policy
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact Us
    • Write for Us
    • Join the Directory
    • Careers
  • Therapist Directory
    • Find a Therapist
    • Join the Directory
    • Directory Login
Skip to content

Dissociative Amnesia: Symptoms, Causes, & Treatments

Published: December 12, 2022 Updated: January 4, 2023
Published: 12/12/2022 Updated: 01/04/2023
Headshot of Renee Skedel, LPC
Written by:

Renee Skedel

LPC
Headshot of Benjamin Troy, MD
Reviewed by:

Heidi Moawad

MD
  • What Is Dissociative Amnesia Disorder?Dissociative Amnesia
  • Dissociative Amnesia vs. AmnesiaDissociative Amnesia vs. Amnesia
  • Dissociative Amnesia SymptomsCommon Symptoms
  • Causes of Dissociative AmnesiaPossible Causes
  • Comorbid ConditionsComorbid Conditions
  • How Is Dissociative Amnesia Diagnosed?How Is It Diagnosed?
  • Treatment for Dissociative AmnesiaTreatment Options
  • How to Help Someone Experiencing Dissociative AmnesiaHow to Help a Loved One
  • Final ThoughtsConclusion
  • Additional ResourcesResources
  • Dissociative Amnesia InfographicsInfographics
Headshot of Renee Skedel, LPC
Written by:

Renee Skedel

LPC
Headshot of Benjamin Troy, MD
Reviewed by:

Heidi Moawad

MD

Dissociative amnesia is a disorder that can be observed by one’s inability to recall personal information; this looks like a loss of autobiographical memory that can impair one’s entire life. Several research studies have observed connections between dissociative amnesia and severe trauma.1 Although treatments for dissociative amnesia are not yet evidence-based, research continues to find therapies that have been found to reduce symptoms.2

Intense trauma can cause amnesia. A therapist can help you remember and recover from trauma. BetterHelp has over 20,000 licensed therapists who provide convenient and affordable online therapy. BetterHelp starts at $60 per week. Complete a brief questionnaire and get matched with the right therapist for you.

Choosing Therapy partners with leading mental health companies and is compensated for referrals by BetterHelp

Visit BetterHelp

What Is Dissociative Amnesia Disorder?

Dissociative amnesia is when a person experiences a significant loss of memory surrounding important personal information. These symptoms of amnesia do not include simple forgetfulness, like not knowing the date. These episodes can begin suddenly and generally last for a short period (e.g., hours or a day) but have also been seen to last for weeks and possibly even years.3

Dissociative amnesia disorder is considered the most common of several dissociative disorders.3 Research completed on a small sample observed dissociative amnesia in about 1.8% of their population (2.6% in females and 1% in males).1,4. Further, the diagnosis of dissociative amnesia is suggested to be lower than the disorder’s actual occurrence.1,4It is important to know that dissociative amnesia does not always cause the same symptoms from person to person.

The American Psychiatric Association notes that dissociative amnesia has several presentations, including:3,4

  • Localized: This type of amnesia is characterized by an inability to recall specific events or periods, creating a memory gap of personal details. These memory gaps can include multiple periods of traumatic events or significant stress.
  • Generalized: This type of amnesia is rare and usually seen in those who have experienced significant stress, such as veterans who have experienced combat and survivors of sexual assault. Generalized amnesia is when people lose memories of their experiences, identity, feelings, and people and places. It is suggested that this amnesia can lead individuals to lose general life skills.
  • Fugue: This type of amnesia is severe, and only .2% of people are diagnosed with it. A dissociative fugue will include memory loss, not recognizing people they formerly knew, unexpected travel, and wandering around in confusion, which can last from hours to months. Sometimes, people will recall their memories after they have started new lives. The ending of these episodes can influence feelings of grief, depression, or shame.

Dissociative Amnesia vs. Amnesia

Dissociative amnesia and medical amnesia are not the same. For dissociative amnesia, a mental health diagnosis is usually diagnosed along with it, ruling out any medical cause on the person’s symptoms and presentation. Research has not conclusively confirmed the connection, but it suggests that the loss of autobiographical memory in dissociative amnesia is connected with severe stress and trauma.5

On the other hand, medical amnesia (i.e., organic, psychogenic, or global) is observed by the sudden onset of general memory loss, not just autobiographical, that can apply to past and recent events. While some may recover memories quickly in global amnesia, other types of medical amnesia can be gradual and symptoms may even come and go.5,6 Further, causes of medical amnesia can be related to physical brain injury or damage.7

Dissociative Amnesia Symptoms

Each type of dissociative amnesia differs, but it is not uncommon for these episodes to happen multiple times.3,4 Lost memories from each can and do return after the episodes of dissociation are over, but not before, causing similar symptoms that present challenges in daily life.

Symptoms of dissociative amnesia can include:1,3

  • Confusion
  • Depressive symptoms 
  • Flashbacks
  • Difficulty in relationships due to memory loss
  • Suicidal thoughts, when memory is suddenly recovered and overwhelming to the individual

Help For Trauma / PTSD

Talk Therapy – Get help recovering from trauma from a licensed therapist. Betterhelp offers online therapy starting at $60 per week. Get matched With A Therapist


Virtual Psychiatry – Get help from a real doctor that takes your insurance. Talkiatry offers medication management and online visits with top-rated psychiatrists. Take the online assessment and have your first appointment within a week. Free Assessment


Guided Psychedelic Journeys – Ketamine is a prescription medication that clinicians can prescribe off-label to treat trauma, depression, anxiety, and OCD. Innerwell pairs ketamine with support from licensed psychotherapists. Find out if you’re a good candidate: Take Online Assessment 

Choosing Therapy partners with leading mental health companies and is compensated for marketing by BetterHelp, Talkiatry, and Innerwell.

Causes of Dissociative Amnesia

Dissociative amnesia is frequently connected with significant trauma and stress. These traumas include significant childhood trauma from physical, sexual, or emotional abuse and significant physical or emotional neglect. Trauma can also be caused by adulthood abuse, surviving a sexual assault, military trauma (combat or non-combat), and even experiencing or witnessing a natural disaster or genocide.1,3,5

In addition to trauma, significant stress or internal conflict may be connected with dissociative amnesia.3 While the cause of stress can differ with each person, internal conflicts could include stress surrounding an interpersonal interaction or fight, a crime, or powerful feelings of guilt. 1

Possible causes of dissociative amnesia can include witnessing or experiencing:1,3,5

  • Severe physical, sexual, or emotional abuse
  • Severe emotional or physical neglect
  • Sexual assault or rape
  • Severe interpersonal conflict and stress
  • Military trauma, especially combat
  • Natural disasters
  • Genocide

Comorbid Conditions

Symptoms of dissociative amnesia and its potential causes can be correlated with other mental health disorders, especially for those who have experienced significant trauma or depressive symptoms due to a fugue.

Conditions that may occur comorbidly with dissociative amnesia include:

  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): Those who experience dissociative amnesia may have experienced significant trauma. Some individuals who experienced dissociative amnesia have reported PTSD flashbacks, and, in addition, some people with DA may go on to be diagnosed with PTSD.1
  • Depression: People can experience several emotions, including depression when coming out of a dissociative amnesia episode.1
  • Anxiety disorders: As the forgotten memories of the trauma return, anxiety levels may be increased, especially if the individual is experiencing flashbacks, eventually leading to comorbid anxiety disorders.5
  • Personality disorders: There have been many clinical observations of a significant correlation between individuals with personality disorder diagnoses and dissociative disorders.8 Most clinicians associate dissociation with cluster B personality disorders (e.g., borderline, narcissistic, histrionic, and antisocial disorders); however, researchers note a correlation between dissociative amnesia episodes and cluster C personality traits (e.g., avoidant, dependent, and obsessive-compulsive disorders).9
  • Substance Use Disorders: Substance use disorders can be seen in some individuals who experience dissociative amnesia. Those who experience dissociative amnesia while abusing substances can experience worsening symptoms due to drug impacts on the brain and other financial and interpersonal stress that accompany it.10
  • Sleep Disorders: Individuals who experience dissociative amnesia can also experience sleep issues (like insomnia and sleepwalking) and mental fatigue.10,11.

How Is Dissociative Amnesia Diagnosed?

A doctor can diagnose dissociative amnesia by considering the criterion set in place by the DSM-5. This criterion includes the individual’s inability to recall important autobiographical information and their symptoms (e.g., memory loss) impairing the individual in several areas of their life (e.g., occupational, social, etc.).3,4 In addition, there cannot be any other influences on this memory loss, such as medical issues, medications, or substance use.

As a doctor needs to rule out medical influences, the doctor will need to conduct testing before making an official diagnosis. They may need to complete psychological assessments and a physical exam to rule out other mental health disorders or medical causes for the reported memory loss. Sometimes a referral to another specialist is needed if it is not their specialty.

A medical professional may use a combination of these methods to diagnose dissociative amnesia:1,3

  • Physical exam: An exam can help rule out any initial physical abnormalities that could influence memory loss.
  • Psychological testing: Psychological assessment helps rule out other psychological influences. In addition, it allows the doctor to gain more information about the types of dissociative symptoms and amnesia.
  • Blood and urine testing: These can help identify potential medical abnormalities (e.g., increased white blood cells). However, they also help rule out any substance-based influence on memory loss.
  • MRI Scans: These can help identify abnormalities in your brain, such as structural differences in memory centers.
  • EEG: This testing helps monitor your brain activity. They can help to rule out potential seizure causes for memory loss.

Treatment for Dissociative Amnesia

While treatment is individualized depending on the severity of someone’s symptoms, talk psychotherapy can help create a safe and trustworthy environment for the individual to work on reconnecting with their memories.3 Dissociative amnesia can be challenging to treat, as there are no current approved evidence-based treatments for dissociative amnesia.2 However, this doesn’t mean that hope is lost.

The goals of these therapies, which can be tailored to each person, can be to increase coping skills to process conflict and stress, reduce amnesia episodes, and begin reconnecting with and reframing traumatic memories.1,3,5 While there are no specific medications to treat dissociative amnesia, sometimes anti-depressants and anti-anxiety medications can help manage symptoms that come from memory loss. People can find a therapist who offers these types of therapy through an online therapist directory.

Therapy methods for treating dissociative amnesia may include:

  • Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): This treatment explores negative and unhealthy thought patterns that can influence unhealthy behaviors and beliefs. By exploring these, people can challenge these thought patterns and learn to engage in healthier thinking. CBT can help address thoughts revolving around their trauma.3,5
  • Eye movement desensitizing and reprocessing (EMDR): This treatment can help reduce negative associations with certain stimuli, such as reminders or triggers of one’s trauma. By neutralizing and reframing how the brain perceives stimuli, EMDR for PTSD can help to process emotions and feelings associated with the traumatic event rather than avoid them.3,5
  • Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT): This treatment helps people to learn how to regulate their emotions and challenge black-and-white thinking. In addition, DBT can also help to reduce the risk of self-harm. This treatment can also be used to treat certain personality traits.3,5
  • Family therapy: This treatment can help family members to identify harmful interactions and to practice healthy communication patterns. In addition, family therapy can help to educate and support the individual(s) experiencing symptoms.5
  • Relaxation techniques: These techniques (such as progressive muscle relaxation) are often combined with other therapies to help provide coping skills and reduce anxiety. They can also help increase self-awareness and ground people, which can be helpful for those who experience dissociation from flashbacks or night terrors.5
  • Hypnosis: Although riskier due to the potential of bringing up traumatic memories,  hypnotherapy can be used to retrieve lost memories.3

How to Help Someone Experiencing Dissociative Amnesia

Experiencing dissociative amnesia can be difficult, disorienting, and significantly impact an individual’s life. It can be concerning and scary to see a loved one experience dissociative amnesia, especially if they are in a fugue. Rather than avoiding interaction with them, there are ways you can help your loved one in their journey.

Five ways you can help your loved one experiencing dissociative amnesia include:

  1. Don’t take it personally: Seeing a loved one not remember your shared history can be upsetting. Reminding yourself that your loved one is experiencing an amnesia episode and that they may struggle to stabilize and recover when it is over can help you put things into perspective.
  2. Offer encouragement and support: While this can look different for each person, knowing they have your support can be helpful. Support can look like maintaining healthy boundaries, encouraging treatment attendance, or even helping access treatment.
  3. Be open to working on your shared relationship: As one can imagine, the loved ones of someone experiencing amnesia may feel estranged, frustrated, or angry. Allow yourself and your loved one grace, within a healthy boundary, to approach the new relationship with an open mind and to communicate concerns.
  4. Engage in activities together: By engaging in healthy activities together, you will both be able to access a relaxed environment that can allow for positive communication.
  5. Attend therapy with them: Attending sessions with your loved one can help provide missing information, foster communication surrounding the symptoms, and allow them a supportive space to discuss their concerns.

Final Thoughts

Experiencing and living with dissociative amnesia may carry many complex emotions, including frustration and depression. Thankfully, you are not alone; others had come before and managed to reconnect with who they once were. Suppose you think you may be experiencing dissociative amnesia. In that case, seeking therapy and building a treatment team with your support system can help you stabilize and recover. There are resources and support groups for those experiencing these symptoms and those whose loved ones are experiencing them.

Additional Resources

Education is just the first step on our path to improved mental health and emotional wellness. To help our readers take the next step in their journey, Choosing Therapy has partnered with leaders in mental health and wellness. Choosing Therapy may be compensated for marketing by the companies mentioned below.

Online Therapy 

BetterHelp – Get support and guidance from a licensed therapist. BetterHelp has over 20,000 therapists who provide convenient and affordable online therapy.  Complete a brief questionnaire and get matched with the right therapist for you. Get Started

Virtual Psychiatry

Talkiatry – Get help from a real doctor that takes your insurance. Talkiatry offers medication management and online visits with top-rated psychiatrists. Take the online assessment and have your first appointment within a week. Free Assessment

Mindfulness

Mindfulness.com – Change your life by practicing mindfulness. In a few minutes a day, you can start developing mindfulness and meditation skills. Free Trial

Guided Psychedelic Journeys

Innerwell – Ketamine is a prescription medication that clinicians can prescribe off-label to treat trauma, depression, anxiety, and OCD. Innerwell pairs ketamine with support from licensed psychotherapists. Find out if you’re a good candidate: Take Online Assessment 

Choosing Therapy Directory 

You can search for therapists by specialty, experience, insurance, or price, and location. Find a therapist today.

Choosing Therapy partners with leading mental health companies and is compensated for marketing by BetterHelp, Talkiatry, Innerwell, and Mindfulness.com

For Further Reading

  • Mental Health America
  • National Alliance on Mental Health
  • MentalHealth.gov
  • International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation, ISSTD
  • Dissociative Disorders | NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness
  • PTSD Dissociation: Why It Happens & How to Heal

Dissociative Amnesia Infographics

What is Dissociative Amnesia Disorder?   Dissociative Amnesia Symproms   Treatment for Dissociative Amnesia

11 sources

Choosing Therapy strives to provide our readers with mental health content that is accurate and actionable. We have high standards for what can be cited within our articles. Acceptable sources include government agencies, universities and colleges, scholarly journals, industry and professional associations, and other high-integrity sources of mental health journalism. Learn more by reviewing our full editorial policy.

  • Spiegel, D. (2022). Dissociative Amnesia. Merck Manuals Professional Edition. Retrieved from https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/psychiatric-disorders/dissociative-disorders/dissociative-amnesia

  • Staniloiu, A., & Markowitsch, H. J. (2014). Dissociative amnesia. The Lancet Psychiatry, 1(3), 226–241. https://doi.org/10.1016/s2215-0366(14)70279-2

  • Leong, S., Waits, W., & Diebold, C. (2006). Dissociative Amnesia and DSM-IV-TR Cluster C Personality Traits. Psychiatry (Edgmont (Pa. : Township)), 3(1), 51–55.

  • McNally, R. J. (2007). Dispelling Confusion About Traumatic Dissociative Amnesia. Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 82(9), 1083–1087. https://doi.org/10.4065/82.9.1083 

  • Dissociative Amnesia: Symptoms, Causes, Management & Treatment. (n.d.). Cleveland Clinic. Retrieved from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9789-dissociative-amnesia

  • Hafizi, S., & Afolabi, B. (2021). Generalized Dissociative Amnesia Versus Transient Global Amnesia. The Primary Care Companion for CNS Disorders, 23(2). https://doi.org/10.4088/pcc.20l02631

  • McNally, R. J. (2007). Dispelling Confusion About Traumatic Dissociative Amnesia. Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 82(9), 1083–1087. https://doi.org/10.4065/82.9.1083

  • Johnson, J., et al. (2006). Dissociative disorders among adults in the community, impaired functioning, and axis I and II comorbidity. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 40(2), 131–140. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychires.2005.03.003

  • Stephanie, L., Wendi, W., & Carroll, D. (2006). Dissociative Amnesia and DSM-IV-TR Cluster C Personality Traits. Psychiatry (Edgmont), 3(1), 51–55. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2990548/

  • Treatment for Dissociative Amnesia and Substance Abuse. (2022, September 12). American Addiction Centers. Retrieved from https://americanaddictioncenters.org/dissociative-disorders/amnesia-substance-abuse-treat

  • Schenck, C. H., et al. (2021). Sleep-related (psychogenic) dissociative disorders as parasomnias associated with a psychiatric disorder: update on reported cases. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, 17(4), 803–810. https://doi.org/10.5664/jcsm.9048

Recent Articles

ADHD & Trauma: Symptoms, Overlap, & Treatment
ADHD & Trauma: Symptoms, Overlap, & Treatment
Both ADHD and trauma are common, so many people may experience them together. These conditions share overlapping symptoms, and...
';
Financial Trauma_ Symptoms_ Causes_ _ How to Cope
Financial Trauma: Symptoms, Causes, & How to Cope
Financial trauma refers to the emotional, cognitive, relational, and physical symptoms triggered by significant financial stressors. These stressors can...
';
Parental Alienation Syndrome
Parental Alienation Syndrome: What it Is and 10 Signs to Watch For
Parental Alienation Syndrome (PAS) refers to instances in which a parent creates a barrier between their child and the...
';
Parentification
Parentification: What Is a Parentified Child?
Parentification occurs when a child is given emotional and household tasks that are not age-appropriate. This happens because one...
';
The 3 Stages of Trauma Recovery
The 3 Stages of Trauma Recovery
Survivors of trauma have been shown to heal in three stages, during which they work to re-establish their sense...
';
Betrayal Trauma: Signs, Recovery & Getting Help
Betrayal Trauma: Signs, Recovery & Getting Help
Betrayal trauma refers to the trauma that occurs, and the emotional distress that is caused, when a person is...
';
Headshot of Renee Skedel, LPC
Written by:

Renee Skedel

LPC
Headshot of Benjamin Troy, MD
Reviewed by:

Heidi Moawad

MD
  • What Is Dissociative Amnesia Disorder?Dissociative Amnesia
  • Dissociative Amnesia vs. AmnesiaDissociative Amnesia vs. Amnesia
  • Dissociative Amnesia SymptomsCommon Symptoms
  • Causes of Dissociative AmnesiaPossible Causes
  • Comorbid ConditionsComorbid Conditions
  • How Is Dissociative Amnesia Diagnosed?How Is It Diagnosed?
  • Treatment for Dissociative AmnesiaTreatment Options
  • How to Help Someone Experiencing Dissociative AmnesiaHow to Help a Loved One
  • Final ThoughtsConclusion
  • Additional ResourcesResources
  • Dissociative Amnesia InfographicsInfographics
If you are in need of immediate medical help:
Medical
Emergency
911
Suicide Hotline
800-273-8255
See more Crisis Hotlines
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Write for Us
  • Careers
  • Editorial Policy
  • Advertising Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • No Surprises Act
For immediate help call:
Medical Emergency:
911
Suicide Hotline:
988
Click For More Crisis Hotlines
For immediate help call:
Medical Emergency:
911
Suicide Hotline:
811
See more Crisis Hotlines
here
logo
This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information:
verify here.
This website is certified by Health On the Net Foundation. Click to verify.
Choosing Therapy Logo
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit Cookie Settings to provide controlled consent. Cookie settings ACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

We use cookies to facilitate website functionality. Also, we use third-party cookies to track your website behavior and target advertising. These cookies are stored in your browser only with your consent, and you have the choice of opting out.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Non Necessary

Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.

Save & Accept