Overview

• Includes several forms of psychogenic memory loss

• Generalized vs. localized or selective type

• May involve dissociative fugue

  • During the amnestic episode, person travels or wanders, sometimes assuming a new identity in a different place

  • Unable to remember how or why one has ended up in a new place

  • Ex: Three faces of Eve

DSM-5 Criteria

• A. An inability to recall important autobiographical information, usually of a traumatic or stressful nature, that is inconsistent with ordinary forgetting.

  • Note: Dissociative amnesia most often consists of localized or selective amnesia for a specific event or events; or generalized amnesia for identity and life history.

• B. The symptoms cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.

• C. The disturbance is not attributable to the physiological effects of a substance or a neurological or other medical condition.

• D. The disturbance is not better explained by dissociative identity disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, acute stress disorder, somatic symptom disorder, or major or mild neurocognitive disorder.

• Specify if:

  • With dissociative fugue: Apparently purposeful travel or bewildered wandering that is associated with amnesia for identity or for other important autobiographical information.

Statistics

• Prevalence: 2 to 7%

• Usually begin in adulthood

• Rarely appear in childhood or late adulthood

• Show rapid onset and dissipation

• Causes

  • Little is known

  • Trauma and stress can serve as triggers

• Most recover/remember without treatment