Sometimes people with acute stress disorder or PTSD also have symptoms of dissociation. They may feel confused, have memory gaps, or feel that the world around them is unreal.

In dissociative disorders, these symptoms are much stronger and become the main problem. Also, there are no clear physical causes. In dissociative disorders, parts of memory or identity become separated from each other.

There are different types of dissociative disorders:

•          Dissociative Amnesia – A person cannot remember important personal events or information.

•          Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) – Previously called multiple personality disorder. A person has two or more separate identities, and these identities may not know each other’s memories, thoughts, feelings, or behaviors.

•          Depersonalization-Derealization Disorder – A person feels detached from their own mind or body, or feels like they are watching themselves from the outside.