Symptoms Of Dissociative Fugue

February 20, 2024

Dissociative disorders are highly problematic, and they are often terrifying for individuals who suffer from them as well as those who love them. Dissociative fugue temporarily causes individuals to lose all concept of who they are. They can't recall their own identity. They don't know what they are doing, where they are, and what is going on in their lives. This confusion might not last forever, and it is also very rare for someone to suffer from this. It typically occurs in individuals who experience trauma, severe stress, or exceptional violence. It's also more common following war, abuse, and even a disaster. The problem with this disorder is no one knows when it might occur. It happens suddenly and without warning. However, there are some recognizable symptoms. Reveal the details now.

Memory Loss Or Confusion About Personal Identity

Memory loss or confusion about personal identity is the number one symptom of dissociative fugue. Someone behaving in a confused manner by stating they are not sure who they are or what they are doing, could be a symptom of dissociative fugue. This person might be very confused and seem unsure about what is going on. They may not know their name or where they are from. They will act confused about what they are doing, and most of the individuals who suffer from dissociative fugue will assume a new identity to provide themselves with some comfort during this confusing time. It is very rare for a disorder like this to occur, so it's helpful to know what might cause it to identify the issue quickly and efficiently, with the assistance of a doctor.

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Inability To Recall Events

When someone suffers from dissociative fugue, they are often unable to recall events. This could be minor events such as what they ate for breakfast or even driving their car to work that morning. They are also unable to recall large events such as weddings and even the birth of their baby. It's shocking when someone you love suddenly has no idea who you are or how you met, and it can cause stress and additional confusion. Asking someone to recall some larger events in their life can cause them to feel anxious when their memories aren't there. They might be aware they don't know who they are, but they don't understand what is happening other than that they are losing some of their memory. They might find it difficult to trust those around them, and it can cause extreme distress.

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Extreme Distress

Extreme distress, when it's associated with dissociative fugue, doesn't always subside as the days go on. Some individuals find that not only do they have no idea who they are or what they are doing in life, they also find it difficult to function on a daily basis. Perhaps they aren't sure how to get ready in the morning or what to do when they get home. This kind of confusion and anxiety can cause distress so extreme it's painful to watch. When someone cannot figure out where they live, how to get to work, or even recognize their loved ones, it's more than frustrating. Imagine spending your life unable to recognize everyone around you when they know who you are. Imagine being the only person in your life who has no idea what happened in their life, but everyone else has memories involving them. This is what causes this level of distress.

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Sudden Travel Away From Home

When an individual is dealing with an episode of dissociative fugue, they might suddenly travel away from home. They might find they are too upset to live with their families not knowing anything about them, and they might travel away from home to get away from the pain they feel they are inflicting on their loved ones. Some individuals just disappear without a trace because they aren't with their loved ones or anyone familiar to them when they experience dissociative fugue. This means they're alone, don't know what to do, where to go, or who to talk to, and many individuals are too scared to ask for help. They're afraid of what might happen if they approach a hospital or even the police about this, and they might choose to keep their problems to themselves.

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Issues With Functioning

It's not easy to function when dealing with dissociative fugue. Even the simplest day to day tasks such as showering and getting ready in the morning are difficult. This level of stress is beyond comprehension, and it causes individuals to develop issues with functioning each day. Individuals often feel confused, resulting in pauses in what they are trying to do every so often or even knee-jerk reactions that can injure themselves or others around them. Issues with functioning can also include impaired work activities and issues with relationships of all kinds. Individuals dealing with dissociative fugue and who have issues functioning often look as if they are in a fog the majority of the time.

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