What we treat
Dissociative disorders
Our therapists use trauma-informed approaches to support women living with dissociative disorders, whether that means feeling detached from your body, watching life as if it isn't real, or losing stretches of time. Ask a question to learn how our virtual care can help.
How are dissociative disorders diagnosed?
Dissociative disorders are identified through a careful clinical assessment with a licensed professional. You'll talk through the gaps in memory, the feeling of being detached from yourself or your surroundings, and how long these experiences have been happening. Your health history, past trauma and any other conditions are part of the conversation, since dissociative symptoms often overlap with anxiety, depression, PTSD and borderline personality disorder.
How does Femme Health support dissociative disorders?
Care starts with a personal intake in a space where you're believed, not questioned. Dissociative experiences are often dismissed or misunderstood, so our team begins from respect and curiosity.
The first work is stability and safety: learning to notice your triggers, stay grounded in the present, and care for yourself when you feel detached or overwhelmed.
You're paired with a primary therapist for individual sessions and can join clinician-led virtual groups with women who understand what this feels like. Psychiatric medication management is available when clinically appropriate, and your care advocate helps with scheduling, costs and next steps.
Therapy options
Approaches that can help
Internal family systems (IFS)
IFS works with the different parts of your inner experience, listening to each one without judgment.
Over time, this can ease internal conflict and help you feel more centered and connected to yourself.
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) skills
DBT teaches practical skills for staying mindful, tolerating distress and managing intense emotions.
These skills can help you feel steadier when you notice yourself drifting or detaching.
Learn moreMindfulness and grounding practices
Grounding practices bring your attention back to your body and the room when the world feels unreal or far away.
With practice, they can make it easier to come back to the present on your own.
Learn moreCommon questions about dissociative disorders
What are dissociative disorders?+
Dissociative disorders involve a disconnection or fragmentation in consciousness, memory, identity or the sense of what's real. That can bring memory gaps, confusion about who you are, or feeling detached from your body or your surroundings. They are treatable, and most are rooted in trauma.
What are the main signs and symptoms of dissociative disorders?+
Signs can include:
- Depersonalization: feeling detached from your own body, thoughts or emotions
- Derealization: the world feeling unreal, dreamlike or distorted
- Amnesia: significant gaps in memory for events or periods of time
- Identity confusion: not knowing who you are, or feeling like distinct parts
- Emotional disturbances: intense, rapid changes in mood
If you're having thoughts of harming yourself, call or text 988 or call 911 right away.
What are the main types of dissociative disorders?+
The main types include:
- Dissociative identity disorder (DID): two or more distinct identity states that affect behavior, consciousness and memory
- Dissociative amnesia: significant memory gaps, often tied to trauma, not explained by another medical condition
- Depersonalization-derealization disorder: repeated experiences of feeling detached from yourself or from the world
- Other specified dissociative disorder (OSDD): significant dissociative symptoms that don't meet full criteria for the above
- Unspecified dissociative disorder: dissociative symptoms are present without fitting one clear category
How common are dissociative disorders?+
They're generally considered less common than many other mental health conditions. Dissociative identity disorder and depersonalization-derealization disorder are each estimated to affect around 1% of the population at most, and they're likely underdiagnosed because the symptoms overlap with other conditions.
What causes dissociative disorders?+
Common factors include:
- A history of severe trauma, including childhood abuse, physical or sexual abuse, emotional neglect or witnessing violence
- Disruptions in early attachment, or a lack of a secure emotional bond with caregivers
- Genetics and family history
- Personality traits such as being highly suggestible or relying on dissociative coping
- Ongoing, high levels of stress or several stressors at once
Dissociation usually begins as a way of coping with something overwhelming. It's not a personal failing, and it's not something you're choosing.
Ready to take the first step?
Get startedThis page is general information, not medical advice. In crisis? Call or text 988, or call 911.