Dissociative fugue is a dissociative disorder characterized by sudden travel from home and amnesia, often triggered by trauma. It requires a history of patterned behavior for diagnosis and is treated with psychotherapy and medication. Those with dissociative fugue may assume a new identity and demonstrate destructive behaviors. Treatment involves hypnosis and cognitive and creative art therapies.
Dissociative fugue is considered a prominent presentation of dissociative disorder characterized by an individual’s sudden or unexpected travel from home. Individuals with this form of dissociative disorder often exhibit varying degrees of amnesia following a fugue episode that can last anywhere from a few hours to several days. Often triggered by a distressing event, dissociative fugues are usually treated with the application of psychotherapy and may involve the administration of psychiatric medications, including antidepressants.
An individual with dissociative fugue should not be considered a simulacrum. There is no intention on the part of the dissociated individual to avoid her responsibilities or to purposely neglect her personal relationships. A dissociative fugue is a spontaneous event often triggered by intense feelings of anxiety, loss of control, stress, or fear associated with a traumatic experience.
Dissociative fugue is one of those psychiatric disorders that generally require a history of patterned behavior before a diagnosis can be confirmed. Commonly retroactive in its application, a diagnosis is generally made when an individual’s behavioral and psychiatric histories meet established criteria as determined by the American Psychological Association and presented in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). Psychiatric therapists and professionals generally use a variety of additional tools, including hypnosis, to help verify a diagnosis in a clinical setting.
A diagnosis of this type of dissociative disorder can also be made through conversations with an individual who demonstrates confusion or distorted perception while in the midst of a suspected fugue state. Often, the confusion associated with a dissociative fugue requires medical attention during which the individual’s symptoms can be evaluated. After an initial examination and conversation with the individual, a psychiatric examination may be administered to further evaluate their psychological state.
Individuals with dissociative fugue have generally experienced some sort of trauma, such as being the victim of a violent crime or witnessing a natural disaster. Those who have experienced long-term abuse, including emotional and physical abuse, are thought to possess a greater vulnerability to developing dissociative fugue. In some cases, the severity of the trauma can also influence the intensity and frequency of fugue episodes.
Often detached from his environment, a dissociated individual will often assume a new identity during his travels; taking on a new name, personal history, or occupation with no inclination to identity that he has left behind. The individual behaves as if the newfound identity were the one he has always possessed. Many people with dissociative disorders also demonstrate some degree of amnesia after fugue, such as an inability to remember their previous identity or the events leading up to the fugue. Additionally, individuals with dissociative fugue may demonstrate an inclination toward destructive or unhealthy behaviors.
It is not uncommon for individuals with dissociative symptoms to experience difficulties developing and maintaining personal and professional relationships. An inability to function under pressure or cope with stress can trigger fugue episodes that can compromise an individual’s professional obligations. Some who are diagnosed with dissociative disorder may also develop secondary conditions, including trouble sleeping, chronic depression, and anxiety. Depending on the severity of the trauma, some may be at a higher risk of developing chemical dependency problems or suicidal tendencies.
Psychotherapy is the most common treatment approach for dissociative disorders and generally involves the application of various forms of therapy as well as the administration of psychiatric medications. Individuals often undergo hypnosis to piece together the often fragmentary details of their fugue episodes, including the days leading up to and following the flight. Common approaches to the therapeutic aspect of treatment involve the use of cognitive and creative art therapies.
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