• Skip Navigation
• About Valor
  • About Valor
  • Our Name
  • Our Vision & Mission
  • Our Values
  • ValorNet Concepts
  • Use of Our Materials
  • Privacy Statements
• Understanding Dissociation
  • Introduction
  • Dissociative Disorders
• What's New
  • What's New
  • Upcoming Events
  • New Net Partners
  • ISST-D News
  • Industry News
• The Gift of Therapy
  • The Gift of Therapy
  • A Path for Therapy
  • General Therapy Stages
  • Seeking Change
  • Interviewing a Therapist
  • Search for a Therapist
• Get Involved
  • Get Involved!
  • Refer a Colleague
  • Join a Peer Network
  • Join TAPS (Therapists)
  • Join NetCare or NetBiz
  • Be a NetVolunteer
  • Give NetHope
• Request Information

Understanding Dissociative Disorders

• Introduction
• Dissociative Disorders

The Dissociative Spectrum

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

A normal response to traumatic events or traumatic stress. The traumatic stressor can cause changes in physical, mental, emotional and spiritual aspects of self and self-expression (behaviors). Symptoms can include, but are not limited to: flashbacks (vivid recall or re-experiencing of a past traumatic event), emotional numbing or inability to feel a normal range of emotion, increased sensitivity or alertness to their environment or a combination of these responses.

Depersonalization Disorder

A dissociative disorder in which an individual has persistent and recurring experiences of feeling as if he or she is living in haze or dream-like state without experiencing a connection to their present environment or their personal state of being. Some clients report experiencing a sense of self-observation, observing self but not really attached or connected to self or the environment.

Some Types of Borderline Personality Disorder

A personality disorder that can involve a complex, diverse set of symptoms often characterized by a disturbance in sense of self identity, patterns of impulsive behaviors toward others and self, and an instability in relationships.

Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder generally comprises three core symptoms including: hypersensitivity to one’s environment, intrusive flashbacks or re-experiencing the past, and emotional numbing or distancing from self. Complex PTSD is a more extensive response to trauma and can include alterations in one’s ability to form and maintain relationships (attachment disorder), damage to one’s sense of self and meaning and one’s sense of faith or belief systems. The damage from such trauma can be invasive in terms of one’s overall sense of self and personality structure.

Dissociative Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (DDNOS)

Disorders in which dissociation is the primary symptom, but symptoms are generally not specific enough to meet the diagnostic criteria for any of the other dissociative disorder categories.

Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)

The presence of two or more distinct personality states, each state with its own persistent pattern of behavior, thought or cognition, emotional ability and physical/somatic sense. Each distinct personality state has its own definition or method of interacting with self and environment.

Quick View

The Dissociative Disorders Spectrum has been presented many different ways and is most often defined by the DSM-IV diagnostic reference code. It can include areas such as amnesia and fugue which are not featured on the interactive list on this page. Additionally, there are gradients within the spectrum that are not as easily identified by the DSM-IV references today. Changes to the diagnostic references in the field of dissociation are anticipated as more research and clinical experience emerges over time.

To familiarize yourself with the spectrum of dissociative disorders, just click on a GREEN term in the Dissociative Spectrum for a QuickView of its definition.

Please keep in mind these definitions are meant to be read with ease of understanding. For a more in-depth view of a given disorder, there are many clinical books available and additional resources on the internet. For a helpful set of resources, you might also consider the materials for clients, peers, family members and therapists available through The Sidran Institute (www.sidran.org.). You may also find The International Society for the Study of Trauma & Dissociation a helpful resource (www.isst-d.org).