A complex mental process known as dissociation allows children and adults to cope with a traumatic experience. "Dissociation" can take many forms, such as "blocking out" a painful experience from memory or feeling detached or "not in" one's own body. Repeated dissociation can result in the development of dissociative disorders. The development of dissociative disorders is commonly associated with repeated childhood trauma, such as abuse or neglect. Dissociative disorders change the way a person experiences reality and living. Treatment and therapy depends on the type of disorder and how severe it is.
Mental Health Medications - This booklet is designed to help mental health patients and their families understand how and why medications can be used as part of the treatment of mental health problems.
A federal government website managed by the
Office on Women's Health
in the
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health
at the
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Text size
Email
Print
Email
Print