Dissociative Fugue

Overview

This is a form of amnesia. It's a temporary state of memory loss. A person in this state may not be able to remember who they are. They may have no memories of their family or friends, or where they live or work. If this happens to you, it can seriously disrupt your life.

Causes

We don't fully understand this disorder. It's usually linked to a very stressful or embarrassing event. The pressures of home life, work life or war can trigger it.

Symptoms

If you have a dissociative fugue, you may lose some or all of your memories. This happens suddenly. It can last a few hours. It can last weeks or months, or even longer. During this time, you may move away and call yourself by a different name. You may change homes, get a new job and make other relationships. Through all of this, you may not realize anything is wrong. But then, your memories can come back all at once. You suddenly realize that you're in an unfamiliar place. You may not know how you got there, and you may not remember what you've done while you were in the fugue state. You may never regain these memories. This can be very confusing. It can cause shame and fear.

Treatment

Dissociative fugue is treated with talk therapy. And learning to manage your stress can help prevent it from happening again. Your healthcare provider can create a plan that's right for you.

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.