Psychogenic Amnesia or Dissociative Amnesia

Definition Memory disorder characterized by extreme memory loss usually caused by extensive psychological stress. As well as, abnormal memory functioning in the absence of structural brain damage or a known neurobiological cause Memory disorder characterized by extreme memory loss usually caused by extensive psychological stress. As well as, abnormal memory functioning in the absence of structural brain damage or a known neurobiological cause Basically, the person will block out certain information, leaving him or her unable to remember important personal information (i.e. their life, people, events…) Basically, the person will block out certain information, leaving him or her unable to remember important personal information (i.e. their life, people, events…) Degree of memory loss goes further than normal forgetfulness and includes gaps in memory for long periods of time or of memories involving the traumatic event Degree of memory loss goes further than normal forgetfulness and includes gaps in memory for long periods of time or of memories involving the traumatic event Psychogenic Amnesia is characterized by: Psychogenic Amnesia is characterized by: Inability to retrieve memories prior to beginning of amnesia (retrograde amnesia) Inability to retrieve memories prior to beginning of amnesia (retrograde amnesia) Inability to form new long term memories (anterograde amnesia) Inability to form new long term memories (anterograde amnesia) Two types of Psychogenic Amnesia: Two types of Psychogenic Amnesia: Global Amnesia (also known as fugue state) is a Global Amnesia (also known as fugue state) is a sudden loss of personal identity lasting a few hours to days, typically preceded by severe stress and/or depressed mood. There may also be a loss of basic knowledge or procedural skills such as reading and writing. This type is very rare, often helped by therapy, and usually resolves over time. Situation-Specific Amnesia (similar to post-traumatic Situation-Specific Amnesia (similar to post-traumatic stress disorder) is a result of a severely stressful event and is somewhat common in cases of severe and/or repeated trauma (i.e., war, abuse, someone’s death).

Symptoms Sudden inability to remember past experiences or personal information (primary symptom). In rare cases, the person can’t remember any of their life previous to the event. Sudden inability to remember past experiences or personal information (primary symptom). In rare cases, the person can’t remember any of their life previous to the event. The person might appear confused and suffer from depression and/or anxiety The person might appear confused and suffer from depression and/or anxiety The memories still exist but are deeply buried/can’t be recalled but might resurface on their own or after being triggered by something in person’s surroundings The memories still exist but are deeply buried/can’t be recalled but might resurface on their own or after being triggered by something in person’s surroundings Not same as simple amnesia which is usually a result of disease or injury to the brain. There is no physical reason for the amnesia to be occurring Not same as simple amnesia which is usually a result of disease or injury to the brain. There is no physical reason for the amnesia to be occurring Even though this condition is not caused structural damage to the brain, an abnormal brain activity can be seen when functional imaging tests are performed. Even though this condition is not caused structural damage to the brain, an abnormal brain activity can be seen when functional imaging tests are performed. Psychogenic Amnesia is more common in women than in men Psychogenic Amnesia is more common in women than in men

Case Study Following a car accident, with no injury to his head, the patient remained unconscious for approximately 20 min and confused for a few hours. When he awoke, he was found to have lost all past memories. The amnesia covered his whole life, famous facts, and encyclopedic knowledge. It also partially involved verbal and visual memory. Reading, writing and counting were no longer possible. The patient was eventually able to remember some ideas he’d had, but no personal experiences. Four years later, there were no changes, except for what had been relearned. No signs of brain damage were apparent during tests. It was determined that the patient suffered from ‘functional' retrograde amnesia (Psychogenic Amnesia), inhibiting his ability to recall past memories because of the trauma he’d experienced

Treatment Psychotherapy/Psychoanalysis Psychotherapy/Psychoanalysis Uses psychological techniques designed to encourage communication of conflicts and increase insight into problems by using dream analysis, interpretation, and other psychoanalytic methods to retrieve memories. This therapy may also involve putting patients in threatening situations where they’re overwhelmed with intense emotion. Uses psychological techniques designed to encourage communication of conflicts and increase insight into problems by using dream analysis, interpretation, and other psychoanalytic methods to retrieve memories. This therapy may also involve putting patients in threatening situations where they’re overwhelmed with intense emotion. Medication & Relaxation Techniques Medication & Relaxation Techniques There is no known medication to treat the Psychogenic Amnesia. However, a person who also suffers from depression or anxiety might benefit from an antidepressant or anti-anxiety medicine. There is no known medication to treat the Psychogenic Amnesia. However, a person who also suffers from depression or anxiety might benefit from an antidepressant or anti-anxiety medicine. Cognitive Therapy Cognitive Therapy This type of therapy focuses on changing dysfunctional thinking patterns and the feelings and behaviors associated with those thoughts. This type of therapy focuses on changing dysfunctional thinking patterns and the feelings and behaviors associated with those thoughts. Clinical Hypnosis Clinical Hypnosis Uses intense relaxation, concentration and focused attention to achieve an altered state of awareness. This allows people to explore thoughts, feelings, and memories they may have hidden from their conscious minds. Using hypnosis for this purpose is controversial due to the risk of creating false memories. Uses intense relaxation, concentration and focused attention to achieve an altered state of awareness. This allows people to explore thoughts, feelings, and memories they may have hidden from their conscious minds. Using hypnosis for this purpose is controversial due to the risk of creating false memories. For most people with Psychogenic Amnesia, memory returns with time, making the overall outlook very good. However, in some cases, the people are never able to retrieve their memories. For most people with Psychogenic Amnesia, memory returns with time, making the overall outlook very good. However, in some cases, the people are never able to retrieve their memories.

Sources: hic_dissociative_amnesia.aspx hic_dissociative_amnesia.aspx Neuropsychologia Volume 35, Issue 6, 19 May 1997, Pages Neuropsychologia Volume 35, Issue 6, 19 May 1997, Pages