Dissociative Amnesia

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Dissociative Amnesia

Medically reviewed · Ratel Health editorial team · Sunday, 16 August 2026

A dissociative condition involving an inability to recall important personal information, usually related to a traumatic or stressful event, beyond ordinary forgetfulness.

Overview

Dissociative amnesia involves an inability to recall important autobiographical information, usually of a traumatic or stressful nature, that is inconsistent with ordinary forgetting.

Signs and Symptoms

Symptoms can include localized gaps in memory around a specific event, or in rarer cases more generalized memory loss regarding identity or life history. Experiencing one or more of these symptoms does not necessarily mean that a person has this condition. Diagnosis requires an appropriate clinical evaluation.

Causes and Risk Factors

Dissociative amnesia is associated with exposure to trauma or overwhelming stress, though the exact mechanism is not fully understood.

Diagnosis

A diagnosis should be made by a qualified healthcare professional following a comprehensive clinical assessment. Clinicians may use established diagnostic frameworks such as DSM-5-TR and/or ICD-11 as part of a comprehensive assessment.

Treatment

Treatment depends on the individual’s symptoms, clinical history, severity, age, co-occurring conditions, and other relevant factors.

Psychotherapy

Trauma-informed psychotherapy may help support processing of underlying stressors in a safe, gradual manner.

Living With Dissociative Amnesia

A stable, supportive environment can aid recovery and reduce additional stress during treatment.

When to Seek Professional Help

Professional evaluation may be appropriate if symptoms persist, worsen, cause significant distress, or interfere with work, school, or relationships.

Emergency Situations

If a person may be in immediate danger, is experiencing a medical or psychiatric emergency, or may harm themselves or another person, seek immediate assistance through appropriate local emergency services.

Outlook

Memory often returns spontaneously or with treatment, though the course can vary between individuals.

Related Conditions

Dissociative Identity Disorder

A dissociative condition involving disruption of identity marked by two or more distinct personality states, along with recurrent gaps in memory.

Depersonalization/Derealization Disorder

A dissociative condition involving persistent or recurrent experiences of feeling detached from oneself or one’s surroundings.

Medical Information Disclaimer

Ratel Health provides general educational information and does not provide medical diagnosis, treatment, or individualized medical advice. Information on this page is not a substitute for evaluation or care from a qualified healthcare professional. Do not use this information to diagnose yourself or another person, or to start, stop, or change treatment or medication without consulting an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.

References

  • American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-5-TR).
  • National Institute of Mental Health.
  • World Health Organization. International Classification of Diseases, 11th Revision.