Question

Dissociative amnesia involves ______. a. memory loss following head trauma b. memory loss following stress c. feeling detached from the self d. feeling detached from the world

Short answer

The correct answer is b. Memory loss following stress.

Step-by-step solution

Understand the Key Term

First, it's crucial to understand what 'dissociative amnesia' refers to. It's a type of amnesia that causes a person to forget personal information and past experiences.

Evaluate the Options

Next, each of the listed options needs to be evaluated against the definition of dissociative amnesia. This requires an understanding of various psychological terms and phenomena. It becomes clear that only one option fits the definition.

Select the Correct Answer

After evaluation, the option that matches the definition of dissociative amnesia is 'memory loss following stress'.

Key concepts

Psychological Amnesia

Psychological amnesia, commonly known as dissociative amnesia, refers to a significant loss of memory that is more substantial than simple forgetfulness and is not associated with any medical condition. This memory loss predominantly affects personal information, including memories about oneself and life experiences.

Unlike amnesia attributed to a physical cause, such as brain injury, psychological amnesia arises from emotional shock or trauma. The individual may temporarily lose access to important personal information, often relating to traumatic or stressful events, as a defense mechanism to protect their mental state.

Understanding psychological amnesia is a vital step in grasping why memory can sometimes fail us during periods of intense stress or emotional distress.

Stress-Related Memory Loss

Memory loss following stress, often observed in dissociative amnesia, can occur when an individual experiences an overwhelming amount of stress which the mind is unable to process effectively. This type of amnesia is linked to psychological stressors rather than physical trauma or damage to the brain.

Stressful life events such as a death in the family, abuse, disasters, or wars can lead to sudden temporary memory loss. The brain may block out memories associated with the traumatic event, creating gaps in the person's memory timeline. It's essential to explore the relationship between extreme stress and its impact on memory functions.

Memory Loss

Memory loss is a condition where a person has trouble recalling events, facts, or information. It can range from mild forgetfulness, often seen as a natural part of aging, to severe conditions that affect daily life.

Common causes for memory loss include aging, neurological diseases like Alzheimer's, head traumas, substance abuse, and psychological factors such as stress. It's crucial for students to understand the various triggers that can lead to memory impairment, as well as the distinction between normal, age-related memory decline and more concerning forms of memory loss like those seen in dissociative amnesia.

Dissociative Disorders

Dissociative disorders encompass a range of conditions that disrupt an individual's normal integration of consciousness, memory, identity, and perception. These disorders are often triggered by trauma and lead to significant impairment in social and occupational functioning.

Aside from dissociative amnesia, other common disorders include dissociative identity disorder (formerly known as multiple personality disorder), depersonalization/derealization disorder, and other unspecified dissociative disorders. Understanding the spectrum of dissociative disorders helps in recognizing how they manifest and the various ways they can impact an individual's life, often making day-to-day functions challenging without professional help.