Dissociative amnesia is loss of memory after stressful events. A person suffering from this disorder are not able to recall important personal information, usually after a stressful episode.
In total amnesia, the patient does not recognize family and friends, but still have the ability to speak, read and reasoning, also still has the talent and knowledge of the world that had been obtained previously.
Clinical development of dissociative amnesia:
- Loss of memory (in part / whole), usually about important events (stressful, traumatic) has just happened, not due to organic mental disorders, forgetfulness, fatigue, intoxication.
- Individual suddenly becomes unable to recall important personal information (usually after some stressful events).
- During the period of amnesia, behavior or abilities of individuals may not be changed, except that the memory loss caused some disorientation, do not recognize the identity (origin, friends, family, etc.).
- Memory loss.
- Can only for certain events or all events of life.
- Usually takes place in a certain period of time, can be a few hours to several years.
- Memory is usually re-appear suddenly too, complete as before (only less likely to relapse).
- Loss of memory is not the same as those caused by brain damage or because of drug dependence.