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Prevention
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Dissociative disorders and schizophrenia are both serious mental health conditions. While the two conditions share some similarities, they are not the same and have distinct characteristics, symptoms, and treatments.
At a GlanceDissociative disorders and schizophrenia have some overlapping symptoms, but they are distinct conditions that can have different causes and approaches to treatment. To get the right treatment for you, it is important to first determine which condition you have based on your symptoms. Keep reading to learn more about the differences between dissociative disorders and schizophrenia. If you experience symptoms of these conditions, consult a healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment.
At a Glance
Dissociative disorders and schizophrenia have some overlapping symptoms, but they are distinct conditions that can have different causes and approaches to treatment. To get the right treatment for you, it is important to first determine which condition you have based on your symptoms. Keep reading to learn more about the differences between dissociative disorders and schizophrenia. If you experience symptoms of these conditions, consult a healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment.
Symptoms of Dissociative Disorders vs. Schizophrenia
People with schizophrenia and dissociative disorders may experience some similar symptoms. Shared symptoms may include hearing voices, memory loss, and feeling disconnected from the self and others.
However, people with dissociative disorders are more likely to experience depersonalization, derealization, and memory loss. Another notable difference is that people with schizophrenia are more likely to experience problems with cognitive functioning.
Schizophrenia SymptomsDelusionsHallucinationsDisorganized thinkingUnusual motor behaviorSocial withdrawalLack of emotional expressionCognitive deficitsDissociative Disorder SymptomsAmnesia or memory gapsFeelings of detachmentFeelings of unrealityInability to cope with stressProblems with identity
Schizophrenia SymptomsDelusionsHallucinationsDisorganized thinkingUnusual motor behaviorSocial withdrawalLack of emotional expressionCognitive deficits
Delusions
Hallucinations
Disorganized thinking
Unusual motor behavior
Social withdrawal
Lack of emotional expression
Cognitive deficits
Dissociative Disorder SymptomsAmnesia or memory gapsFeelings of detachmentFeelings of unrealityInability to cope with stressProblems with identity
Amnesia or memory gaps
Feelings of detachment
Feelings of unreality
Inability to cope with stress
Problems with identity
Signs and Symptoms of Schizophrenia
Causes of Schizophrenia vs. Dissociative Disorders
As with many mental health conditions, it can be difficult to determine the cause of schizophrenia and of dissociative disorder. Research is ongoing, but a few different factors have been implicated in causing each of these conditions.
Causes of Schizophrenia
There isn’t one singlecause of schizophrenia. Research has noted a strong genetic link, as a family history of psychosis significantly increases a person’s risk of the disease.Factors that may increase the risk for schizophrenia include:
Causes of Dissociative Disorders
Dissociative disorders, on the other hand, typically develop in response to significanttrauma. This might be military combat or physical or sexual abuse, experiences of which overwhelm the brain. The disorder may grow worse when an individual is under significantstress.
Who Is Affected and When?
Both schizophrenia and dissociative disorders are relatively uncommon. According to some estimates:
A person living with schizophrenia is more likely to experience other conditions, includingposttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD),obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and major depressive disorder. They are also at a higher risk for substance use.
Each type of dissociative disorder has different average onsets and frequencies. However, amnesic (memory loss) episodes can happen at any time, at any age, and last anywhere from minutes to years.
Studies indicate that dissociative symptoms do not differ between genders. Researchers speculate that the reason more women are diagnosed could be connected to the fact that men enter the legal system rather than the health system.
Diagnosing Schizophrenia vs. Dissociative Disorders
In order to diagnose your condition, a healthcare provider will ask questions about your symptoms, take a medical history, and perform a physical exam. They may also use lab tests or other diagnostic tests to rule out any medical conditions that might be causing your symptoms.
Your specific diagnosis will depend on the type of symptoms you present with. Your healthcare provider will use the “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition” (DSM-5)to diagnose your condition.
The DSM-5 describes disorders and lists the symptoms and functioning criteria that a person must meet to be diagnosed with a specific condition.
Diagnosing Schizophrenia
In order to meet the criteria for schizophrenia, an individual must experience two or more of the following symptoms (including at least one of the first three items on the list):
People with schizophrenia may lack insight into their disorder. Individuals who do not think they have a problem are less likely to be compliant with their treatment. That may mean higher relapse rates, increased involuntary admissions to psychiatric hospitals, and poorer psychosocial functioning.
Diagnosing Dissociative Disorders
There are three different types of dissociative disorders: depersonalization/derealization disorder, dissociative amnesia, and dissociative identity disorder (DID). Each has its own set of diagnostic criteria in the DSM-5.
Individuals with dissociative disorders may function normally part of the time. Then, their symptoms may create difficulties for them, making it hard to work, maintain relationships, or continue with education.
RecapSchizophrenia and dissociative disorders are distinct diagnoses, each with their own set of symptoms and specific diagnostic criteria.
Recap
Schizophrenia and dissociative disorders are distinct diagnoses, each with their own set of symptoms and specific diagnostic criteria.
Treatment for Dissociative Disorders vs. Schizophrenia
Because the treatments for schizophrenia and dissociative disorders are specific to the condition, it is essential to get an appropriate diagnosis. Neither schizophrenia nor dissociative disorders can be cured, but they can be managed in a variety of ways. Treatments often involvetherapy, medication, and support.
Schizophrenia Treatments
Standard treatment for schizophrenia includes antipsychotic medications, along with psychotherapy and community support services.With proper medication, hallucinations and delusions can subside.
Hospitalization might be necessary for the safety of the person with schizophrenia as well as those around them.
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Dissociative Disorder Treatments
Dissociative disorders are commonly treated with talk therapy. Treatment options may include:
Antidepressants or other medications may also be used. Such symptoms can help people manage symptoms of anxiety anddepressionthat may occur alongside dissociative symptoms.
Complications
Suicide can also be a serious issue for individuals with dissociative disorders, particularly dissociative identity disorder. More than 70% of individuals with dissociative identity disorder have attempted suicide. Multiple suicide attempts are common, and so isself-injury.
If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.
For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
Prevention of Dissociative Disorders and Schizophrenia
Because dissociative disorders are strongly linked to traumatic experiences, finding ways to reduce distress and treat the aftereffects of trauma may be helpful.
Summary
Getting a proper diagnosis is important because the treatments for schizophrenia and dissociative disorders can vary. Schizophrenia is generally treated with antipsychotic medication, while dissociative disorders are treated primarily with talk therapy.
Keep in Mind
Both schizophrenia and dissociative disorders are highly misunderstood conditions. Experiencing symptoms of either type of condition can be distressing and disruptive, so it is important to seek help if you have any symptoms that cause concern.
Your healthcare provider can determine whether the symptoms you are experiencing might be schizophrenia, a dissociative disorder, or something else. With proper treatment, people living with schizophrenia or dissociative disorder can lead productive, rewarding lives.
What Is Dissociation?
15 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Luvsannyam E, Jain MS, Pormento MKL, et al.Neurobiology of schizophrenia: A comprehensive review.Cureus. 2022;14(4):e23959. doi:10.7759/cureus.23959Cheslack-Postava K, Brown AS.Prenatal infection and schizophrenia: A decade of further progress.Schizophr Res. 2022;247:7-15. doi:10.1016/j.schres.2021.05.014Patel S, Khan S, M S, Hamid P.The association between cannabis use and schizophrenia: Causative or curative? A systematic review.Cureus. 2020;12(7):e9309. doi:10.7759/cureus.9309Şar V, Dorahy MJ, Krüger C.Revisiting the etiological aspects of dissociative identity disorder: A biopsychosocial perspective.Psychol Res Behav Manag. 2017;10:137-146. doi:10.2147/PRBM.S113743National Institute of Mental Health.Schizophrenia.World Health Organization.Schizophrenia.Devillé C, Moeglin C, Sentissi O.Dissociative disorders: between neurosis and psychosis.Case Rep Psychiatry. 2014;2014:425892. doi:10.1155/2014/425892Atilan Fedai Ü, Asoğlu M.Analysis of demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with dissociative identity disorder.Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2022;18:3035-3044. doi:10.2147/NDT.S386648U.S. National Library of Medicine.Schizophrenia.Kothari CL, Butkiewicz R, Williams ER, Jacobson C, Morse DS, Cerulli C.Does gender matter? Exploring mental health recovery court legal and health outcomes.Health Justice. 2014;2(1):12. doi:10.1186/s40352-014-0012-0Patel KR, Cherian J, Gohil K, Atkinson D.Schizophrenia: overview and treatment options.P T.2014;39(9):638-45.Chien WT, Fung HW.The challenges in diagnosis and treatment of dissociative disorders.Alpha Psychiatry. 2022;23(2):45-46. doi:10.5152/alphapsychiatry.2022.0001Sharma P, Guirguis M, Nelson J, Mcmahon T.A case of dissociative amnesia with dissociative fugue and treatment with psychotherapy.Prim Care Companion CNS Disord. 2015;17(3). doi:10.4088/PCC.14l01763Berardelli I, Rogante E, Sarubbi S, Erbuto D, Lester D, Pompili M.The importance of suicide risk formulation in schizophrenia.Front Psychiatry. 2021;12:779684. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2021.779684Rehan MA, Kuppa A, Ahuja A, et al.A strange case of dissociative identity disorder: are there any triggers?.Cureus.2018;10(7):e2957. doi:10.7759/cureus.2957Additional ReadingBob P, Mashour GA.Schizophrenia, dissociation, and consciousness.Conscious Cogn. 2011;20(4):1042-9. doi:10.1016/j.concog.2011.04.013Tanner J, Wyss D, Perron N, Rufer M, Mueller-Pfeiffer C.Frequency and characteristics of suicide attempts in dissociative identity disorders: a 12-month follow-up study in psychiatric outpatients in Switzerland.Eur J Trauma Dissoc. 2017;1(4):235-239. doi:10.1016/j.ejtd.2017.06.005
15 Sources
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Luvsannyam E, Jain MS, Pormento MKL, et al.Neurobiology of schizophrenia: A comprehensive review.Cureus. 2022;14(4):e23959. doi:10.7759/cureus.23959Cheslack-Postava K, Brown AS.Prenatal infection and schizophrenia: A decade of further progress.Schizophr Res. 2022;247:7-15. doi:10.1016/j.schres.2021.05.014Patel S, Khan S, M S, Hamid P.The association between cannabis use and schizophrenia: Causative or curative? A systematic review.Cureus. 2020;12(7):e9309. doi:10.7759/cureus.9309Şar V, Dorahy MJ, Krüger C.Revisiting the etiological aspects of dissociative identity disorder: A biopsychosocial perspective.Psychol Res Behav Manag. 2017;10:137-146. doi:10.2147/PRBM.S113743National Institute of Mental Health.Schizophrenia.World Health Organization.Schizophrenia.Devillé C, Moeglin C, Sentissi O.Dissociative disorders: between neurosis and psychosis.Case Rep Psychiatry. 2014;2014:425892. doi:10.1155/2014/425892Atilan Fedai Ü, Asoğlu M.Analysis of demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with dissociative identity disorder.Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2022;18:3035-3044. doi:10.2147/NDT.S386648U.S. National Library of Medicine.Schizophrenia.Kothari CL, Butkiewicz R, Williams ER, Jacobson C, Morse DS, Cerulli C.Does gender matter? Exploring mental health recovery court legal and health outcomes.Health Justice. 2014;2(1):12. doi:10.1186/s40352-014-0012-0Patel KR, Cherian J, Gohil K, Atkinson D.Schizophrenia: overview and treatment options.P T.2014;39(9):638-45.Chien WT, Fung HW.The challenges in diagnosis and treatment of dissociative disorders.Alpha Psychiatry. 2022;23(2):45-46. doi:10.5152/alphapsychiatry.2022.0001Sharma P, Guirguis M, Nelson J, Mcmahon T.A case of dissociative amnesia with dissociative fugue and treatment with psychotherapy.Prim Care Companion CNS Disord. 2015;17(3). doi:10.4088/PCC.14l01763Berardelli I, Rogante E, Sarubbi S, Erbuto D, Lester D, Pompili M.The importance of suicide risk formulation in schizophrenia.Front Psychiatry. 2021;12:779684. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2021.779684Rehan MA, Kuppa A, Ahuja A, et al.A strange case of dissociative identity disorder: are there any triggers?.Cureus.2018;10(7):e2957. doi:10.7759/cureus.2957Additional ReadingBob P, Mashour GA.Schizophrenia, dissociation, and consciousness.Conscious Cogn. 2011;20(4):1042-9. doi:10.1016/j.concog.2011.04.013Tanner J, Wyss D, Perron N, Rufer M, Mueller-Pfeiffer C.Frequency and characteristics of suicide attempts in dissociative identity disorders: a 12-month follow-up study in psychiatric outpatients in Switzerland.Eur J Trauma Dissoc. 2017;1(4):235-239. doi:10.1016/j.ejtd.2017.06.005
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Luvsannyam E, Jain MS, Pormento MKL, et al.Neurobiology of schizophrenia: A comprehensive review.Cureus. 2022;14(4):e23959. doi:10.7759/cureus.23959Cheslack-Postava K, Brown AS.Prenatal infection and schizophrenia: A decade of further progress.Schizophr Res. 2022;247:7-15. doi:10.1016/j.schres.2021.05.014Patel S, Khan S, M S, Hamid P.The association between cannabis use and schizophrenia: Causative or curative? A systematic review.Cureus. 2020;12(7):e9309. doi:10.7759/cureus.9309Şar V, Dorahy MJ, Krüger C.Revisiting the etiological aspects of dissociative identity disorder: A biopsychosocial perspective.Psychol Res Behav Manag. 2017;10:137-146. doi:10.2147/PRBM.S113743National Institute of Mental Health.Schizophrenia.World Health Organization.Schizophrenia.Devillé C, Moeglin C, Sentissi O.Dissociative disorders: between neurosis and psychosis.Case Rep Psychiatry. 2014;2014:425892. doi:10.1155/2014/425892Atilan Fedai Ü, Asoğlu M.Analysis of demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with dissociative identity disorder.Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2022;18:3035-3044. doi:10.2147/NDT.S386648U.S. National Library of Medicine.Schizophrenia.Kothari CL, Butkiewicz R, Williams ER, Jacobson C, Morse DS, Cerulli C.Does gender matter? Exploring mental health recovery court legal and health outcomes.Health Justice. 2014;2(1):12. doi:10.1186/s40352-014-0012-0Patel KR, Cherian J, Gohil K, Atkinson D.Schizophrenia: overview and treatment options.P T.2014;39(9):638-45.Chien WT, Fung HW.The challenges in diagnosis and treatment of dissociative disorders.Alpha Psychiatry. 2022;23(2):45-46. doi:10.5152/alphapsychiatry.2022.0001Sharma P, Guirguis M, Nelson J, Mcmahon T.A case of dissociative amnesia with dissociative fugue and treatment with psychotherapy.Prim Care Companion CNS Disord. 2015;17(3). doi:10.4088/PCC.14l01763Berardelli I, Rogante E, Sarubbi S, Erbuto D, Lester D, Pompili M.The importance of suicide risk formulation in schizophrenia.Front Psychiatry. 2021;12:779684. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2021.779684Rehan MA, Kuppa A, Ahuja A, et al.A strange case of dissociative identity disorder: are there any triggers?.Cureus.2018;10(7):e2957. doi:10.7759/cureus.2957
Luvsannyam E, Jain MS, Pormento MKL, et al.Neurobiology of schizophrenia: A comprehensive review.Cureus. 2022;14(4):e23959. doi:10.7759/cureus.23959
Cheslack-Postava K, Brown AS.Prenatal infection and schizophrenia: A decade of further progress.Schizophr Res. 2022;247:7-15. doi:10.1016/j.schres.2021.05.014
Patel S, Khan S, M S, Hamid P.The association between cannabis use and schizophrenia: Causative or curative? A systematic review.Cureus. 2020;12(7):e9309. doi:10.7759/cureus.9309
Şar V, Dorahy MJ, Krüger C.Revisiting the etiological aspects of dissociative identity disorder: A biopsychosocial perspective.Psychol Res Behav Manag. 2017;10:137-146. doi:10.2147/PRBM.S113743
National Institute of Mental Health.Schizophrenia.
World Health Organization.Schizophrenia.
Devillé C, Moeglin C, Sentissi O.Dissociative disorders: between neurosis and psychosis.Case Rep Psychiatry. 2014;2014:425892. doi:10.1155/2014/425892
Atilan Fedai Ü, Asoğlu M.Analysis of demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with dissociative identity disorder.Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2022;18:3035-3044. doi:10.2147/NDT.S386648
U.S. National Library of Medicine.Schizophrenia.
Kothari CL, Butkiewicz R, Williams ER, Jacobson C, Morse DS, Cerulli C.Does gender matter? Exploring mental health recovery court legal and health outcomes.Health Justice. 2014;2(1):12. doi:10.1186/s40352-014-0012-0
Patel KR, Cherian J, Gohil K, Atkinson D.Schizophrenia: overview and treatment options.P T.2014;39(9):638-45.
Chien WT, Fung HW.The challenges in diagnosis and treatment of dissociative disorders.Alpha Psychiatry. 2022;23(2):45-46. doi:10.5152/alphapsychiatry.2022.0001
Sharma P, Guirguis M, Nelson J, Mcmahon T.A case of dissociative amnesia with dissociative fugue and treatment with psychotherapy.Prim Care Companion CNS Disord. 2015;17(3). doi:10.4088/PCC.14l01763
Berardelli I, Rogante E, Sarubbi S, Erbuto D, Lester D, Pompili M.The importance of suicide risk formulation in schizophrenia.Front Psychiatry. 2021;12:779684. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2021.779684
Rehan MA, Kuppa A, Ahuja A, et al.A strange case of dissociative identity disorder: are there any triggers?.Cureus.2018;10(7):e2957. doi:10.7759/cureus.2957
Bob P, Mashour GA.Schizophrenia, dissociation, and consciousness.Conscious Cogn. 2011;20(4):1042-9. doi:10.1016/j.concog.2011.04.013Tanner J, Wyss D, Perron N, Rufer M, Mueller-Pfeiffer C.Frequency and characteristics of suicide attempts in dissociative identity disorders: a 12-month follow-up study in psychiatric outpatients in Switzerland.Eur J Trauma Dissoc. 2017;1(4):235-239. doi:10.1016/j.ejtd.2017.06.005
Bob P, Mashour GA.Schizophrenia, dissociation, and consciousness.Conscious Cogn. 2011;20(4):1042-9. doi:10.1016/j.concog.2011.04.013
Tanner J, Wyss D, Perron N, Rufer M, Mueller-Pfeiffer C.Frequency and characteristics of suicide attempts in dissociative identity disorders: a 12-month follow-up study in psychiatric outpatients in Switzerland.Eur J Trauma Dissoc. 2017;1(4):235-239. doi:10.1016/j.ejtd.2017.06.005
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