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Table of Contents

Overview

Symptoms

Diagnosis

Causes

Treatment

Coping

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Dissociative fugue, formerly called fugue state or psychogenic fugue, is a subtype of dissociative amnesia. It involves loss of memory for personal autobiographical information combined with unexpected and sudden travel and sometimes setting up a new identity.

What Is Dissociative Fugue?

The word “fugue” comes from the Latin word for “flight,” which reflects the nature of dissociative fugue in that involves an element of traveling or wondering away from one’s present situation.

Dissociative fugue is a form of reversible amnesia that involves personality, memories, and personal identity. This type of temporary amnesia may last hours, days, weeks, months, or longer. It involves wandering or unplanned travel, in which the person may establish a new identity in a new location very different from their old life.

While dissociative fugue used to be diagnosed as a separate disorder in theDiagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders(DSM-IV), in the new updated DSM-5 it is a subtype of dissociative amnesia instead. In general, thedissociative disordersinvolve impairment of identity, perception, consciousness, and memory.

Symptoms of Dissociative Fugue

What are the symptoms of dissociative fugue? They potentially include all of the following depending on the case:

During the Fugue State

If you’re in the midst of a fugue state, you may exhibit the following symptoms:

However, it’s important to note that a person in the middle of dissociative fugue may not show any outward signs that suggest they are experiencing mental illness. That is because, from the perspective of the person, the new identity is their actual identity. It is only when this becomes challenged that issues may present themselves.

After the Fugue State Ends

Once a dissociative fugue state has passed, you may experience symptoms like:

It should also be noted that a person can experience multiple instances of dissociative fugue, particularly if the underlying cause of the fugue is never addressed.

Diagnosis of Dissociative Fugue

How is dissociative fugue diagnosed?

Diagnosis In the DSM-IV

When it was originally included as a separate disorder in the DSM-IV, the following criteria needed to be met for diagnosis:

However, it’s important to know that dissociative fugue is typically only diagnosed retrospectively since a person in the middle of it may not show any outward signs and it might be hard for others to recognize. So, it is only when the fugue ends, either abruptly or gradually, that a diagnosis is usually made.

Diagnosis In the DSM-5

All of the other subtypes are listed below: Different types of amnesia that might be present in this condition include:

Diagnostic Exclusions

Dissociative fugue will not be diagnosed if the fugue state is directly related to any of the following conditions or situations:

Furthermore, in very rare cases, people may feign dissociative fugue for legal or other reasons.

Methods of Diagnosis

PrevalenceDissociative fugue is rare with some estimates being around 0.2 percent of the population. It is more common in adults than in children, and also more common in people already diagnosed with other dissociative disorders.

Prevalence

Dissociative fugue is rare with some estimates being around 0.2 percent of the population. It is more common in adults than in children, and also more common in people already diagnosed with other dissociative disorders.

Causes of Dissociative Fugue

What are the causes of dissociative fugue? Below is a list of some potential related causes. Generally, these situations involve a history of significant or repeated trauma:

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.

While you may appear fine after the initial trauma, reminders of an earlier trauma could cause trigger dissociative fugue. For example, seeing your abuser later in life or experiencing an event that reminds you of the earlier event (e.g., seeing a small fire after being involved in a tragic fire).

In addition, there is evidence that there may be a genetic link as family members of person’s with dissociative disorders are more likely to experience dissociation.

The Link Between Trauma and Dissociative Disorders

Treatment of Dissociative Fugue

The duration of the forgotten events can vary. Some episodes resolve rapidly, while others can persist for years. There may be multiple episodes.

The goal of treatment is therefore twofold:

There are a number of different types of treatment that can be employed with a person who has experienced dissociative fugue;

Unfortunately, without treatment of the underlying issue, dissociative fugue may happen multiple times.

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Prevention

The best prevention involves treating the underlying problem and/or removing the threat that caused the episode.

Coping With Dissociative Fugue

Coping with dissociative fugue can be challenging since most people with the condition do not know that they have it. However, if you’ve experienced it in the past, there are things you can do to prevent recurrence:

Helping Someone With Dissociative Fugue

How can you help someone who has been diagnosed with dissociative fugue? Below are some suggestions.

What to Do If Someone Seems Confused

There can be many reasons a person might seem confused about their surroundings or identity, and as dissociative fugue is relatively rare, it is not likely to be first on the list. If you have concern for someone’s well-being, mental state, or safety, it is best to notify their physician or bring them to an emergency room.

A Word From Verywell

More research is needed to identify how best to handle this complex and relatively rare psychiatric issue. If you or someone you know has lived with dissociative fugue, know that you are not alone and others have experienced the same thing. If you have not already, ensure you are receiving proper treatment to prevent the same thing from happening again.

What to Know About the DSM-5-TR

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.American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing.Bressert S.Dissociative fugue symptoms.Cleveland Clinic.Dissociative amnesia.Spiegel D, Loewenstein RJ, Lewis-Fernandez R, et al.Dissociative disorders in DSM-5. Dissociative disorders in DSM-5. Depress Anxiety. 2011;28(9):824-52. doi: 10.1002/da.20874.Staniloiu A, Markowitsch HJ.Dissociative amnesia. Lancet Psychiatry. 2014;1(3):226-41. doi: 10.1016/S2215-0366(14)70279-2

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.American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing.Bressert S.Dissociative fugue symptoms.Cleveland Clinic.Dissociative amnesia.Spiegel D, Loewenstein RJ, Lewis-Fernandez R, et al.Dissociative disorders in DSM-5. Dissociative disorders in DSM-5. Depress Anxiety. 2011;28(9):824-52. doi: 10.1002/da.20874.Staniloiu A, Markowitsch HJ.Dissociative amnesia. Lancet Psychiatry. 2014;1(3):226-41. doi: 10.1016/S2215-0366(14)70279-2

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.

American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing.Bressert S.Dissociative fugue symptoms.Cleveland Clinic.Dissociative amnesia.Spiegel D, Loewenstein RJ, Lewis-Fernandez R, et al.Dissociative disorders in DSM-5. Dissociative disorders in DSM-5. Depress Anxiety. 2011;28(9):824-52. doi: 10.1002/da.20874.Staniloiu A, Markowitsch HJ.Dissociative amnesia. Lancet Psychiatry. 2014;1(3):226-41. doi: 10.1016/S2215-0366(14)70279-2

American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing.

Bressert S.Dissociative fugue symptoms.

Cleveland Clinic.Dissociative amnesia.

Spiegel D, Loewenstein RJ, Lewis-Fernandez R, et al.Dissociative disorders in DSM-5. Dissociative disorders in DSM-5. Depress Anxiety. 2011;28(9):824-52. doi: 10.1002/da.20874.

Staniloiu A, Markowitsch HJ.Dissociative amnesia. Lancet Psychiatry. 2014;1(3):226-41. doi: 10.1016/S2215-0366(14)70279-2

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