Patients & CaregiversHealthcare ProfessionalsWorldwide
HomeAbout MerckProductsNewsroomInvestor RelationsCareersResearchLicensingThe Merck Manuals
THE MERCK MANUAL MEDICAL LIBRARY: The Merck Manual of Medical Information--Home Edition
Tips for better results
ABCDEFGHI
JKLMNOPQR
STUVWXYZ
In This Topic
Introduction
Back to Top

Section

Subject

Topics

Introduction

Pronunciations

Amnesia and similar disorders are categorized by psychiatrists as dissociative disorders. They include dissociative amnesia, dissociative fugue, dissociative identity disorder, and depersonalization disorder. Dissociative disorders are usually triggered (precipitated) by overwhelming stress. The stress may be caused by experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event, accident, or disaster. Or a person may experience inner conflict so intolerable that his mind is forced to separate incompatible or unacceptable information and feelings from conscious thought.

Last full review/revision February 2003

Back to Top

Next: Depersonalization Disorder

Audio
Figures
Photographs
Pronunciations
Tables
Videos
Contact UsSite MapPrivacy PolicyTerms of UseCopyright 1995-2007 Merck & Co., Inc.