Fugue state

Dissociative fugue, previously known as fugue state or psychogenic fugue, is a rare and complex psychiatric condition that falls under the umbrella of dissociative disorders and conversion disorders. It's characterized by a temporary loss of personal identity and autobiographical memory, which can encompass personal memories, personality traits, and other elements of individual self-recognition.

Overview

The key attribute of dissociative fugue is a sudden and unexpected travel away from one's home or customary place of work, accompanied by an inability to recall one's past and confusion about personal identity or the assumption of a new identity. The state of fugue can last for a few hours or days, but in rare cases, it may persist for months or even longer.

Clinical Features

During a fugue episode, individuals appear normal and may even establish a new life, job, and relationships. The condition is usually triggered by severe stress or trauma, and the individual might not recall the episode after recovery, leading to gaps in personal history.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is usually based on the presence of sudden and unexpected travel away from home, inability to recall past events or important information from the person's life, and significant distress or impairment. Other medical and psychiatric conditions that could cause similar symptoms, such as certain neurological disorders or other types of dissociative disorders, need to be ruled out.

Treatment

Therapeutic strategies primarily aim at helping the individual regain their lost memories and sense of personal identity. Treatment often involves psychotherapy or cognitive therapy, and sometimes hypnosis. It's also important to address and manage any associated stress or trauma.

Epidemiology

Dissociative fugue is a relatively rare condition, and its exact prevalence is difficult to determine. It can occur in individuals of any age, and affects men and women equally.

See Also

• Dissociative disorders
• Conversion disorder
• Amnesia
• Hypnosis
• Psychotherapy

References

• "Dissociative Fugue". MedlinePlus. Retrieved 2023-05-18.
• "Dissociative Fugue". American Psychiatric Association. Retrieved 2023-05-18.
• "Dissociative Fugue". Merck Manual Professional Version. Retrieved 2023-05-18.

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