Dissociative Amnesia

Dissociative amnesia is a disorder characterized by the inability to recall important autobiographical information, typically following trauma or stress, which cannot be explained by ordinary forgetfulness. Etiology involves psychological stressors, trauma exposure, and maladaptive coping mechanisms affecting memory retrieval. Clinically, patients present with sudden memory loss of personal information, often selective for specific events, sometimes accompanied by confusion or emotional distress. Diagnosis requires exclusion of neurological, medical, or substance-induced causes, alongside assessment of trauma history. Management emphasizes psychotherapy, including trauma-focused interventions and cognitive rehabilitation strategies. Prognosis is generally favorable, with many patients recovering memory function once underlying stressors are addressed.