Treatments for dissociative disorders

There are different treatments available for dissociative disorders. We're here to help you understand your choices.

Talking therapy for dissociative disorders

Psychiatrists recommend talking therapy for dissociative disorders. Counselling or psychotherapy can help you to feel safer in yourself.

A therapist can help you to explore and process traumatic events from the past, which can help you understand why you dissociate. They can also support you in developing new ways of managing your feelings and your relationships.

See our guide to therapy and counselling for more information.

I have found going to therapy useful in understanding more about my experiences.

How to get therapy for dissociative disorders

Most counselling and psychotherapy for dissociative disorders takes several years to complete.

Unfortunately, the NHS mostly offers short-term or medium-term therapy. This isn't usually effective in treating dissociative disorders.

One option is to ask your GP to refer you to a specialist clinic like:

You can't pay privately for these services. But you may only be able to get NHS funding for treatment at a specialist clinic if you have tried local NHS services.

This means you may need to be very persistent to get the right help from the NHS. An advocate may be able to help. See our pages on advocacy and mental health for more information.

On a waiting list?

Before getting therapy or counselling on the NHS, you might need to join a waiting list. This can feel like a difficult time. Read our tips on how to cope.

How to cope on a waiting list for therapy

How to choose a therapist for dissociative disorders

You may also want to seek therapy outside the NHS (privately) if it's an option for you. You can look for therapists who specialise in dissociative disorders on either of these websites:

Some private therapists offer a ‘sliding scale’ of fees if you're on a low income. So it's worth asking if they have low-cost places available.

Not all therapists know about dissociation. Or they may not have experience of working with trauma. So it may take time to find a therapist who feels right for you.

It's fine to meet with as many therapists as you need to find the one you want to work with. The therapist you choose should be:

Accepting of your experience
Willing to work with or learn to work with dissociation and trauma
Prepared to work with you long-term
Someone you feel safe with

See our pages on how to find therapy or counselling and getting the most from therapy for more information.

EMDR for dissociative disorders

Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR) is a therapy to help people process traumatic memories.

Standard EMDR isn't helpful for most people with dissociative disorders. It needs adjustments to make it safe and effective.

EMDR adjusted for dissociative disorders focuses on specific memories for shorter time periods. This helps prevent too many traumatic memories appearing too quickly, sometimes known as ‘flooding’. This can make the experience feel less intense.

It may also help treat any other mental health problems you have.

EMDR is only something to think about if:

You're feeling fairly stable
The professional doing it has expertise in treating dissociative disorders

Medication for dissociative disorders

There is no medication licensed to treat dissociation specifically.

Your doctor might offer you medication to treat symptoms of anxiety, panic or low mood that could be causing you to dissociate.

Or to treat any mental health problems you're experiencing alongside dissociation. These may include anxiety, panic attacks, depression, eating disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), hearing voices or psychosis.

Some common medications they may offer you are:

Can I recover from a dissociative disorder?

Yes. If you have the right diagnosis and treatment, there's a good chance you'll recover. This might mean that you stop experiencing dissociative symptoms.

Not everyone will stop experiencing dissociative symptoms completely. But treatment can help you feel more in control of your life and your identity.

You may find that being able to dissociate is comforting or helps you cope. Or you may not be ready to stop dissociating completely.