Dissociation and functional neurologic disorders.

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Neuroscience
• Psychiatry

Background:

• Dissociation has been historically linked to functional neurologic disorders (FND).
• Evolving psychiatric classifications have led to ambiguity in defining dissociation.
• Current understanding suggests dissociation encompasses detachment and compartmentalization.

Purpose of the Study:

• To clarify the distinct phenomena of detachment and compartmentalization.
• To examine the relationship between these dissociative phenomena and FND.
• To propose a conceptual framework for understanding FNDs in relation to dissociation.

Main Methods:

• Review of historical and current psychiatric classifications.
• Analysis of existing evidence on dissociation and FND.
• Theoretical discussion of underlying psychologic mechanisms.

Main Results:

• Dissociation is understood as two distinct phenomena: detachment and compartmentalization.
• Functional neurologic disorders are fundamentally considered compartmentalization disorders.
• Detachment frequently co-occurs with FND and may contribute to symptomology.

Conclusions:

• Conflating detachment and compartmentalization under a single dissociative heading is problematic.
• Understanding FND requires appreciating mechanisms of mental process control.
• Further research into compartmentalization mechanisms is needed for clinical and empirical insights.