Fact 2. The Many Faces of Dissociative Amnesia: Understanding its Types
Dissociative amnesia is not a monolithic condition. It presents itself in diverse forms, each unique in its manifestation and characteristics. The condition is primarily classified into three categories: localized, selective, and generalized amnesia.
Localized amnesia is a type where an individual can’t recall events that occurred during a specific period. This period could range from a few hours to several years, typically a period associated with traumatic or stressful occurrences. The onset of localized amnesia usually follows soon after the occurrence of the traumatic event.
On the other hand, selective amnesia is when individuals forget only some of the events that occurred during a specific timeframe. They might remember certain aspects of an incident but draw a blank on others. This selectivity in memory recall often correlates with the severity of the stress or trauma experienced during the events. (2)
