Rates of Trauma and Dissociative Disorders

Trauma and Dissociative Disorders are comparatively common mental health problems. The lifetime prevalence of many of these disorders is much higher than the annual rate (left), e.g., in the United States the lifetime rate of PTSD is 8.7%, compared to 9% for Generalized Anxiety Disorder. [2]. This is because many people with PTSD do recover rather than keep their diagnosis throughout their lifetime. [4]

Despite these disorders being common, there is a disproportionately small amount of research funding allocated to them. However, the quality of the research is now very high.

The aim of this website is to share information globally, in order to help those recovering and those helping or treating them.

Medication and Trauma and Dissociative Disorders

Pharmaceutical companies only spend a very limited proportion of their psychiatric drug development funds researching conditions caused by trauma (including the dissociative disorders). The lack of funding may be largely due to the fact that drug companies have little motivation to develop medication that is only likely to have a limited effectiveness, meaning such drugs are not likely to be very profitable despite the large number of people suffering from trauma-related disorders. Psychiatric drugs are not the primary treatment recommended for trauma or dissociative disorders, however, medication can be very useful in reducing some PTSD symptoms and is very useful in treating conditions like depression or anxiety, which often occur at the same time. The only drugs currently approved for treating PTSD in the United States by the FDA are Paroxetine (Paxil) and Sertraline (Zoloft), although a number of other drugs may be prescribed for "off-label" use, particularly Fluoxetine (Prozac) and other anti-depressants. [5] There are many psychiatric drugs which may be prescribed off label for Dissociative Identity Disorder, but none which are FDA approved.
The majority of people diagnosed with PTSD or Dissociative Identity Disorder have other mental health conditions as a result of their trauma.[2] Difficulties resulting from trauma have only a limited response to medication, but do respond to "talking therapy" (psychotherapy). [2]
Disclaimer: The information above should not be considered advice. Make sure you speak to a clinician for advice before making any medication or treatment decisions, or discontinuing existing medication.

• See also Treatments for PTSD
• See also Treatment for Dissociative Identity Disorder
• See also Treatment for Depersonalization Disorder

Futher information

• Trauma and Abuse
• Trauma and Stressor-related disorders including PTSD and Reactive Attachment Disorder
• Dissociative Disorders including Dissociative Identity Disorder (multiple personality disorder), Dissociative Amnesia and Dissociative Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (DDNOS).
• Living and coping with trauma

The glossary contains many terms which are used in trauma and dissociative disorders, and all the unusual words that are used on this website, for example in diagnostic criteria. Check the sitemap and top 5 pages to explore this website.

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