Treatment

The symptoms associated with dissociative amnesia and fugue usually spontaneously

disappear over time. As the experience of stress begins to lessen,

the amnesia and fugue often disappear. When providing treatment for these

individuals, it is important that caregivers provide a safe environment which

removes them from the possible sources of stress. Some persons are hospitalized

for this reason. The institutional setting allows them to regain comfort

away from the traumatizing or stress-producing situation. Occasionally

the memory loss can be retrieved through the use of specific medications.

One such medication is sodium amytal, which can be used during an interview

process that attempts to restore the lost memories. Hypnosis is also

used as a means to put the person in a receptive state for questions that may

overcome the amnesia.

Hypnosis is also used in the treatment of fugue states. The goal when using

hypnosis is to access important memories that may have triggered the

fugue. Medications are sometimes used with patients who have a history of

fugue. Antianxiety medications, called benzodiazepines, have been utilized

with individuals showing dissociative fugue. The medication helps to alleviate

the feelings of worry and apprehension.

Because amnesia does not typically interfere with a person’s daily functioning,

few specific complaints about the lack of memory take place. Individuals

may complain about other psychological symptoms but not the amnesia.

Consequently, treatment often does not focus on the lost memories.

Some of the associated symptoms that occur with amnesia include depression

and stress due to a fugue state. Treatment is often directed toward alleviating

the depression and teaching a person stress management techniques.