Dissociative State

Psychological episode of amnesia, usually due to PTSD
  • Usually occurs without witnesses present
  • Loss of awareness for environment
  • Period of amnesia may last hours
  • If witnesses present, may describe mood-related behaviors (e.g. outbursts)
Work-Up (esp. when unwitnessed) is to rule-out Complex Partial Seizure
  • MRI — to r/o Mass
  • EEG (sleep-deprived) — to rule-in Seizure
  • Send to Neurology

If Neurology diagnoses Dissociative State, then refer to Psych

See postings on Loss of Consciousness, LOC-1 and LOC-2.