1. Amnesia
Amnesia is the inability to recall certain events, memories, people or places. A common thought is that amnesia is triggered by a blow to the head, but actually alcohol intoxication and severe psychological stress can also induce amnesia. Amnesia is a dissociative disorder and can be the result of severe stress such as a prisoner of war, being kidnapped, severe child abuse or sexual abuse. Symptoms are forgetfulness and confusion. Amnesia can cease just as quickly as it began.
2. Fugue
Fugue, which means flight, is leaving ones home and identity for days, months, even years. Severe psychological stress triggers this dissociative disorder. Fleeing is a method of self preservation. Once the individual recovers they rarely remember what happened or what they did during this period of time.
3. Multiple Personality Disorder
Multiple personality disorder is another dissociative disorder which is characterized by a separation from one's self and their consciousness. Generally, there are two existing personalities within the individual. One personality is conservative and dull, the other is impulsive and uninhibited. Multiple personality disorder is a response to extreme stress in one's life. It is a very rare disorder and most psychologists have not treated individuals with this disorder.
4. Delusional Parasitosis or Morgellons Disease?
Delusional parasitosis is a psychiatric disorder in which individuals feel there are bugs crawling under their skin. Morgellons is a medical condition. The morgellons are the black hairs that emerge from the skin. The most visible symptoms of Morgellons are skin conditions. Ninety percent of the people with Morgellons disease test positive for lyme disease. The verbal description of the skin sensation in Morgellons is the same as those suffering from delusional parasitosis. The two diseases are often intertwined because when patients first describe the condition there is difficulty in speech, forgetfulness and eventually paranoia and delusional behavior as the disease progresses.
5. Wilsons Disease
Wilsons disease is a rare disease which is often misdiagnosed as a psychological disorder. Wilsons disease is the build up of copper in the brain and liver. It occurs in late childhood, teens, and early 20s. Brain changes can lead to symptoms such as speech problems, language difficulty and behavioral issues. Misdiagnosis of this disease as depression, behavioral issues, schizophrenia, mental retardation, learning difficulties, anxiety disorders or hysteria is common.
Symptoms can include tremors, muscle rigidity, loss of coordination, drooling, abrupt personality changes, behavioral changes, inappropriate social behavior, deterioration of school work, jaundice, yellow skin, yellow eyes, abdominal swelling, a rusty brown or greenish gold ring around the cornea of the eye. These are certainly not all of the symptoms and these symptoms could certainly indicate other medical or psychological conditions. It is best to consult with your physician for a complete assessment and more information regarding Wilsons disease. Some tests to administer to detect Wilsons disease are an eye exam for detection of the brownish gold ring around the cornea and urine and blood tests for the detection of copper in the body.
