User:Ca$hley/Dissociative disorder

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(I added everything below- I will add this above the medication section in the full article) -Ash

Differences in Brain Activity in Dissociative Disorders
Dissociative disorders are characterized by distinct brain differences in the activation of various brain regions including the inferior parietal lobe, prefrontal cortex, and limbic system. Those with dissociative disorders have higher activity levels in the prefrontal lobe and a more inhibited limbic system on average than healthy controls. Heightened corticolimbic inhibition is associated with distinctly dissociative symptoms such as depersonalization and derealization. The function of these symptoms is thought to be a coping mechanism employed in extremely threatening or traumatic events. By inhibiting structures in the limbic system, such as the amygdala, the brain is able to reduce extreme levels of arousal. In the dissociative subtype of PTSD, there is both excessive control of emotions through suppressed limbic structures and insufficient control of emotions in the hyperactivity of the medial prefrontal cortex. Increased activity in the medial prefrontal cortex is associated with non-dissociative symptoms such as re-experiencing and hyperarousal.

Differences in Volume of Brain Structures in Dissociative Disorders
There are notable differences in the volume of certain areas of the brain such as reduced cortical and subcortical volumes in the hippocampus and amygdala. Reduced volume of the amygdala may account for the lessened emotional reactivity observed during dissociation. The hippocampus is associated with learning and the formation of memory, and its reduced volume is associated with impairments in memory for those with DID and PTSD. Brain-imaging studies demonstrating the link between reduced hippocampal volume and DID as well as PTSD have added to empirical support for the controversial existence of the disorder, as additional brain-imaging studies have demonstrated a negative correlation between hippocampal volume and early childhood abuse (which is hypothesized to be a potential contributing factor to dissociative symptoms).