Which dissociative disorder is characterised by sudden, unexpected travel away from home, inability to recall one's past, confusion about personal identity, or assumption of a new identity, lasting hours to days?

• A Dissociative amnesia with dissociative fugue ✓
• B Depersonalisation/derealisation disorder
• C Dissociative identity disorder
• D Dissociative stupor

Explanation

Dissociative fugue is now coded as a specifier of dissociative amnesia in DSM-5 rather than a separate entity. It involves purposeful travel or bewildered wandering associated with inability to recall one's identity or past, sometimes with assumption of a new identity. It is typically precipitated by severe psychosocial stress or trauma. It is distinct from dissociative identity disorder (multiple discrete personality states) and depersonalisation disorder (detachment from self/surroundings without memory loss). Episodes are usually brief (hours to days) and resolve spontaneously, though the memories may not fully return.

Reference: Kaplan & Sadock's Synopsis of Psychiatry, 11th ed.

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