Question

Which of the following is an example of a dissociative fugue?

a) A woman seems to have three distinct identities, each with its own way of thinking and behaving.
b) A man is able to discuss current events but cannot remember his own name or where he lives.
c) A woman suddenly disappears and wakes up three days later in a diner 200 miles from home.
d) A man wakes up to find himself paralyzed from the waist down, yet remains perfectly calm.

Answer 1

The correct example of a dissociative fugue is c) A woman suddenly disappears and wakes up three days later in a diner 200 miles from home, indicating a case of dissociative fugue where the individual inexplicably travels away from home and is unable to recall their past or identity. So the correct answer is option (C).

Step-by-step explanation:

The example of a dissociative fugue in the question provided is: c) A woman suddenly disappears and wakes up three days later in a diner 200 miles from home. Dissociative fugue is a subtype of dissociative amnesia, where a person not only suffers from amnesia about their personal identity and past but also embarks on some form of unexpected travel. In this state, the person might establish a new identity.

The key aspect of dissociative fugue is quick, unexpected, and unplanned travel away from home, combined with an inability to recall one's past and confusion about personal identity. The other options provided represent different psychological states or conditions: a) indicates a possible case of dissociative identity disorder; b) is an example of amnesia regarding personal details (dissociative amnesia); and d) could suggest a conversion disorder or psychological reaction to a medical condition.

These conditions are all part of a broader range of dissociative disorders, which involve disconnection and lack of continuity between thoughts, memories, surroundings, actions, and identity.