American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN) Practice Exam 2025 - Free ABPN Practice Questions and Study Guide

Dissociative fugue is characterized by sudden, unexpected travel away from home or customary work locations, along with an inability to recall one's past. This condition often emerges as a psychological response to trauma or stress. In managing dissociative fugue, psychodynamic psychotherapy is particularly effective as it aims to explore and understand the underlying emotional conflicts and traumas that may have precipitated the fugue state.

Psychodynamic psychotherapy facilitates a therapeutic alliance in which the patient can begin to process their experiences and feelings that may not be consciously remembered or acknowledged. The goal is to promote awareness of the unconscious processes that led to the dissociative state, helping the individual to integrate their memories and experiences into their current identity. This approach focuses on the individual’s history, feelings, and relationships, encouraging healing through reflection and understanding.

In contrast, while antidepressants may be prescribed to address associated symptoms of depression or anxiety, they do not directly target the dissociative symptoms. Group therapy can be beneficial for certain populations but may not address the individualized needs that arise from the unique experiences of dissociative fugue. Electroconvulsive therapy is typically reserved for severe mood disorders and is not an appropriate treatment for dissociative fugue, as it does not address the