Dissociative identity precipitated by emergence from general anesthesia: A case report and analytical framework

Abstract

Background

Dissociative identity disorder (DID) is a complex and controversial psychiatric condition in which one person maintains at least two separate and distinct personalities. Patients with DID often report a history of childhood abuse and may have other comorbid psychiatric conditions. Psychosocial stressors may be triggers for DID inception or recurrence. While anesthetic agents, in particular ketamine, may induce a temporary dissociative state, it has not yet been reported that anesthesia can precipitate a dissociative identity.

Case report

We report a case of a woman with a history of childhood sexual abuse and past suicide attempt who experienced an episode of dissociative identity on emergence from anesthesia. The episode resolved within 90 min and the patient was discharged home safely on hospital day two.

Conclusion

This case adds to the literature of potentially precipitating factors of DID and we provide a unifying mechanistic hypothesis linking anesthesia to functional brain connectivity.