Question:

A patient is brought in by a social worker after a recent earthquake. He has been living in a town different from his place of origin and is unaware of how he traveled 110 km away from home. He cannot recall his identity. There is no substance abuse history. What is the most likely diagnosis?

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Unexpected travel away from home + amnesia for identity or past = dissociative fugue.
Updated On: May 14, 2026
  • Dissociative amnesia
  • Dissociative fugue
  • Dissociative Identity Disorder
  • Selective amnesia
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The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

Concept: Dissociative fugue is characterized by sudden unexpected travel away from home with inability to recall one's past or identity. It usually occurs after psychological stress or trauma.

Step 1:
Identify the trigger.
The patient recently experienced an earthquake, which is a major psychological stressor.

Step 2:
Identify the key feature.
The patient traveled 110 km away from home and does not remember how he reached there.

Step 3:
Identify loss of identity.
He cannot recall his identity. This combination of travel and amnesia is typical of: \[ \text{Dissociative fugue} \] Therefore, the correct answer is Dissociative fugue.
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