why should the DSM-IV-TR need both categories of Dissociative Amnesia and Dissociative Fugue

They are two different disorders.

http://my.clevelandclinic.org/disorders/dissociative_disorders/hic_dissociative_fugue.aspx

http://my.clevelandclinic.org/disorders/dissociative_disorders/hic_dissociative_amnesia.aspx

so maybe because the symptoms vary and the amount of episodes in inability to recall information

Do they respond to the same or different treatments?

dissociative fugue help the person come to terms with the stress or trauma that triggered the fugue

dissociative amnesia to relieve symptoms and control any problem behavior

The DSM-IV-TR (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision) includes both Dissociative Amnesia and Dissociative Fugue as separate categories for several reasons.

1. Differentiating symptoms: Dissociative Amnesia and Dissociative Fugue are both dissociative disorders, but they present with distinct symptoms. Dissociative Amnesia refers to the inability to recall important personal information, often related to a traumatic or stressful event. Dissociative Fugue, on the other hand, involves sudden, unexpected travel away from one's usual surroundings, along with memory loss for one's past, identity, and personal information. By having separate categories, the DSM-IV-TR acknowledges these distinct symptom profiles.

2. Supporting accurate diagnosis: The inclusion of separate categories allows mental health professionals to make more accurate diagnoses. This is important for determining the most appropriate treatment plan and providing targeted interventions. Having distinct diagnostic criteria for Dissociative Amnesia and Dissociative Fugue helps clinicians differentiate between the two disorders and avoid misdiagnosis.

3. Research and further understanding: By delineating Dissociative Amnesia and Dissociative Fugue as separate categories, it facilitates research on these specific disorders. This research can lead to a better understanding of their underlying causes, risk factors, and effective treatment approaches. Additionally, having separate categories helps in documenting prevalence rates, comorbidity patterns, and long-term outcomes for each disorder.

To diagnose individuals with Dissociative Amnesia or Dissociative Fugue, mental health professionals refer to the DSM-IV-TR criteria, which provide specific guidelines on how to assess symptoms, duration, impairment, and other relevant factors. It is important to note that the DSM-IV-TR has been updated, and the current version is the DSM-5. Therefore, it is recommended to consult the most recent edition for the most up-to-date information.