What does dissociative amnesia primarily involve?

Dissociative amnesia is characterized primarily by the inability to recall important personal information, often about traumatic or stressful events. This lack of memory is more extensive than simple forgetfulness and is not attributable to ordinary memory problems. The condition usually arises in response to overwhelming distress, where an individual subconsciously blocks out memories to cope with their emotional pain.

The other options do not accurately reflect the key features of dissociative amnesia. Hallucinations and mood swings are more associated with other mental health conditions, while feelings of unexplainable joy are not related to dissociative amnesia at all. Therefore, the focus on the inability to recall significant personal events correctly captures the essence of dissociative amnesia.