Dissociative Disorders

Question 1

Characteristics of dissociative amnesia

Answer 1

Inability to recall important personal information that is usually of stressful nature

Question 2

Characteristics of dissociative identity disorder

Answer 2

Individual displays two or more distinct identities, gaps of memory for certain life events, 95% of the sufferers reported childhood sexual and physical abuse (including incest)

Question 3

Characteristics of depersonalization disorder

Answer 3

Persistent or recurrent episodes of depersonalization, often when the individual is in transitional physiological states such as on waking up, when feeling tired, practicing meditation, feelings of detachment or estrangement from the self

Question 4

Psychodynamic understanding of dissociative disorders

Answer 4

Caused by repression. Repression is an ego defense mechanism that helps to suppress painful memories and prevent stressful thoughts entering consciousness.

Question 5

Characteristics of dissociative disorders

Answer 5

Significant changes in an individual’s sense of identity, memory, consciousness or perception. Inability to recall important life events, temporary loss or disruption of identity, significant feeling of depersonalization.