Dissociative Disorders

Question 1

Dissociative Amnesia (psychogenic amnesia)

Answer 1

• Memory loss for autobiographical information, which doesn’t occur due to another disorder
• Memory loss can be:
  
  • localized: total loss of personal memory during a circumscribed period
  • selective: some but limited recalls of personal memories during a circumscribed period of time
  • generalized: loss of personal memory of entire life up to and including event

-Specify if “with dissociative fugue”

Question 2

Dissociative Identity Disorder

Answer 2

• Disruption of identify characterized by 2 or more distinct personalities states:
  
  • primary (host)
  • an alter
• Inability to recall personal info (memory gaps in host)

Question 3

Depersonalization/ Derealization Disorder

Answer 3

Either (or both):

• Depersonalization: experiences of unreality, detachment, or being an outside observer with respect to one’s thought, feelings, sensations, body, or actions
• Derealization: experiences of unreality or detachment with respect to surroundings
• Reality testing remains intact
• Symptoms result in functional impairment
• Metabolic, neurologic, or other med conditions should be eliminated as causal agents