Dissociative Disorders

Question 1

What do all dissociative disorders have in common?

Answer 1

they are all characterized by a loss of memory, identity, or sense of self

Question 2

Describe dissociative amnesia and its management.

Answer 2

• it is an inability to recall important personal information, usually in the setting of a trauma or stressor
• psychotherapy is the mainstay of therapy

Question 3

Describe the features and treatment of dissociative fugue.

Answer 3

• it is a sudden, unexpected travel away from home, accompanied by the inability to recall one’s identity or past
• these individuals are unaware of their amnesia at the time, have little if any anxiety despite their confusion, and often never recall the fugue
• psychotherapy is the mainstay of treatment

Question 4

What is a key difference between dissociative amnesia and dissociative fugue?

Answer 4

those with dissociative amnesia are aware they have forgotten something whereas those with dissociative fugue are not

Question 5

Describe dissociative identify disorder and its treatment.

Answer 5

• these patients have two or more distinct personalities that alternately control their behaviors and thoughts
• they also have an inability to recall personal information of one personality when another is dominant
• treatment includes hypnosis, drug-assisted interviewing, and insight-oriented psychotherapy

Question 6

Describe the features and treatment of depersonalization disorder.

Answer 6

• it is the persistent or recurrent feeling of detachment from one’s self, environment, or social situation during which reality testing remains intact
• there is no specific treatment