Dissociative Disorders

Question 1

Types of Dissociative Disorders

Answer 1

1. Dissociative Identity Disorder
2. Dissociative Amnesia
3. Depersonalization/Derealization Disorder (can be parts of other disorders as well)

Question 2

Dissociation definition

Answer 2

Process where components of mental experience split off from one another

• identity
• memory
• consciousness

ex: Daydreaming – can be considered normal, but when it causes difficulty in your life it becomes a disorder

Question 3

Dissociative Identity Disorder Diagnosis

Answer 3

A- Two or more distinct personality states

B- Recurrent gaps in recall of everyday events

C- Significant distress or impairment to social, occupational, and other important areas of functioning

Question 4

DID Alters can include…

Answer 4

• child personality
• protector
• persecutor

Question 5

DID is typically caused by…?

Answer 5

Childhood trauma – developed as a coping strategy that persists into adulthood

Self-injury behavior is common

Question 6

DID may often have a co-morbid diagnosis with …?

Answer 6

• PTSD

- Personality Disorder

Question 7

Treatment for Dissociative Identity Disorder

Answer 7

Attempts to integrate all personalities

• lengthy therapy
• learning how all these personalities can coexist

Question 8

DID Prevalence

Answer 8

More prevalent amount psychiatric patients 5-15%

Women > men

Question 9

Diagnostic Criteria for Dissociative Amnesia

Answer 9

A- Inability to recall autobiographical info, usually result of a trauma or stressful event – typically sudden

B- symptoms cause clinically significant distress

C- Distress not caused by substance abuse or other disorders

Question 10

Types of Dissociative Amnesia

Answer 10

Organic

- Brain injury --> disease, drugs, surgery
- Anterograde amnesia common--> cant remember new info

Psychogenic
-No brain injury or disease…psychological cause

Retrograde amnesia

• inability to remember info from the past
• both organic & psychogenic causes

Question 11

Fugue specifier

Answer 11

Subtype of Dissociative Amnesia

Person suddenly moves away from home and assumes an entirely new identity w/o memory of previous identity

Occurs in response to some stressor

Question 12

Treatment for Dissociative Amnesia

Answer 12

Patients often recover on their own
- 70% of pts are able to recover most of their memory

Psychotherapy can help person identify stressors & learn coping skills

Question 13

Depersonalization

Answer 13

unreality, detachment or being an outside observer with respect to ones thoughts, feelings, sensations, body, or actions

ex: Loss of sense of self, Emotional numbing

Question 14

Derealization

Answer 14

Unreality or detachment with respect to surroundings

ex: Dreamlike, foggy, lifeless, visually disorted

Question 15

____ remains intact in Depersonalization/Derealization Disorder

Answer 15

Reality Testing!

• Not hearing voices or delusional
• Not hallucinating
• No thought disorders

Question 16

Causes of Depersonalization/Derealization Disorder

Answer 16

• Sleep deprivation

- Influence of drugs

Question 17

Depersonalization/Derealization Disorder Diagnosis

Answer 17

Episodes frequent and distressing
Interfere with ability to function

Often have a history of childhood emotional, physical, or sexual abuse

Often co-morbid –> ex: Pt on Autism spectrum

Question 18

Depersonalization/Derealization Disorder is more common in men or women?

Answer 18

Equal in both!

Question 19

Treatment for Depersonalization/Derealization Disorder

Answer 19

No meds

Therapy to treat anxiety associated with this