~~~DISSOCIATIVE DISORDERS TEST BANK

Question 1

Somatic symptom-related disorders and dissociative disorders are similar in that both

a) have symptoms suggesting a physical dysfunction.
b) typically begin after a stressful experience.
c) involve aggressive outbursts.
d) are delusional in quality.

Answer 1

b) typically begin after a stressful experience.

Question 2

Dissociative disorders share

a) obsessive thoughts.
b) an alteration in consciousness or identity.
c) an inability to distinguish reality from fantasy.
d) physical symptoms with no physiological basis.

Answer 2

b) an alteration in consciousness or identity.

Question 3

The DSM-5 includes all of the following dissociative disorders EXCEPT:

a) dissociative amnesia.
b) depersonalization/derealization disorder.
c) dissociative identity disorder.
d) dissociative anxiety disorder

Answer 3

d) dissociative anxiety disorder.

Question 3

Which theorists view dissociative disorders as avoidance responses that protect the person from consciously experiencing stressful events?

a) psychodynamic
b) behavioral
c) cognitive
d) both a and b

Answer 3

d) both a and b

Question 4

Which of the following is an example of mild dissociation?

a) worrying excessively over your grades
b) not remembering material you studied for a test
c) difficulty committing to social relationships
d) being so preoccupied you forget an appointment

Answer 4

d) being so preoccupied you forget an appointment

Question 5

Dissociative identity disorder must involve

a) at least three distinct personalities.
b) selective amnesia.
c) at least two distinct personalities.
d) depersonalizatioN

Answer 5

c) at least two distinct personalities.

Question 5

With regard to the theory that adults can recover memories of childhood abuse after many years, it is

a) best to assume that such people are malingering.
b) viable to assume that such recovered memories are indeed true.
c) best to treat these people as sufferers of PTSD.
d) safest to regard such theories as tentative.

Answer 5

d) safest to regard such theories as tentative.

Question 5

Memories often hold __________ power.

a) emotional
b) cognitive
c) physiological
d) physical

Answer 5

a) emotional

Question 6

Why are there many questions regarding the role of memory under stress with respect to dissociative disorders?

a) People have trouble recalling events.
b) Few brain-imaging studies have been conducted to date.
c) Some lines of research indicate that high levels of stress enhance memory.
d) Research indicates that, under stress, people store memories in different areas of the brain.

Answer 6

c) Some lines of research indicate that high levels of stress enhance memory.

Question 7

The prognosis for dissociative amnesia usually involves a __________ remission with __________ recovery.

a) gradual; complete
b) gradual; partial
c) sudden; complete
d) sudden; partial

Answer 7

c) sudden; complete

Question 7

Memories often hold __________ power.

a) emotional
b) cognitive
c) physiological
d) physical

Answer 7

b) additional cognitive deficits in brain injury.

Question 8

Explicit memory is to conscious recall of experiences as implicit memory is to

a) repressed memories.
b) behaviors based on experiences that cannot be consciously recalled.
c) behaviors based on experiences that occurred before the onset of speech.
d) dreams.

Answer 8

b) behaviors based on experiences that cannot be consciously recalled.

Question 9

Donna was brutally assaulted outside the local 7-Eleven. Although she cannot recall the details of the assault, she becomes terrified when she drives past the 7-Eleven. This is an example of a situation in which a person

a) has an explicit memory, but no implicit memory.
b) has neither explicit nor implicit memory.
c) will most likely develop dissociative identity disorder.
d) has no explicit memory, but has an implicit memory.

Answer 9

d) has no explicit memory, but has an implicit memory.

Question 10

Among the dissociative disorders, dissociative amnesia: subtype-dissociative fugue is characterized by

a) massive repression.
b) moving away and establishing a new identity.
c) sudden development following severe stress.
d) memory loss for virtually all past events

Answer 10

b) moving away and establishing a new identity.

Question 11

Following a dissociative amnesia-subtype dissociative fugue episode, the person often

a) does not remember the events that occurred during the episode.
b) remembers most of the events occurring during the episode, although may deny them to avoid embarrassment.
c) is predisposed to have further episodes at times of stress.
d) is likely to develop another type of dissociative disorder.

Answer 11

a) does not remember the events that occurred during the episode.

Question 12

Since watching his mother get hit and killed by a car two years ago, Chris has felt as if he has been watching himself from outside of his body and thinks that voices sound strange. He is probably suffering from

a) depersonalization/derealization disorder.
b) dissociative identity disorder.
c) dissociative amnesia .
d) none of the above.

Answer 12

a) depersonalization/derealization disorder.

Question 13

Mildred has been struggling with feelings of chronic depersonalization/derealization for several years. If she has depersonalization/derealization disorder, she most likely

a) has impaired memory functioning.
b) has a well-developed sense of self, just feelings of not being present.
c) has experienced some abuse at an earlier age.
d) is not employed.

Answer 13

c) has experienced some abuse at an earlier age.

Question 14

Depersonalization/derealization disorder usually begins in

a) early childhood.
b) middle childhood.
c) adolescence.
d) adulthood.

Answer 14

c) adolescence.

Question 15

Ms. Hall consulted a physician because of the following experience: The week before, she felt that another voice was talking to her, although she tried to ignore it. She then had a period of hours that she was unable to recall, but her boyfriend reported later that during that period she behaved like a completely different person, being loud and boisterous in contrast to her usual shy and sedate personality. She has had similar experiences in the past and is at a loss to explain them. Ms. Hall’s symptoms most likely meet the criteria for

a) schizophrenia.
b) depersonalization/derealization disorder.
c) dissociative identity disorder.
d) none of the above.

Answer 15

c) dissociative identity disorder.

Question 16

Bradford reports the following unusual experiences: He found used tea bags in the wastebasket, although he does not like tea and lives alone; he discovered several suits in his closet that he had no memory of buying and did not like; he has had people greet him, calling him “William” or “Christian,” whom he has never met before. Which DSM-5 diagnosis would best fit Bradford’s symptoms?

a) dissociative amnesia
b) Obsessive compulsive disorder
c) depersonalization/derealization disorder
d) dissociative identity disorder

Answer 16

d) dissociative identity disorder

Question 17

The onset of dissociative identity disorder is generally believed to begin during __________ and is found most often in people with __________ history of abuse.

a) adolescence; no
b) adolescence; a severe
c) childhood; no
d) childhood; a severe

Answer 17

d) childhood; a severe

Question 18

Dissociative identity disorder and schizophrenia

a) are two entirely different disorders.
b) are synonyms.
c) are very similar; the person with schizophrenia has two personalities, while the person with dissociative identity disorder has three or more.
d) are similar in that both have hallucinations and delusions.

Answer 18

a) are two entirely different disorders.

Question 19

All of the following have been cited as reasons for changes in the prevalence of dissociative identity disorder over the years EXCEPT:

a) changes in the diagnostic criteria for the disorder.
b) publication of popular accounts such as “Sybil.”
c) changes in the medical sophistication and level of education in modern society.
d) changing definitions of schizophrenia.

Answer 19

c) changes in the medical sophistication and level of education in modern society.

Question 20

DID usually begins in __________ but is rarely diagnosed until __________.

a) childhood; adulthood
b) childhood; adolescence
c) adolescence; adulthood
d) adulthood; late adulthood

Answer 20

a) childhood; adulthood

Question 21

One major theory of the etiology of dissociative identity disorder is that it results from

a) fear of facing the complexities of adult living.
b) drug use in predisposed individuals.
c) suggestion by therapists or media influences.
d) having a fantasy life more reinforcing than reality

Answer 21

c) suggestion by therapists or media influences.

Question 21

The two major theories of DID are

a) post-traumatic and sociocognitive.
b) post-traumatic and psychoanalytic.
c) behavioral and psychoanalytic.
d) post-traumatic and cognitive-behavioral.

Answer 21

a) post-traumatic and sociocognitive.

Question 22

The post-traumatic model of DID

a) has the most substantial empirical support.
b) assumes that DID begins in childhood as a result of severe abuse.
c) assumes that DID is created in therapy.
d) assumes DID is due to suggestion from the media

Answer 22

b) assumes that DID begins in childhood as a result of severe abuse.

Question 23

According to Claire’s friends, she never exhibited signs of DID. However, after watching Sybil on TV and visiting a therapist regularly, Claire began exhibiting different personalities. A sociocultural theory of the development of Claire’s DID would suggest that

a) Claire must have been sexually abused as a child.
b) Claire must have come from a dysfunctional family and had few friends growing up.
c) Claire’s alters appeared in response to exposure to media and therapists’ suggestions.
d) Claire has repressed memories for too long.

Answer 23

c) Claire’s alters appeared in response to exposure to media and therapists’ suggestions.

Question 24

Most people with dissociative identity disorder exhibit high __________ and experienced a history of __________.

a) child abuse; criminal behavior.
b) hypnotic susceptibility; child abuse.
c) hypnotic susceptibility; criminal behavior.
d) sensation seeking; amnesia.

Answer 24

b) hypnotic susceptibility; child abuse.

Question 24

Research on the effectiveness of psychological treatment of dissociative identity disorder

a) shows that behavioral-cognitive therapy is moderately effective.
b) has been hampered by the publicity surrounding known cases.
c) supports the post-traumatic model of its etiology.
d) is limited to observations of a few specialized studies that did not involve control groups

Answer 24

d) is limited to observations of a few specialized studies that did not involve control groups

Question 24

Dr. Jones believes that different alters appear during adulthood after the suggestion of a therapist. This is consistent with

a) psychoanalytic theory.
b) behavioral theory.
c) social role enactment.
d) self-fulfilling prophecy.

Answer 24

c) social role enactment.

Question 25

Although different alters report an inability to share memories,

a) studies suggest that alters can share some implicit memories.
b) studies suggest that alters share more explicit memories, but they are just repressed.
c) studies indicate that most alters are completely fabricated.
d) research suggests that role-playing is the best explanation of DID.

Answer 25

a) studies suggest that alters can share some implicit memories.

Question 25

The goal of treatment of dissociative disorders should be to

a) encourage repression of the underlying trauma.
b) encourage others to reinforce symptoms.
c) convince the person that splitting into different personalities is no longer necessary to deal with traumas.
d) provide a confrontational setting where symptoms are not needed

Answer 25

c) convince the person that splitting into different personalities is no longer necessary to deal with traumas.

Question 25

Therapists who are most likely to diagnose DID tend to

a) practice behavioral techniques.
b) use hypnosis.
c) use biofeedback.
d) support the sociocultural model.

Answer 25

b) use hypnosis.

Question 26

Somatic symptom disorders all involve
a) physical symptoms.
b) dysphoric mood.
c) disruptions of consciousness.
d) hallucinations.

Answer 26

a) physical symptoms.

Question 26

The controlled outcome studies on dissociative identity disorder (DID) show

a) superior outcome when psychodynamic treatment is employed.
b) integration of alters is easily achieved in most people with DID.
c) psychotropic medications are effective in eliminating alters.
d) none of the above; no controlled outcomes studies on DID exist.

Answer 26

d) none of the above; no controlled outcomes studies on DID exist.

Question 26

The most commonly diagnosed comorbid disorders with dissociative identity disorder are

a) anxiety and depression.
b) somatoform and substance abuse disorders.
c) bipolar disorder and depression.
d) schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder.

Answer 26

a) anxiety and depression.

Question 27

Which of the following is NOT presented in the text as a criticism of the somatic symptom disorders?
a) The diagnoses can be considered subjective.
b) There is remarkable diversity among people diagnosed with somatic symptom disorders
c) A diagnosis of a somatic symptom disorder carries a stigma and is not often diagnosed.
d) All of the following are criticisms of somatic symptom disorders

Answer 27

d) All of the following are criticisms of somatic symptom disorders

Question 28

All of the following are found in the somatic symptom disorders chapter in the DSM-5 EXCEPT:
a) illness anxiety disorder.
b) somatic symptom disorder.
c) hypochondriasis.
d) conversion disorder

Answer 28

c) hypochondriasis.

Question 29

According to the DSM-5, unwarranted fears about a serious illness despite absence of any significant somatic symptoms are called
a) illness anxiety disorder.
b) depersonalization/dearealization disorder.
c) factitious disorder.
d) conversion disorder

Answer 29

a) illness anxiety disorder.

Question 30

Louise arrived at the emergency room complaining of severe stomach pain. After careful evaluation, it became clear that Louise had purposely given herself food poisoning. She would most likely
a) be malingering.
b) have somatic symptom disorder.
c) have la belle indifference.
d) have factitious disorder.

Answer 30

d) have factitious disorder.

Question 30

Unlike a malingerer, a person with factitious disorder
a) does not exhibit “la belle indifference.”
b) has primarily psychological, not physical, symptoms.
c) has physical symptoms that are not under voluntary control.
d) has no clear motivation for adopting the symptoms.

Answer 30

d) has no clear motivation for adopting the symptoms.

Question 31

Which of the following is most similar to somatic symptom disorder?
a) factitious disorder
b) conversion disorder
c) Illness anxiety disorder
d) dissociative disorder

Answer 31

c) Illness anxiety disorder

Question 31

All of the following are DSM-5 symptoms of somatic symptom disorder EXCEPT:
a) at least one somatic symptom is distressing or disrupts daily life.
b) excessive thoughts, feelings, and behaviors related to somatic symptoms.
c) long-lasting history of mental illness.
d) has occurred for at least six months.

Answer 31

c) long-lasting history of mental illness.

Question 31

Which of the following best illustrates illness anxiety disorder?
a) An ulcer caused by stress.
b) A persistent unsubstantiated fear of having cancer.
c) Having obsessions with an imagined physical defect, such as facial wrinkles.
d) Experiencing recurring pain with no physical basis.

Answer 31

b) A persistent unsubstantiated fear of having cancer

Question 32

The main feature of illness anxiety disorder is
a) a preoccupation with fears of having a serious disease.
b) a fear of losing a limb.
c) an overwhelming fear of doctors and hospitals.
d) all of the above.

Answer 32

a) a preoccupation with fears of having a serious disease.

Question 33

. Anesthesia and aphonia are examples of __________ disorder.
a) illness anxiety
b) conversion
c) factitious
d) somatic symptom

Answer 33

b) conversion

Question 34

The Greek word hystera means
a) hysterical
b) womb
c) women
d) functional neurological

Answer 34

b) womb

Question 35

The term “conversion” originated with
a) Sigmund Freud
b) Abraham Maslow
c) Ivan Pavlov
d) Dermott Helmich

Answer 35

a) Sigmund Freud

Question 36

DSM-5 symptoms of conversion disorder include all of the following EXCEPT:
a) one or more neurologic symptoms affecting voluntary motor function.
b) three or more neurologic symptoms affecting voluntary motor function.
c) diagnostic findings are internally inconsistent.
d) symptoms cannot be explained by a medical condition.

Answer 36

b) three or more neurologic symptoms affecting voluntary motor function.

Question 37

A factitious disorder imposed on another is referred to as
a) Munchausen syndrome by imposition.
b) Munchausen symptom diversion.
c) Munchausen syndrome by proxy.
d) none of the above.

Answer 37

c) Munchausen syndrome by proxy.

Question 38

Neurobiologists focus on
a) how somatic symptom disorders are treated physically.
b) why some people are hypersensitive to bodily sensations.
c) when somatic symptoms first appear.
d) none of the above.

Answer 38

b) why some people are hypersensitive to bodily sensations.

Question 38

The brain region most closely linked to the somatosensory cortex is the
a) anterior insula.
b) posterior insula.
c) anterior cingulate.
d) both a and c.

Answer 38

d) both a and c.

Question 39

Pain and somatic symptoms can be increased by
a) anxiety.
b) depression.
c) hormones.
d) all of these factors can increase somatic symptoms.

Answer 39

d) all of these factors can increase somatic symptoms.

Question 40

Once a somatic symptom develops, the cognitive variable that appears important is
a) attention to body sensations.
b) interpretation of body sensations.
c) both attention and interpretation are important.
d) neither attention nor interpretation are important.

Answer 40

c) both attention and interpretation are important.

Question 41

. In the case of Anna O., her conversion disorder symptoms involved her
a) left leg.
b) sexual dysfunction.
c) her right side, beginning with her arm.
d) scalp, nose, and lips.

Answer 41

c) her right side, beginning with her arm.

Question 42

. Conversion disorder was first studied by Freud; before then it was referred to as
a) la belle indifference.
b) hysteria.
c) hypochondriasis.
d) Briquet’s syndrome.

Answer 42

b) hysteria.

Question 42

Julie experienced inexplicable blindness. She visited several ophthalmologists, all of whom indicated there was no physical basis for her blindness. She most likely has
a) Illness anxiety disorder
b) dissociative disorder.
c) conversion disorder.
d) somatic symptom disorder.

Question 42

. Conversion disorder is NOT a likely diagnosis for someone experiencing an inexplicable loss of
a) feeling.
b) vision.
c) memory.
d) speech.

Answer 42

c) memory.

Question 42

Robert complained of complete lack of sensation in both knees, but a physical exam revealed no physiological damage. Which of the following would be the most likely diagnosis for Robert?
a) factitious disorder
b) somatic symptom disorder
c) conversion disorder
d) illness anxiety disorder

Answer 42

c) conversion disorder

Question 43

. The onset of conversion disorder symptoms is usually
a) sudden and related to a stressful situation.
b) gradual and subtle.
c) not associated with psychological distress.
d) preceded by a period of physical illness.

Answer 43

a) sudden and related to a stressful situation.

Question 43

Which of the following is a potential symptom of conversion disorder?
a) extreme anxiety
b) paralysis in the hand
c) chronic sweating
d) hypersensitivity to pain

Answer 43

b) paralysis in the hand

Question 44

controversies of DID are often stated in

A) vague and unclear terms

B) overly complex and convoluted explanations

C) dichotomous ways

D) comprehensive and universally accepted terms

Answer 44

C) dichotomous ways

Question 45

According to this theory, DID develops when a highly suggestible person learns to adopt and enact the roles of multiple identities, mostly because clinicians have inadvertently suggested, legitimized, and reinforced them and because these different identities are geared to the individual’s own personal goals

A) recovered memory theory

B) reinforcement theory

C) trauma theory

D) social cognitive theory

Answer 45

D) social cognitive theory