Dissociative & Somatic Symptom Disorders Flashcards
What is the main trigger of dissociative disorders?
Traumatic life experiences (can be real or perceived)
In dissociative disorders what is wrong?
In normal people there is a unity in consciousness that gives rise to sense of self, and we perceive ourselves as progressing through space or time
- In dissociative disorders, one or more of these aspects of daily life is disturbed
What is Dissociative Identity Disorder?
Dissociative disorder in which a person has two or more distinct or alternate personalities each with well defined traits and memories
-may or may not be aware of eachother (dominant personality usually the one unaware)
What are the controversies over Dissociative identity disorder?
Most cases are reported by a small number of investigators and clinicians who strongly believe in the existence of the disorder
What did Spanos’ research find about dissociative identity disorder?
Not a distinct disorder but a form of role playing in which individuals first come to construe themselves as having multiple selves and then act in ways that are consistent to what they think the disorder is
-role playing becomes so ingrained in them that it becomes reality to them
What was the case of Kenneth Bianchi
- said to have dissociative identity disorder
- questions around whether the psychiatrist that interviewed him suggest to him that he could play roles with multiple personalities
- the way the you phrase things could cue someone to take on another personality
What is Dissociative Amnesia?
Type of dissociative disorder in which a person experiences memory losses in the absence of any identifiable organic cause
- this memory loss is reversible
- usually localized amnesia
-General knowledge and skills usually retained
Do dissociative disorders get diagnosed right away?
No, first have to be sure there are no other explanations for the behaviour
What is Malingering?
A type of dissociative amnesia
-faking illness so as to avoid or escape work or other duties, or to obtain benefits
What is dissociative amnesia with fugue?
Type of dissociative disorder in which one suddenly flies from one’s life situation, travels to a new location, assumes a new identity, and has amnesia for past personal material
- person retains skills and abilities that may appear to others in new place as someone leading normal life
- once the old memories come back, they typically don’t remember the time in the fugue state
What is Depersonalization Disorder?
- disorder characterized by persistent or recurrent episodes of depersonalization
- feeling detachment of unreality from one’s self or body (as if you are on autopilot, observing self from outside)
What is derealization?
Part of depersonalization disorder
- characterized by the sense that one’s surroundings have become strange or unreal
- ex.) colours may seem washed out or brights, time may seem slowed down
- still maintain contact with reality, know who they are
What is psychodynamic perspective on Dissociative disorders?
-Repression: leads to splitting off from consciousness of unacceptable impulses and painful memories
What is the Learning Perspective on dissociative disorders?
- “not thinking”
- it is a learned response that involves not thinking about disturbing acts or thoughts in order to avoid feelings of guilt and shame evoked by such experiences
What does Spanos believe about dissociative disorders?
-It is role playing as a result of observational learning and reinforcement
