6. Somatic Symptom and Dissociative Disorders

Illness Anxiety Disorder

A disorder characterized by a cycle of worry of having a serious illness or developing one

• may sometimes have physical symptoms

Differential Diagnosis

A diagnostic technique of figuring out which diagnosis and treatment fits best for a person

Conversion Disorder

A disorder characterized by a presentation of neurological symptoms not explained by a medical condition or neurological disease

• typically involves one specific symptom

Factitious Disorder

A fabricated disorder for the sole purpose to receive medical attention

• fabricating symptoms of physical and psychological illness

• can be imposed on another

Dissociative Disorders

A disorder characterized by a dissociation that can’t be controlled and occurs unconsciously

• common in those who have been exposed to trauma

Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)

A disorder characterized by an identity disruption, with the presence of two or more distinct identities or personality states

• depersonalization and derealization

• self-injurious behaviour is common

Alternate Identities (Alters) (DID)

The identities that co-exist within an individual with DID

Switch (DID)

The transition from on alter to another, where one identity pushes the other one out of control

• typical experience of recurring memory gaps

Stage 1 of Trauma-focused Psychotherapy

A focus on stabilizing DID symptoms and safety issues

• creation of therapeutic alliance

Stage 2 of Trauma-focused Psychotherapy

A focus on working on the ability to regulate, affect, and manage symptoms

• processing, grieving, resolving trauma

Stage 3 of Trauma-focused Psychotherapy

A focus on the integration of dissociative self-states

• increase in social engagement

Dissociative Amnesia

A functional impairment resulting from an inability to remember autobiographical information

• often experienced in DID when an alter is in control

Retrograde Amnesia

An inability to recall memories, facts, or past experiences that occurred before the onset of a brain injury, disease, or psychological trauma

Anterograde Amnesia

An inability to form new long-term memories after the onset of a brain injury, disease, or psychological trauma, with pre-existing memories largely intact

Dissociative Fugue

A phenomenon when a person suddenly and unexpectedly travels to a new location and assumes a new identity with no recollection of their previous one

• may result from dissociation as a defence mechanism

Depersonalization/Derealization Disorder

A disorder characterized by episodes of feeling detached from the body or mental processes

• like an outside observer