Dissociative, Neurodevelopmental, and Personality Disorders: Definitions & Treatments

Dissociative Disorders

Disorders characterized by disruptions in consciousness, memory, identity, emotion, perception, or behavior

Dissociative Amnesia

Inability to remember important personal information due to psychological trauma (not physical brain damage)

Fugue

Sudden travel away from home with memory loss and possible new identity

Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)

Presence of two or more distinct identities with memory gaps

Cause of Dissociative Disorders

Usually severe trauma or stress, often from childhood abuse

Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Disorders that begin in childhood and affect development and behavior

ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder)

Inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that interferes with functioning

Causes of ADHD

Brain differences (prefrontal cortex, limbic system) and genetics

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Impairments in social communication and repetitive behaviors

Causes of ASD

Combination of genetics and prenatal environmental factors

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Disorder involving obsessions and compulsions

Obsessions

Intrusive, unwanted thoughts

Compulsions

Repetitive behaviors done to reduce anxiety from obsessions

Hoarding

Compulsive need to collect and keep items

Biological Causes of OCD

Genetics and overactive frontal cortex

Behavioral/Cognitive Causes

Learned behaviors and maladaptive thought patterns

Eating Disorders

Disorders involving unhealthy eating that harms physical/mental health

Anorexia Nervosa

Extreme weight loss, fear of gaining weight, distorted body image

Bulimia Nervosa

Binge eating followed by purging (vomiting, laxatives, etc.)

Symptoms of PTSD

Flashbacks, hypervigilance, insomnia, emotional detachment

Personality Disorders

Long-term patterns of behavior that deviate from cultural norms and cause distress

Cluster A (Odd/Eccentric)

Paranoid, Schizoid, Schizotypal

Cluster B (Dramatic/Emotional)

Antisocial, Borderline, Histrionic, Narcissistic

Cluster C (Anxious/Fearful)

Avoidant, Dependent, Obsessive-Compulsive

Evidence-Based Treatment

Therapy supported by research

Deinstitutionalization

Releasing patients from hospitals due to better medications