Dissociative Disorders

Dissociative disorders

have the essential feature of a disruption in the usually integrated functions of consciousness, memory, identity, or environmental perceptions. This often interferes with the person’s relationships, ability to function in daily life, and ability to cope with the realities of the abusive or traumatic event.

Dissociation

is a sub-conscious defense mechanism that helps a person protect his or her emotional self from recognizing the full effects of some horrific or traumatic event by allowing the mind to forget or remove itself from the painful situation or memory.

True

True or false:

are these the common signs of symptoms of dissociative disorders:

• Memory loss

• detached from yourself

• distorted and unreal perception of the people

• blurred sense of identity

• inability to cope

• mental health problems

Dissociative amnesia, dissociative identity disorder, depersonalization/derealization disorder

What are the three major dissociative disorders?

Fugue experience

the client suddenly moves to a new geographic location with no memory of past events, and often the assumption of a new identity.

Dissociative amnesia

the client cannot remember important personal information (usually of a traumatic or stressful nature). This includes fugue experience where the client suddenly moves to a new geographic location with no memory of past events, and often the assumption of a new identity.

Dissociative identity disorder

the client displays two or more distinct identities or personality states that recurrently take control of his or her behavior. This is accompanied by the inability to recall important personal information.

Depersonalization/derealization disorder

he client has a persistent or recurrent feeling of being detached from his or her mental process or body(depersonalization) or sensation of being in a dream-like state where the environment seems foggy or unreal(derealization).The client is not psychotic or out of touch of reality.

Core identity

A person with DID has two or more distinct identities. The ____ is the person’s usual personality

Alters

are the person’s alternate personalities

True

True or false:

Each alter has a particular set of behaviors, attitudes, preferences, memories and ways of thinking. Other people may be able to tell the difference between the alters, as well as the person with DID. Shifting from one alter to another is involuntary and sudden.

True

True or false:

Another symptom of DID is ongoing gaps in memory about everyday events, personal information and/or past traumatic events.

Amnesia that comes on suddenly

In dissociative amnesia, the main symptom is an episode of?

Localized, Selective, Generalized

What are the three types of amnesia?

Localized

you can’t remember an event or period of time (the most common form of amnesia).

Selective

You can’t remember certain details of events within a given period of time

Generalized

You can’t remember anything about your identity and life history (the rarest form).

Depersonalization

This involves feelings of unreality or of being detached from your mind, body or self. It feels as if you’re observing your life and the events from afar rather than being an active participant.

Derealization

This involves feelings of unreality or of being detached from your surroundings. People and things may not seem real.

True

True or false:

Th symptoms for depersonalization/derealization disorder may start as early as childhood

way to cope with trauma

Dissociative disorders usually develop as a?

Psychotherapy

takes place with a trained, licensed mental health professional, such as a psychologist or psychiatrist. It can provide support, education and guidance to you and/or your family to help you function better and increase your well-being.

Cognitive behavioral therapy

This is a structured, goal-oriented type of psychotherapy. Your therapist or psychologist helps you take a close look at your thoughts and emotions. Through this you can unlearn negative thoughts and behaviors and learn to adopt healthier thinking patterns and habits.

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)

is specially adapted for people who experience emotions very intensely. The main goal is to strike a balance between validation(acceptance) of who you are and your challenges and the benefits of change. Your therapist will help you learn new skills to improve emotion regulation.

Hypnosis

is a state of deep relaxation and focused concentration. When you’re under hypnosis, this intense level of concentration and focus allows you to ignore ordinary distractions and be more open to guided suggestions to make changes to improve your health.

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing

therapy involves moving your eyes as specific way while you process traumatic memories. Its goal is to help you heal from trauma or other distressing life experiences. Compared to other therapy methods, it is relatively new.

Adjustment disorder

a reaction to a stressful event that causes problems for the individuals. The person has more than the expected difficulty coping with or assimilating the event into his or her life.

Acute stress disorder

occurs after a traumatic event and is characterized by reexperiencing, avoidance, and hyperarousal that occur from 3 days to 4 weeks following a trauma.

-This can be a precursor to PTSD.

Anxiety

is a normal reaction to stress and can be beneficial in some situations

• dread or apprehension

• It can alert us to dangers and help us prepare and pay attention

Anxiety

vague feeling of dread or apprehension; it is a response to external or internal stimuli that can have behavioral, emotional, cognitive, and physical symptoms.

Fear

which is feeling of afraid or threatened by a clearly identifiable external stimulus that presents danger to the person.

Stress

the wear and tear that life causes on the body. It occurs when a person has difficulty dealing with life situations, problems, and goals.

Alarm reaction stage, resistance stage, exhaustion stage

What are the three stages of Hans Selye’s General Adaptation Syndrome?

Alarm reaction stage

refers to the initial symptoms the body experiences when under stress. The “fight-or-flight” response, which is a physiological response to stress occurs in this stage. This natural reaction prepares you to either flee or protect yourself in dangerous situations.

Resistance stage

After the initial shock of a stressful event and having a fight-or-flight response, the body begins torepair itself. It releases a lower amount of cortisol; the heart rate and blood pressure begin to normalize. Although the body enters this recovery phase, it remains on high alert for a while. If a person overcome stress and the situation is no longer an issue, the body continues to repair itself until the hormone levels , heart rate, and blood pressure reach a pre-stress state.

Signs of the resistance stage include:

• irritability

• frustration

•poor concentration

Exhaustion stage

This stage is the result of prolonged or chronic stress. Struggling with stress for long periods can drain your physical, emotional, and mental resources to the point where the body no longer has strength to fight stress. A person may give up or feel your situation is hopeless. Signs of exhaustion include:

•fatigue

•burnout

•depression

•anxiety

•decreased stress tolerance

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The physical effects of this stage also weaken the immune system and put you at risk for stress-related illnesses.

Mild anxiety

is very close to normal everyday worries and stress. Symptoms of mild anxiety are usually fidgeting, sweating, heightened senses, or irritability.

• sometimes referred to as situational anxiety (it resolves itself once the situation is over).

Moderate anxiety

is more focused than mild anxiety. Some of the symptoms of specific level of anxiety include stomach pains, racing heartbeat, sweating or dry mouth. Exaggerated hand/arm movements, rapid speech or high-pitched voices are also common

Severe anxiety

has much of the same symptoms as mild, and moderate anxiety. Added symptoms of vomiting, chest pain, pounding heartbeat, diarrhea, scattered thoughts, or erratic behavior, and a sense of dread or impending doom.

• Ability to make decisions is impaired. Recognizing one’s own needs can even be difficult. Redirection is unlikely to work, and the anxiety does not go away easily.

Panic anxiety

is the most intense level of anxiety.

• Some people experience an inability to move or function. While others have the opposite reaction and run with no ability to stop themselves or sit down. Perceptions can become distorted and rational thinking is next to impossible.