Dissociative disorders

dissociation

disruption/alteration in identity, memory or consciousness. not necessarily pathological but can be

dissociative amnesia

unable to recall significant episodic memories (somatic/implicit not typically impaired). typically follows a traumatic event

localized amnesia

most common type in D.A. forgetting every event within a specific time period

selective amnesia

type of D.A. forgetting some of a specific time but remembering some

generalized amnesia

rarest type of D.A. when someone loses all autobiographical memories and forgets who they are

dissociative fugue

generalized amnesia accompanies by unexplained travel/wandering. can last days-months then they snap out of it

depersonalization/derealization disorder

persistent, distressing episodes of depersonalization and derealization. aware of what is real still.

depersonalization

deep detatchment from self: thoughts, emotions, actions etc

derealization

deep detachment from the world around you. dreamlike fog. may have auditory/visual distortions

dissociative identity disorder

when someone has 2+ distinct personality traits and recurrent dissociative amnesias.

host personality

part of DID that occurs most often/presents for treatment

subpersonalities

parts of DID that are distinct personality states/alters

co conscious

most common pattern of subpersonalities where most are aware of the others

the malingering model of DID

some people intentionally fabricate DID symptoms to get away with stuff (eg kenneth bianchi)

trauma model of DID

DID= vulnerable personality + childhood trauma. (diathesis-stress model.) internal escape reinforced over time because it works until it becomes involuntary disorder

sociocultural model of DID

DID= suggestible patient + therapist reinforcement. evidence: only therapists who strongly believe in it diagnose it. most people diagnosed have been in therapy for a very long time and have suggestible personalities