DISSOCIATIVE DISORDERS
Dissociative Disorders are characterized by an involuntary escape from reality
3 Major Types
Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)
Depersonalization-Derealization Disorder
Dissociative Amnesia
Dissociative Amnesia is where a person forgets information that is too extensive to attribute to absent-mindfulness; inability to recall personal information
DID is when a person has alter personalities that interchange; more than one distinct personality state
Depersonalization-Derealization Disorder is when a person feels like he/she is detached from his/her own body; feels like he/she is watching from the outside
The main cause of Dissociative Amnesia is linked to the overwhelming stress that the patient experienced or witnessed (Frey, R. J., n.d.)
The main cause of DID is connected to traumatic experiences such as death of a family member and/or abuse that occurred in childhood (American Psychiatric Association, 2013)
The main cause of Depersonalization-Derealization Disorder is linked to an imbalance of certain neurotransmitters (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2014)
differential diagnosis: no recurrent amnesia
Differential Diagnosis: symptoms of other dissociative disorders should not occur for this disorder to be diagnosed
differential diagnosis: division of identity
The prominent symptom of Dissociative Amnesia is having severe memory loss wherein one
cannot recall information about oneself/events/people in life especially from a traumatic time. (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2017)
The prominent symptom of Depersonalization-Derealization Disorder is the continuing sense of detachment from oneself; world may seem unreal and strange.
The prominent symptom of DID is the feeling as though possessed by other identities. There is a different name, personal history and characteristics, obvious changes in voice, gender, mannerisms and physical qualities per identity. (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2017)
treatment
treatment
treatment
Dissociative Diorder is also a disconnection between thoughts, identity, consciousness, and memory (National Alliance on Mental Illness, n.d.)
To be able to rebuild the capacity for trusting healthy relationships (Chu, 2011;ISSTD,2011)
Goal: Be able to integrate all the alter personalities into one coherent personality
Make the other identities aware of one another
determine the role of each identity
Make integration and let them understand the trauma; make use of their memories and strengths to build a one coherent personality
Hypnosis (Putnam & Lowenstein,1993)
culturally adapted treatments; indigenous healers (Martinez-Taboas, 2005; Spiegel et al.,2011)
Psychological Counselling
Cognitive behavioral therapy
Psychodynamic therapy
No medications
But medications for depression and anxiety may help
Psychotherapy
Supportive environment
Hypnosis
Manage painful events
Learn new coping skills