Question

Define and describe three dissociative disorders Explain how these disorders differ from one another

Short answer

Dissociative disorders involve disruptions in a person's consciousness, which can impact their identity, memory, or perception. Three types are Dissociative Identity Disorder (multiple personalities), Dissociative Amnesia (memory loss), and Depersonalization-Derealization Disorder (feeling of disconnection or unreal perspective).

Step-by-step solution

Define Dissociative Disorder

A dissociative disorder is a type of psychological disorder that involves a break in how a person's mind normally works. This can affect memory, identity, or perception and can lead to dramatic changes in behavior.

Describing Dissociative Identity Disorder

Dissociative Identity Disorder, formerly known as multiple personality disorder, is characterized by the presence of two or more distinct identities or personality states. The different personalities alternately show in a person's behavior and thinking patterns.

Describing Dissociative Amnesia

Dissociative Amnesia is characterized by a person experiencing memory gaps related to stressful or traumatic events in their life. This isn't related to a medical condition and is more than normal forgetfulness; the amnesia can be specific to a certain event or time period, or can be more general (generalized amnesia).

Describing Depersonalization-Derealization Disorder

Depersonalization-Derealization Disorder involves a persistent or recurrent feeling of being detached or disconnected from oneself, observing oneself from an unreal perspective, or experiencing a lack of connection between the self and one's feelings.

Highlighting differences between the three disorders

Dissociative Identity Disorder involves a person exhibiting multiple personalities, while Dissociative Amnesia involves memory loss related to specific events. Depersonalization-Derealization Disorder, meanwhile, involves a feeling of detachment or disconnection from oneself. The key difference is the main symptom (multiple personalities, amnesia, or feelings of detachment).

Key concepts

Dissociative Identity Disorder

Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) is a complex psychological condition. It used to be known as "multiple personality disorder." In someone with DID, there are two or more distinct identities or personality states. This means that the person's behavior, thinking, and perception can change drastically, depending on which identity is in control.

These identities may have their own names, ages, histories, and characteristics. They can even have different ways of speaking or behaving. Often, people with DID experience memory gaps about everyday events, personal information, or traumas. This happens because different identities may hold different memories.

• What causes DID? It is often linked to severe trauma during early childhood, usually extreme physical, emotional, or sexual abuse.
• How is DID managed? Therapy, especially trauma-focused therapy, can help integrate the identities into a single stream of consciousness.

Dissociative Amnesia

Dissociative Amnesia is another form of dissociative disorder that is characterized by significant gaps in memory. Unlike regular forgetfulness, this disorder involves missing memories of events, experiences, or information that would ordinarily be unforgettable. Importantly, these memory gaps often relate to trauma or stress.

This amnesia can be specific to particular events or time periods (localized amnesia), or it can be more generalized, affecting the person's entire life history or identity. Despite the substantial memory loss, individuals with dissociative amnesia are not aware that they are missing these memories.

• Common triggers: Typically related to intense stress or traumatic experiences.
• Treatment options: Psychotherapy is often used to help recover and process lost memories, and to address the underlying causes of the disorder.

Depersonalization-Derealization Disorder

Depersonalization-Derealization Disorder involves periods of feeling disconnected or detached from one's own body and thoughts, which is known as depersonalization. Alternatively, derealization involves feeling disconnected from one’s surroundings as if the world around is not real.

During episodes, people might feel like they are watching themselves from outside their body or that the world around them is like a movie or a dream. This disorder can be distressing because it affects the perception of reality, but the person is usually aware that these perceptions are not accurate.

• Key symptoms: Persistent or recurrent experiences of feeling detached from one’s mental processes or body (depersonalization) and/or surroundings (derealization).
• Typical causes: Can be triggered by stress, trauma, or anxiety, but often, no single cause is identified.
• Approach to treatment: Therapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), is common and can help individuals reframe their experiences.