Dissociative Disorders by Jackelyn Ortiz, Mainue Vue & Pa Xiong

1. Dissociative Disorders by Jackelyn Ortiz, Mainue Vue & Pa Xiong AP Psychology Period 04

2. Dissociative Disorders • Dissociative Disorder (Formerly Known as Multiple Personality Disorders) • Dissociate means “separation/disconnection” • Disorder means “lack of order” • Definition: A disruption of and/or discontinuity in the normal integration of consciousness, memory, identity, emotion, perception, body representation, motor control, and behavior. • Our definition: A mental disorder that is distinguished by fugue (a period during which a person suffers from loss of memory) states and/or they consist of multiple personalities.

3. Diagnostic Criteria • Distribution of identity can be characterized by 2 or more various types of personality. According to some cultures, this divisions of identity may be identified as an experience of possession. This distribution in identity involves permanent interruption in sense of self & sense of agency (our ability to take action, be effective, influence our own life, and assume responsibility for our behaviors). It is also associated with related alternations in affect, behavior, consciousness, memory awareness, thinking, and/or sensor-motor functioning. These particular people can easily be recognized. • Repetitive cycle of loss of memory. Cannot recall everyday events, important personal information, and traumatic events. • The symptoms creates clinically significant anxiety in damaging social, occupational (job-related business), or other important areas of functioning. • The disturbance is not normally a part of common accepted socio-cultural practice. Note: In children, the symptoms are not better explained by imaginary playmates or other fantasy play. • The symptoms are not obtainable to the physiological effects of a substance or other medical cases.

4. Diagnostic features/Features supporting diagnosis • Diagnostic Features • The presence of two or more distinct personality states or an experience of possession (Criterion A). • Individuals vary in their awareness and attitude toward their amnesias. • Possession-form identities typically manifest as behaviors that appear as if a “spirit”, supernatural being, or outside person has taken control of the person speaking and acting in a different manner. • Features Supporting Diagnosis • comorbid depression, anxiety, substance abuse, self-injury, seizures, & common symptoms • Flashbacks of sensory reliving past events as it is occurring in the present.

5. Prevalence • Among the adults in the U.S community study was 1.5% • GENDERS: • Males: 1.6% • Females: 1.4%

6. Development & Course • Linked with overwhelming experiences, traumatic events, and/or abuse during childhood • In children, they may have problems with memory, concentration, attachment, and traumatic play. • Children present mainly with overlap and interference among mental states (Criterion A phenomena). • Older individuals present to late-life mood disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, paranoia, psychotic mood disorders, or even cognitive disorder due to dissociative amnesia. • Overt changes in identity may be triggered by: • Removal from traumatizing situation • Individuals' children reach the same age when they were abused or traumatized • Later traumatic experiences (ex: minor car accident) • The death of or illness of their abuser(s)

7. Culture-Related Diagnostic Issues/Gender FeaturesCulture-Related Diagnostic: • May show involuntary, distressing, uncontrollable, and persistent actions depending on they're surrounding family,social, or work. • May show unexplained symptoms like non-epileptic seizures,paralyses, or sensory loss in cultural setting were it is common. • Their identity may be spirits, deities, demons, animals, or mythical figures. • Gender Features: • Females have flashbacks, amnesia, fugue,functional neurological symptoms, hallucinations, and self mutilation. • Males show more criminal and violent behavior like combat or physical assaults. • Females with this disorder show more on adults than children.

8. Risks and Prognostic Factors • 70% outpatients attempted suicide with multiple attempts or self-injuries. • 90%of this disorder were involved in physical and sexual abuse. The other 10% had traumatizing experiences that include childhood medical, surgical procedures, war, childhood prostitution, and terrorism.

9. Differential Diagnosis • Other specified dissociative disorder. • Major depressive disorder. • Bipolar disorders. • Posttraumatic stress disorder. • Psychotic disorders. • Substance/medication-indused disorders. • Personality disorders. • Conversion disorder (functional neurological symptom disorder). • Seizure disorders. • Factitious disorder and malingering.

10. Case study • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=weLvkZGr9Tw

11. Group’s Perspective • Cognitive perspective because the people who have dissociative disorders suffer from memory loss. • The person with this disorder will always have many different personality. Also, they can NOT controlled it and do not know what they have done. • This disorder is cause by an abuser in that person childhood and to make them change in personality/behaviors due to the situation that is similar to the past. • This disorder is quite sad to be honest. The surrounding love ones may get enormously affected knowing that the treatments are only working for a temporary amount of time.