Abnormal Psychology: Dissociative Disorders

Alexander Street Videos: 19:00
We all may have times that we are unaware of our actions--where we go on "autopilot" so that our mind wanders to some other place while our body goes through the motions. Maybe we've been so caught up in a thought while driving that we've been going for miles without even realizing it. Or in an emotional moment, like after a break-up or losing a job, we may feel overwhelmed, so that minutes pass without us even knowing how we spent them. It could even be that at some random moment, we’ve experienced a surreal kind of detachment, where we feel disconnected from our thoughts, bodies or surroundings. For most of us, these moments of dissociation pass, and even when we may find them troubling, they usually don't cause ongoing and significant distress in our lives. For some people, however, this dissociation not only persists, but can make so that a person has no memory of an aspect, or aspects, of their lives...

ProQuest: 1:02:23
Despite the feeling of being irretrievably damaged, all humans have a brain capable of visualizing or imagining experiences of acceptance, closeness, and comfort that evoke the same somatic sensations associated with early secure attachment. Helping clients discover their split-off younger selves and imaginatively bring them “home” spontaneously leads to an internal sense of warmth and safety they have never known. In this presentation, we will explore the therapeutic power of using somatic experience to foster internal attachment to clients’ most deeply disowned younger selves.

(Cleveland Clinic) Many people experience symptoms of a depersonalization/derealization disorder during their life. You may feel disconnected from yourself or your surroundings. These feelings may not be cause for alarm. But if they interfere with your life, talk to your healthcare provider so you can get treatment.

(Cleveland Clinic) Dissociative amnesia is when you can’t remember important information about yourself. These memories are often distressing or upsetting events. It’s most likely to happen with severe or long-term trauma, especially experiencing abuse, neglect or violence of any kind. This condition is treatable, and most people can regain their memories.

(NHS) Dissociative disorders are a range of conditions that can cause physical and psychological problems.

(Cleveland Clinic) There are three dissociative disorders, including dissociative identity disorder, dissociative amnesia and depersonalization/derealization disorder. These conditions typically develop as a response to trauma. They’re treatable — usually with psychotherapy (talk therapy).

(APA Dictionary of Psychology) in DSM–IV–TR, a dissociative disorder in which the individual suddenly and unexpectedly travels away from home or a customary place of daily activities and is unable to recall some or all of his or her past.

(Cleveland Clinic) Dissociative fugue is a symptom where a person with memory loss travels or wanders. That leaves the person in an unfamiliar setting with no memory of how they got there. This symptom usually happens with conditions caused by severe trauma. People usually regain their memories but almost always need mental health care to help them fully recover.

(National Library of Medicine) This activity reviews the evaluation and treatment of dissociative identity disorder and explains the role of an interprofessional team in caring for patients diagnosed with dissociative identity disorder (DID). This activity also reviews the association between DID and suicidal behavior.

(APA Dictionary of Psychology) a dissociative disorder characterized by the presence in one individual of two or more distinct identities or personality states that each recurrently take control of the individual’s behavior.

(Cleveland Clinic) Dissociative identity disorder (DID) is a mental health condition where you have two or more separate personalities that control your behavior at different times. When personalities switch, you’ll have gaps in your memory. The identities are usually caused by living through trauma. Psychotherapy can help you manage your symptoms.

(American Psychiatric Association) Dissociative disorders involve problems with memory, identity, emotion, perception, behavior and sense of self. Dissociative symptoms can potentially disrupt every area of mental functioning.