This paper discusses various categories of dissociative disorders: Dissociative Identity Disorder, Dissociative Amnesia, Dissociative Fugue and Depersonalization Disorder.
Abstract This paper explains that dissociation is a defense mechanism against trauma, which helps remove victims of trauma from the experience at the time when it occurs, allowing them to delay working through the trauma. The author points out that the cause of dissociative identity disorder is unknown, but histories of patients diagnosed with this disorder indicate that a commonality is a traumatic event such as childhood physical or sexual abuse, commonly incestuous, the death of a close relative or friend during childhood or witnessing a trauma or a death. The paper relates that the symptoms of dissociative amnesia and fugue tend to disappear spontaneously; therapy can focus on the stressful factors, which may trigger an episode, or on treating accompanying depressive states.
Table of Contents
Categories
Dissociative Identity Disorder
History
Description
Diagnostic Criteria (DSM-IV)
Etiology
Psychodynamic Perspective
Behavioral Perspective
Treatment
Dissociative Amnesia
Diagnostic Criteria (DSM-IV)
Types of Dissociative Amnesia
Etiology
Dissociative Fugue
Etiology
Diagnostic Criteria (DSM-IV)
Treatment of Dissociative Amnesia and Fugue
Depersonalization Disorder
Etiology
Diagnostic Criteria (DSM-IV)
Treatment
From the Paper "Different parts of the personality are alternately allowed to be expressed or remain repressed at any one time. They cannot coexist due to the intense anxiety that would result. Therefore, each is sealed off from the others. You might think of a rock being split in many pieces and each separate piece forming its own space that becomes sealed off from the other pieces. It is believed that the split occurs because the child who is exposed to a traumatic event and unable to escape dissociates and takes on other personalities to cope with the pain. It is also believed that person's who are susceptible to hypnosis are more likely to develop this disorder when exposed to severe trauma."
Abstract This paper discusses dissociative disorders and the types of behavior that are associated with dissociative disorders. The paper first provides a short history on mental illnesses and defines dissociative disorders. The paper then addresses the diagnostic methods for dissociative disorders and also the syndromes that might surface. In addition, the paper gives several examples of dissociative disorders such as dissociative fugue, depersonalization disorder and dissociative identity disorder. The paper also discusses several treatment methods for dissociative disorders.
From the Paper "Before a person is said to have a mental disorder, he needs to be diagnosed to determine the factors that contributed to his or her present condition and to properly administer the necessary treatment. Dissociative disorders vary in their seriousness and the unexpectedness of occurrence. The gravity of illness may vary, depending on the person's exposure to events that may have triggered such disorder. Certain factors such as traumatic experiences can cause moderate or severe forms of dissociation. These traumatic memories such as physical torture, sexual and emotional abuse, frightening event like accident, and other forms of harassment are stored in the human brain differently as compared to the normal memories."
Abstract This paper provides an insight into dissociative disorders and dissociative identity disorder (DID, or formerly called multiple personality disorder)and the separation of mental processes such as memory or consciousness that are normally integrated. It discusses how through the analysis of several findings and theories regarding dissociative disorder, the close connection between development of dissociative disorders and the self can be observed. It shows how the most significant implication might be that, in childhood, circumstances that create a conflict in the self undermine healthy development of the self and personalities and how in the worst cases, this conflict possibly leads to dissociative disorders as intrafamilial abuse exemplifies.
From the Paper "Dissociative disorders have intrigued not only mental professionals but also the public with their extraordinary symptoms. In fact, there are a number of books and movies that deal with dissociative disorders such as the famous book by Thigpen and Cleckley (1957), ?The Three Faces of Eve,? which later became a motion picture. Dissociative disorders are characterized by "persistent, maladaptive disruptions in the integration of memory, consciousness, or identity" (Oltmanns & Emery, 2001). Due to the limited methodology to empirically test dissociative disorders, the entire concept of these psychological disorders is still controversial, and researchers can only offer theoretical ideas about how they work and are developed."
Abstract This research proposal examines the use of traditional five element acupuncture in the treatment of patients with severe chronic dissociative disorders. It explains dissociative disorders from the Western medical perspective and discusses the role played by the psyche and emotions in ancient Chinese medicine. The paper then looks at the Chinese view of dissociative disorders in both historical and contemporary medical thinking and investigates the role of traditional five element acupuncture in the treatment of dissociative disorders.
Table of Contents:
Aim
Objectives
Background
Preliminary Literature Review
Methodology
Research Strategy
From the Paper "Modern Chinese writings (in translation) will also be consulted. A brief literature search looking for information on the treatment of dissociative disorders using TCM and acupuncture has been carried out. It does appear that the problem of hysteria is recognised in China and treatment protocols are available (Garvey 2001). Adjunctive treatment approaches that incorporate acupuncture, though, must be carefully tailored to both the individual patient and to the stage of treatment (Goodwin & Attias). Indeed, a number of complementary and alternative medicine approaches to the treatment of dissociative disorders have emerged in recent years. Besides acupuncture, these alternative treatment modalities include body work, including exercise programs, massage, martial arts and techniques like rolfing; relaxation and meditation disciplines like yoga; movement and music therapies; psychodrama; wilderness therapy; sex therapy; and the art therapies, including use of drawing, sculpture and clay work, mask making, collage and sandtray work (which includes some elements from play therapy) (Goodwin & Attias). According to these authors, "All of these adjunctive modalities can lead to body flashbacks that must then be brought into the verbal therapy and translated and worked through at that level" (Goodwin & Attias, p. 174)."
Abstract The paper provides a Summary of the movie "Fight Club" and analyzes the main character's symptoms that suggest he suffers from a mental illness. The paper explores the signs, symptoms and diagnosis of dissociative identity disorder as well as its causes and the treatments available for this disorder.
Outline:
Summary of the Movie "Fight Club
Diagnosis of the Character's Mental Illness
Signs and Symptoms and Diagnosis of Dissociative Identity Disorder
Causes of Dissociative Identity Disorder
Treatment of Patients with Dissociative Disorders
From the Paper "This movie is about a man who is caught up with his own demons. He is an ordinary man working for an insurance company. His job entailed him to travel around the country, being enslaved by his work. He was caught up in a stressful life where he breathed nothing else but work. He was always tired, unable to sleep for days. He was caught in his condominium-enclosed life of consumerism. He became enslaved by buying appliances and furniture, and during the day, he worked and did what he was told by his boss. He sought help from the doctor for his sleeplessness, and the doctor advised him to attend a Prostate Cancer Group, where the gist of the story begins. He began to attend self-help groups, and by attending these, he was able to find solace. He was able to sleep, and was able to let out his built-in emotions. He became addicted to this kind of living."
This paper discusses disorders regarding the mechanism of dissociation, in which the mind separates or compartmentalizes certain unpleasant or painful memories or thoughts from normal consciousness.
Abstract In this article, the writer explains that dissociation is a disruption in the usually integrated functions of consciousness, memory, identity or perception of the environment. The writer discusses that dissociative disorders interfere with a person's general functioning, including social relationships and work. In this paper, the writer focuses attention on the phenomenon of dissociate identity disorder (D.I.D.). The writer discusses causes of D.I.D. and possible responses. Further, the writer looks at related treatment or therapy.
From the Paper "The human brain stores traumatic memories differently from normal memories. Traumatic memories are dissociated or separated and can break into consciousness without warning and the person cannot control these memories. They do not combine with normal memories and, in time, these traumatic ones can change one's personality and develop dissociative identity disorder or multiple personality disorder. Dissociative identity disorder or D.I.D. has several levels of severity and begins suddenly. It is a new phenomenon in the US and, as such, is often misdiagnosed. D.I.D. is considered the most severe form of all dissociative disorders. Causes of D.I.D. include an innate ability to dissociate easily, repeated and sever physical or sexual abuse in childhood, lack of supportive person who counteracts the abuse, and the influence of other relatives who already have the disorder or its symptoms."
This paper discusses disorders regarding the mechanism of dissociation, in which the mind separates or compartmentalizes certain unpleasant or painful memories or thoughts from normal consciousness.
Abstract In this article, the writer explains that dissociation is a disruption in the usually integrated functions of consciousness, memory, identity or perception of the environment. The writer discusses that dissociative disorders interfere with a person's general functioning, including social relationships and work. In this paper, the writer focuses attention on the phenomenon of dissociate identity disorder (D.I.D.). The writer discusses causes of D.I.D. and possible responses. Further, the writer looks at related treatment or therapy.
From the Paper "The human brain stores traumatic memories differently from normal memories. Traumatic memories are dissociated or separated and can break into consciousness without warning and the person cannot control these memories. They do not combine with normal memories and, in time, these traumatic ones can change one's personality and develop dissociative identity disorder or multiple personality disorder. Dissociative identity disorder or D.I.D. has several levels of severity and begins suddenly. It is a new phenomenon in the US and, as such, is often misdiagnosed. D.I.D. is considered the most severe form of all dissociative disorders. Causes of D.I.D. include an innate ability to dissociate easily, repeated and sever physical or sexual abuse in childhood, lack of supportive person who counteracts the abuse, and the influence of other relatives who already have the disorder or its symptoms."
Abstract This paper explains that, in Dissociative Identity Disorder, an individual's identity dissociates, or fragments, creating additional identities that exist independently of each other within the individual, with each personality specifically distinct from the other in such characteristics as tone of voice, mannerisms, vocabulary, and posture. The author points out that the main personality, the one seeking psychiatric help, is called the 'host', although it generally is not the individual's original personality, but rather one developed along the way. The paper reports that treatment mainly consists of psychotherapy using outpatient hypnosis with the goal to deconstruct the different personalities and to unite them into one, which takes from a minimum of three to five years, or six or more years for more complex patients.
From the Paper "Treatment of DID is a long and difficult process and success, the total integration of identity, is rare. One 1990 study found that roughly one-fourth, five of the twenty patients studied, were successfully treated. Treatment involves having DID patients recall childhood memories and often includes hypnosis to help the patient remember because the memories are often subconscious. There is need for caution however, as recovered memories can be so traumatic for the patient that they may cause more harm."
Abstract The paper explains that dissociative identity disorder is a psychological condition in which traumatic memories become disconnected from a person's normal awareness, or consciousness, thereby shielding the person from the pain or fear associated with the trauma. The paper explains that it causes the individual to experience her psyche/identity as disconnected or split into distinct parts. The paper lists the recognized types of dissociative disorders and the most common symptoms.
From the Paper "Dissociative disorders are uncommon, affecting an estimated 1 percent to 2 percent of the population. This kind of disorder affects females more often than males and most often begin whenever the abuse or traumatic event occurred (http://www.clevelandclinic.org/health/health-info/docs/2800/2819.asp?index=9786&src=news, 2002). Many have tried to give a full and much detailed definition on Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), because there have been an increasing number of reported cases of this 'illness'."
Abstract This paper analyzes and reviews three articles about dissociative personality disorder in order to consider how the conceptual framework for this disorder has changed over the last 50 years. The three articles were read carefully and summarized for basic themes, definitions, and differences. The first article entitled "Multiple Personality Disorder" by W.S. Taylor and M.F. Martin, written in 1944, was one of the first works on this disorder. The next article, "The Osiris Complex," by Colin A. Ross, describes the condition as growing out of childhood abuse and psychological trauma. The third article, titled "Multiple Personality Disorder: Witchcraft Survives in the Twentieth Century," by August Piper, Jr points out some troublesome aspects of the illness, which include more alternate personalities than earlier researchers believed could exist. The reviewer concludes by stating that todays view of dissociative identity disorder is one personality divided into abnormally personified components.
From the Paper " An article titled "Multiple Personality Disorder" written in 1944 by Taylor & Martin was located for comparison to two articles written more recently, "The Osiris Complex: Case Studies in Multiple Personality Disorder" (Ross, 2000) and "Multiple Personality Disorder: Witchcraft Survives in the Twentieth Century" (Piper, 1998). The 1944 article is frequently cited in articles written since 1980 and is considered a seminal work. Because two strands of thought regarding the disorder exist today, it was necessary to compare the old article to two contrasting concepts as articulated in the two more recent articles. The three articles were read carefully and summarized for basic themes, definitions, and differences."
Abstract In this article, the writer notes that living with a chronic mental illness or problem can be exceedingly difficult, and those that struggle with dissociation often experience many of the same problems. The writer points out that the basic assumptions of the psychiatric model are inconsistent with nursing practice, and therefore nurses who are asked to treat those who have chronic mental, behavioral, or emotional problems often have a great deal of difficulty adjusting their feelings and beliefs about what the patient should be treated for to fit in with the guidelines proposed by this model, which can cause disagreements and issues between doctors, patients, and families. A critique of the psychiatric medical model shows that this particular model views emotional problems that stem from abuse and other issues as though they were diseases. The writer then provides a review of related literature and looks at various related assumptions in this regard.
Outline:
Studies Involving Childhood Sexual Abuse and Dissociation Studies Involving Childhood Sexual Abuse and Self-Destructive Behavior
Studies Examining all Three Variables
Bibliography
From the Paper "Because the diagnostic tests for mental and emotional issues are so rigid and strict, the whole person is not examined. The lack of flexibility creates a restricted view of the individual who has come to seek help, and the process of giving patients these diagnostic tests becomes not one of helping them, but rather of classifying them into a specific category. While it is acknowledged that it is important to attempt to find what is 'wrong' with these individuals in order to treat them in the most appropriate way, individuals must be studied and classified on an individual basis. No two people who act the same way are exactly alike, and the diagnostic tests make it far too easy to assign someone to a category without really understanding the depth and nature of their problems."
Abstract This paper discusses how in the book "The Dissociation of a Personality", Dr. Morton Prince produces what he calls in the subtitle "A Biographical Study in Abnormal Psychology." It looks at how the book is a close study of one patient, identified as Miss Christine L. Beauchamp who displays multiple personalities, a controversial condition about which psychiatrists continue to argue to this day, with some believing that it is a condition that identifies a real syndrome while others believe it is a misdiagnosis and does not describe a real condition at all. It evaluates how Dr. Prince is clearly convinced by his patient that this is a true psychological manifestation which manifests itself in a series of personalities that can be distinguished even though they exist within the same mind.
From the Paper "In this early stage, Sally was only manifested under hypnosis, but later she awoke and came to life in her own right. Prince notes how Miss Beauchamp seemed to shift from waking to a day-dreaming state, allowing Chris to slip through and acquire an independent existence:
Sally had gotten her eyes open at last, and with the opening of he eyes she may be said to have been truly born into this world, though she claimed to have really existed before (96). Sally even decided to impersonate Miss Beauchamp so she could leave the hospital, but Prince found her just as she was about to go to Europe and brought her back."
Abstract This paper looks at dissociative identity disorder, also know as multiple personality disorder, one of the most controversial mental disorders and is subject to intense skepticism. It examines how the literature ranges from passionate discourses recognizing it as a real psychiatric disorder to equally passionate claims that it does not exist.
From the Paper "A proper diagnosis can be made only when the clinician determines that the person experiences alter personalities who can be identified and elicited. The clinician must "meet" at least one alter who is relatively enduring, recognized as unique in behavior, and assumes control from time to time. This process usually takes time, and the revelation may come not in the actual session with the clinician but in a telephone call by "a friend" or in a letter. Due to the nature of the disorder, it may be very difficult to obtain a history."
Abstract The paper defines dissociative identity disorder (DID). It examines alternative personalities, providing examples of typical types of alternative personalities. The author explores DID's symptoms and effects and in conclusion discusses the possibility of discovering a cure for a well recognized disorder.
Works Cited
From the Paper "Dissociative Identity Disorder, or DID, is a mental condition in which a single person believes that he or she contains two or more alters that co-exist independently from one another. Until 1994, DID was called Multiple Personality Disorder. The name was changed to reflect a better understanding of the disease, which is characterized by a fragmentation of identity rather than a multiplication of separate identities."
Abstract This paper examines the role of trauma in the etiology of Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) and some of the most successful treatments used to treat the disorder. The paper analyzes the disorder according to the DSM-IV, Sybil, and other articles of research.
Table of Contents:
DID According to the DSM-IV
Sybil's Story
In General: Treatment and Prognosis
From the Paper "Psychodynamically aware psychotherapy is the most commonly cited treatment orientation. Incorporating eclectic techniques, cognitive therapy methods can be modified to help patients explore and alter dysfunctional trauma-based belief systems; however, standard cognitive therapy protocols for depression and anxiety usually require modification when used in the treatment of DID. Most therapists employ hypnosis as a modality in the treatment of DID. The most common uses of hypnosis are for calming, soothing, containment, and ego strengthening. (Barach, 1994, para 12)"
