Dissociative Disorder (DSM)

Danielle Ledoux
Dissociative Disorders (DSMV)
Professor Shayne
Abnormal Psychology-PSY215
Health professionals in the United States follow a standard classification of
mental disorders in order to diagnose those of whom who suffer from mental illness.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, commonly knows as the
DSM is primarily intended to be applicable to patients in a wide range of contexts. It is

used by clinicians as well as researchers in many different fields. The manual covers
many different orientations such as biological, psychodynamic, cognitive, behavioral,
interpersonal, and familial (Steinberg, M.) The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of
Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) is the most updated and current edition that is
most commonly used and designed to fit the needs of many clinical settings. Those who
work as physicians, psychologists, nurses, therapists, counselors and social workers
often use the DSM along with a wide range of other health and mental health
professionals. The DSM consists of three main and major components which include
the diagnostic classification, the diagnostic criteria sets and the descriptive text
(Steinberg, M.) The diagnostic classification is the official list of mental disorders in the
manual. Making a diagnosis from the DSM would consist of selecting from the disorders
based off the classifications that best describe the symptoms put forth by that of whom
is being evaluated. The diagnostic criteria indicates what symptoms must be present in
order to qualify an individual for a particular diagnosis. The descriptive text
systematically describes each disorder to make diagnosing a bit easier. One of the
disorders among the DSM-5 includes Dissociative Disorders.
In the simplest of definitions, dissociative disorders are conditions that show
extreme disruptions of memory, awareness, identity and perception. Pathologically as
well as involuntarily, people who suffer from dissociative disorders use dissociation as a
defense mechanism. The disorders are primarily known to be causes by any prior
psychological trauma. Rather than dealing with harsh reality after trauma, those who
suffer use dissociation as a reaction to stressful or traumatic external situations. Severe
or repeated traumas in one’s life may result in a person developing a form of
dissociative disorder. Situations that may cause the disorders range from traumas in
one’s home, whether being emotional, physical or sexual abuse (Kihlstrom, J. F.)
Dissociative disorders may also be developed from other traumas such as hostage
situations, war/violence, or grief from the loss of a family member, close friend or loved

one. Dissociation is a world wide reaction to intense trauma however some individuals
have it a lot more serious than others. Such disorders highly impair normal state of
awareness while the individuals sense of identity and consciousness is also effected
(Kihlstrom, J. F.)
In the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, the dissociative
disorders are broken down into four major entries. The first of which is Dissociative
Amnesia in which the disorder is characterized by one’s act of blocking out critical
personal information about one’s self after traumatic situations. People who suffer from
this disorder may have no memory of specific events, usually traumatic, that had
happened during their lifetime. Selective amnesia occurs through this disorder when a
person can only remember small portions of traumatic events that took place during a
certain period of time. For example, a sexual abuse victim may only recall some events
that happened during the time of their abuse. General amnesia occurs when the
individual diagnosed has a life which is entirely encompassed by their amnesia.
Dissociative fugue is a rare disorder under the dissociative disorders. A person
with dissociative fugue suddenly takes off. The individual will leave his or her
surroundings and go off on a journey of their own without any type of warning or
foreseeing. An individual may leave for hours, days or even months. Individuals who
suffer from fugue states are usually unaware of their identities and set off on journeys to
assume or find a new identity.
Dissociative Identity Disorder, often known as DID, has been commonly mistaken
for multiple personality disorder. Of the dissociative disorders, this is the most common
and most famous. Those who suffer from dissociative identity disorder assume two or
more distinct identities or better known as “personalities.” The personalities alternately
take control over the individual. The individual who switches personalities also
experiences memory loss while other identities take over. The memory loss cannot be
explained by common forgetfulness. The disorder is characterized mainly by a

fragmentation or splintering of identity. The identities altered between the individual may
have varying characteristics or qualities. The personalities may also vary in age, gender
and sexual identity. Personalities alter between being calm, quiet, loud, easily
aggravated, angry etc.
The last or fourth category under dissociate disorders is the Depersonalization
disorder which is marked by a constant feeling of detachment from one’s own physical
body. One may feel distanced from their own experience or self and feelings of
depersonalization are usually always recurrent. One with this type of disorder always
feels as if they are spacing out or as if they are in a dream. Individuals often relate the
experience of depersonalization disorder to watching their self live day to day as if they
are watching a movie on a screen. The disorder is noticeable among those who do not
suffer. The general public is able to sense when an individual with this disorder is not
“all there” as one would say. Sufferers of the disorder feel out of control when it comes
to their actions or physical movements, making it seem as if they could be intoxicated or
under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Those who are diagnosed with
depersonalization disorder have these out-of-body experiences so often that it heavily
disrupts one’s functioning and experience in day to day life. It may become severe
enough that the individual may believe that the external world is not real or is extremely
distorted.
These disorders affect people of all ages, ethnicities, races and socioeconomic
backgrounds. The total population of people who suffer from these dissociative
disorders is estimated at about 2%. Women, however, are more likely than men to be
diagnosed.
The main type of treatment for dissociative disorders is psychotherapy. The most
common forms of psychotherapy used are cognitive behavior therapy, dialectal behavior
therapy and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy. There are various
goals that an individual must overcome during the therapy. The patient should be able

to safely recall and process any painful memories that they are negatively impacted by.
In doing so, patients should develop positive coping skills which is the primary purpose
of cognitive behavioral therapy.
Dialectal behavioral therapy is used to teach coping skills as well, however, it
helps individuals cope with negative urges or impulses. Through this therapy, emotions
should be regulated and social relationships should improve. Patients are often put into
group work and mindfulness techniques such as meditation and regulated breathing are
also encouraged.
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing is designed to lessen distress
that comes with traumatic memories of an individual. Techniques help patients relearn
thought patterns with visual stimulation exercises to help recall traumatic memories.
Negative beliefs will hopefully be substituted by positive ones if the therapy is
successful. For those who suffer from dissociative identity disorder, it is likely that
therapists will try to help them integrate different identities into one functional personality
or person.
There is no drug that directly cures with treating dissociation disorders.
Medications, however, may be used to treat additional symptoms that patients often
experience with dissociative disorders such as anxiety or depression. Patients often
benefit from using antidepressant or anti-anxiety medications while suffering from
dissociative disorders.
Some people with dissociative disorders are able to function well in social
situations whether it be at home, at work or at school. Only close friends and family of
those who suffer are aware of one’s inner struggles. If untreated, however, sufferers of
the dissociative disorders may have recurrent feelings of low self esteem, self hatred
and self destructive feelings. If a diagnosis is delayed, a person who suffers from any of
the four disorders may have difficulty maintaing healthy relationships with others as well
as with themselves. If left untreated or undiagnosed, many potential years could be

spent going through unnecessary suffering which can lead to worsening depression or
self destructive behaviors. Although there are not medications to directly treat the
disorders, there are medications that can be taken along with a form of psychotherapy
that will help to sooth the eery symptoms.
References
Fawcett, J., M.D. (2005). Associating with dissociative disorders. Psychiatric
Annals, 35(8), 618. Retrieved from http://ezproxy.snhu.edu/ login?
url=http://search.proquest.com/docview/217050517? accountid=3783
Kihlstrom, J. F. (2005). DISSOCIATIVE DISORDERS. Annual Review of Clinical
Psychology, 1, 227-253. Retrieved from http:// ezproxy.snhu.edu/login?
url=http://search.proquest.com/ docview/ 213100689?accountid=3783
Maser, J. D. (2000, June). Mental Illnesses. Retrieved from http:// www2.nami.org/
Template.cfm?Section=By_Illness&Template= %2FTaggedPage
%2FTaggedPageDisplay.cfm&TPLID=54&ContentID=26975
Steinberg, M. (2013). In-Depth: Understanding Dissociative Disorders. Psych Central.
Retrieved on April 10, 2015, from http://psychcentral.com/lib/in-depth-
understanding-dissociative-disorders/0001377
Yager, J. (2006). Dissociative disorders: New findings. Journal Watch.Psychiatry,
doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1056/JP200605170000004

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