Transcript Dissociative and Somatoform Disorders

Chapter 11 Section 3


Involve changes in consciousness,
memory, or self-identity.
These disorders affect the ability to
maintain a cohesive sense of self or
unity of consciousness, which results
in bizarre behavior.
 There
are two types of
dissociative disorders
◦ Dissociative Identity Disorder
(DID)
◦ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXuG2zI39yA&safety_mode=tr
ue&safe=active&persist_safety_mode=1
◦ Dissociative Amnesia
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DID is commonly known as multiple
personality disorder or split
personality.
Two or more distinct personalities
exist within the same individual.
Each personality has distinct traits,
manner of speech, and memories
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
People affected experience a loss of
memory for information about
themselves or their life experiences.
The absence of any physical cause for
their amnesia (blow to head,
neurological condition, drug/alcohol
abuse) suggests that the disorder is
psychological.
 These
disorders may represent an
attempt to disconnect or
dissociate from traumatic
experiences or other sources of
psychological pain or conflict.
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
Some psychologists believe that DID is
a rare but genuine disorder that arises
in a few individuals as a way of coping
with terrible physical and sexual abuse
dating back to childhood.
Others doubt the existence of DID,
ascribing that behavior to a form of
attention seeking role playing
 People
with these disorders may
have physical symptoms or
complaints that cannot be
explained medically.
 Two
Types
◦ Conversion Disorder
◦ Hypochondriasis
A
person suffers a loss of physical
function, such as
◦ loss of movement in a limb
◦ loss of vision
◦ loss of feeling in a hand or arm
◦ No physical cause for these
symptoms
◦ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRzytAhu0hg&safety_mode=true&safe=active&pe
rsist_safety_mode=1
◦ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IaNruAT3zAE&feature=related&safety_mode=true
&safe=active&persist_safety_mode=1
 People
who are preoccupied with
the idea that there is something
terribly wrong with their health.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8v6aSOp5zw&safety_mode=true&safe=
active&persist_safety_mode=1
 Have
physical complaints or
symptoms which they believe are
signs of serious illness (cancer,
heart disease)
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Hysterical paralysis (loss of vision) can
prevent people from having to confront
stressful or conflict-laden situations
People with conversion disorders may be
reinforced by others for adopting a “sick
role”, drawing sympathy and support
from others, while avoiding things they
don’t want to do (work, chores, etc.)