Dissociative Disorders

Dissociative Disorders

1. Explain the controversy that surrounds dissociative disorders

The disagreement over dissociative identity disorder is predicated on the idea that first-person accounts of dissociation based on existing diagnostic measures are unreliable due to how those scales were constructed (Loewenstein,2022). One prevalent theory is that dissociation occurs because of frequent exposure to intense stimuli. On the other hand, some persons may misrepresent or exaggerate DID symptoms to evade culpability for the consequences of their criminal actions, which is a troubling element of the disorder (Loewenstein,2022). Dissociative disorders are thought to be caused by psychological traumas or settings produced by humans in which false trauma memories are prevalent.

Regardless of the disputes, dissociative disorders are significant mental diseases with far-reaching clinical consequences. Some people believe that because of how these scales are created, they produce more false positives (Loewenstein,2022). The presence of two or more different personality states and a feeling of possession are the defining characteristics of dissociative identity disorder (Loewenstein,2022). Problems with the research methodology and reliance on circular reasoning to validate the researchers' results have been called into question as part of the attempt to describe the disease.

2. Explain your professional beliefs about dissociative disorders, supporting your rationale with at least three scholarly references from the literature.

Regardless of the disagreement regarding dissociative diseases, the integrity of those most affected should not be questioned or dismissed. Although some individuals simulate detachment for personal advantage, this behavior should not be taken for granted (Blewis, 2018). Given this, dissociative illnesses, in my professional view, should be treated in the same manner as any other mental illness. Dissociative disorders are distinguished by an unintentional detachment from reality, a disconnection between ideas, identity, and awareness, and a dissociation between consciousness and memory. Dissociative disorders may affect people of any age, race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic class (Blewis, 2018). Dissociative disorders can also affect people of any hue. Depersonalization, also known as derealization, is a phenomenon that may impact up to seventy-five percent of people at some point in their lives; however, only two percent of people meet all the prerequisites for continual depersonalization (Blewis, 2018). A dissociative disorder affects females at a rate that is two times higher than that of males.

One may show signs of a dissociative illness if they have been exposed to a traumatic experience, such as being abused as a kid or serving in the military. Stress can worsen symptoms and make it more challenging to carry out routine activities promptly and effectively (Blewis, 2018). There are many different types of dissociative disorders, each with its unique set of symptoms. Often, patients with dissociative disorders are treated with a combination of talk therapy and medication (Blewis, 2018). A significant number of people with impairments can nonetheless have healthy, productive lives, despite the challenges of finding an effective treatment technique.

3. Explain strategies for maintaining the therapeutic relationship with a client that may present with a dissociative disorder.

If a client is experiencing dissociation throughout the session, a few simple actions may assist in reorienting them. One may, for instance, instruct a customer to look for three red items or three distinctive sounds in the neighborhood and then have them report the outcomes of their search (Lyssenko al, 2018). it is possible to return to the present once again. However, when two parties are physically separated, it is difficult or impossible for them to converse with one another (Lyssenko al, 2018). Dissociation may be harmful to relationships since it lowers one's ability to connect with others, which eventually results in the connection being weaker. Therefore, it is essential to limit one's exposure to traumatic situations and aid those who have survived trauma in making sense of what they have been through to reduce the risk of dissociative identity disorder (DID).

4. Finally, explain ethical and legal considerations related to dissociative disorders that you need to bring to your practice and why they are essential.

Nursing care and mental treatments have a very different set of ethical standards than other areas of medicine. Issues like informed consent, privacy, conflicts of interest, therapeutic misconceptions, difficulty with placebos, fragility, and operational hurdles are only some of the problems that need to be solved. Maximizing a patient's autonomy to aid the patient in regaining a sense of control is one of the most crucial factors to focus on in this circumstance (Lyssenko al, 2018). Patients who are forced to remain in care may experience pain as a result of this. Patients are protected against untrustworthy mental health practitioners via informed consent, which serves the same goal as the right to treatment and the right to secrecy. It is not only necessary by law, but it is also required by morality, and there is no decent psychologist who would conduct treatment without first receiving informed permission from the patient.

Professional ethics compel psychiatric providers to protect patients from harm and ensure that they have full access to therapy. On the other hand, these experts are compelled by law to protect potential victims from harm (Lyssenko al, 2018). For example, a healthcare worker may encounter a patient with dissociative identity disorder who has committed horrible acts. In this instance, the practitioner must decide whether to report the patient or ensure they have access to healthcare (Lyssenko al, 2018). This condition raises issues of justice, beneficence, nonmaleficence, and privacy. Because violence is unexpected, mental conditions may be difficult. The psychiatrist has a tough time doing a comprehensive mental evaluation to identify the risk of murder and suicide. This evaluation will make it simpler to improve risk reduction and treatment strategies.

References

Blewis, J. N. (2018). Multiple perspectives on multiple selves: investigating clinicians' knowledge, beliefs, and experiences related to dissociative identity disorder (Doctoral dissertation, Rutgers University-Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology).

Loewenstein, R. J. (2022). Dissociation debates: Everything you know is wrong—dialogues in clinical neuroscience.

Lyssenko, L., Schmahl, C., Bockhacker, L., Vonderlin, R., Bohus, M., & Kleindienst, N. (2018). Dissociation in psychiatric disorders: A meta-analysis of studies using the dissociative experiences scale. American Journal of Psychiatry, 171(1), 37-46. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.2017.17010025