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Related Concept Videos

Dissociative Disorders01:27

Dissociative Disorders

Dissociative disorders represent complex psychological conditions characterized by disruptions in consciousness, memory, identity, or perception. These disruptions cause individuals to experience a disconnection from their thoughts, emotions, and memories. The phenomenon is not merely an occasional lapse in attention but a profound alteration in mental functioning that can severely impact daily life.
Dissociative Fugue
A hallmark feature of dissociative disorders is the dissociative fugue...
Dissociative Identity Disorder01:30

Dissociative Identity Disorder

Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), previously termed multiple personality disorder, is a complex psychological condition characterized by the presence of two or more distinct identities or personality states. Each identity exhibits unique patterns of behavior, voice, and mannerisms and may possess separate memories and emotional responses. The alternating control between identities can result in memory gaps and challenges in recalling daily activities, often exacerbating the individual's...
Dissociative Amnesia01:21

Dissociative Amnesia

Dissociative amnesia is a complex psychological condition that manifests as an inability to recall personal information, often tied to traumatic or stressful events. Unlike general amnesia, individuals with this condition retain the ability to perform routine activities and procedural tasks, such as operating a phone or navigating public transportation, yet experience profound gaps in autobiographical memory. These lapses may encompass significant life events, such as suicide attempts or...
Personality Disorders: Paranoid and Schizoid01:22

Personality Disorders: Paranoid and Schizoid

Personality disorders represent enduring cognition, affect, and behavior patterns that significantly deviate from societal norms. These maladaptive traits often lead to difficulties in various domains, including interpersonal relationships, occupational settings, and overall psychological well-being. Paranoid personality disorder and schizoid personality disorder are two distinct conditions marked by odd or eccentric behavior.
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Intellectual Disability01:29

Intellectual Disability

Intellectual disability (ID) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by deficits in intellectual and adaptive functioning that manifest during the developmental period. This condition encompasses challenges in reasoning, memory, problem-solving, and learning, accompanied by impairments in everyday life skills, such as communication, self-care, and social interactions. Intellectual disability affects approximately 1% of the population in the United States, impacting an estimated 5...
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)01:27

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) serves as the primary classification system for mental health disorders, providing standardized diagnostic criteria for clinicians and researchers. First published by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) in 1952, the DSM has undergone several revisions to reflect evolving psychiatric understanding. The fifth edition, DSM-5, released in 2013, introduced key updates that expanded diagnostic categories and modified diagnostic...

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Use of a Psychophysiological Script-driven Imagery Experiment to Study Trauma-related Dissociation in Borderline Personality Disorder
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Global functioning and disability in dissociative disorders.

Christoph Mueller-Pfeiffer1, Kaspar Rufibach, Noelle Perron

  • 1Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Zurich, Culmannstrasse 8, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland. christoph.mueller-pfeiffer@access.uzh.ch

Psychiatry Research
|May 15, 2012
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Complex dissociative disorders, like dissociative identity disorder, significantly impair global functioning in psychiatric patients, even when other mental health conditions are considered. These findings highlight their clinical relevance.

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Area of Science:

  • Psychiatry and Psychology
  • Mental Health Research
  • Clinical Assessment

Background:

  • Dissociative disorders frequently co-occur with other mental health conditions.
  • Their clinical significance and impact on overall functioning remain debated.
  • Limited systematic research exists on dissociative disorders' influence on global functioning.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between dissociative disorders and functional impairment.
  • To assess the impact of dissociative disorders beyond non-dissociative Axis I disorders.
  • To determine if complex dissociative disorders qualify as serious mental illness.

Main Methods:

  • 160 outpatients and day care patients were assessed in Swiss psychiatric units.
  • Utilized Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders and Dissociative Disorders.
  • Employed Global Assessment of Functioning Scale and WHO Disability Assessment Schedule-II.
  • Linear regression models analyzed the association between dissociative disorders and functional impairment.

Main Results:

  • 18.8% of patients presented with a dissociative disorder.
  • Dissociative identity disorder (7.5%) and dissociative disorder-not-otherwise-specified (6.3%) were most prevalent.
  • Comorbid dissociative identity disorder or dissociative disorder-not-otherwise-specified significantly reduced global functioning scores, independent of other Axis I disorders.

Conclusions:

  • Complex dissociative disorders, specifically dissociative identity disorder and dissociative disorder-not-otherwise-specified, contribute to functional impairment.
  • This impairment is significant even after accounting for co-existing non-dissociative Axis I disorders.
  • Findings support classifying complex dissociative disorders as serious mental illness, underscoring their clinical relevance.