Dissociative and Somatoform Disorders 351
In addition, hypnosis can be induced only when patients are willing to be
hypnotized, and its benefi cial effects occur when they go along with the therapist’s
hypnotic suggestions (social factor). In turn, the hypnotic state brings about changes
in brain activity (neurological factor), which ultimately might play a role in integrat-
ing the stored information that was previously dissociated.
Figure 8.2 is a graphic representation of the three types of factors and their
feedback loops in treating dissociative disorders.
Figure 8.2
Treatments Targeting
Neurological Factors
Changes neural
activity
Decreases stress
Treatments Targeting
Psychological Factors
CBT: Techniques used
to treat PTSD, psycho-
education, extinguish
mention or behaviors
of alters
Mapping alters:
Identify in detail each
alter and its memories
to reintegrate
Hypnosis: Explore
symptoms of alters
Treatments Targeting
Social Factors
Take patient out of
traumatic or highly
stressful situation
Changes thoughts,
feelings, and behaviors
8.2 • Feedback Loops
in Treating Dissociative
Disorders
Key Concepts and Facts About Dissociative Disorders
- Dissociation involves a separation of mental processes that are
normally integrated—a dissociation of perception, conscious-
ness, memory, or identity. To qualify as a dissociative disorder,
this separation must cause signifi cant distress or impair func-
tioning. Specific symptoms of dissociative disorders include
amnesia, identity problems, derealization, and depersonaliza-
tion. Dissociative disorders are rare and are often thought to
arise in response to traumatic events.- Dissociative amnesia is characterized by signifi cantly impaired
memory for important experiences or personal information that
cannot be explained as ordinary forgetfulness or accounted for
by another psychological disorder, substance use, or a medical
condition. Dissociative amnesia most often occurs after some
traumatic event. The amnesia may be generalized, selective, or
localized. The amnesia may spontaneously disappear, particu-
larly after the person leaves the traumatic situation.
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- Dissociative amnesia is characterized by signifi cantly impaired