Abnormal Psychology

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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