Somatoform and Dissociative Disorders

1. Somatoform and Dissociative Disorders

2. Why Can’t the Prince Walk? • There is an ancient Persian legend about a physician named Rhazes who was called into the palace for the purpose of diagnosing and treating a young prince. Apparently, the prince could not walk. After the usual examination of the day, Rhazes determined that there was nothing wrong with the princes legs, at least not physically. With little more than a hunch, Rhazes set out to treat what may be set out to treat what may be the first recorded case of conversion. In doing so he took a risk: Rhazes unexpectedly walked into the Prince’s bedroom brandishing a dagger and threatened to kill him. Upon seeing him, “the startled prince abruptly fled, leaving his clothes, his dignity, his symptom, and undoubtedly part of his self-esteem behind.”

3. The prince in the story suffered from a somatoform disorder. • Disorders characterized by physical symptoms brought about by psychological distress

4. Somatoform Disorders • A disorder marked by a pattern of recurring symptoms for which there is no apparent cause.

5. Types of Somatoform Disorders • There are two types of Somatoform disorders that psychologists identify as Conversion disorders and Hypochondriasis.

6. Conversion Disorders • The conversion of emotional difficulties into the loss of a specific physiological function. Ex: Man wakes up and can’t move his legs or feel his hand. • The loss of function is real but no physical damage is present. • The person unconsciously invents symptoms to gain freedom from unbearable conflict

7. Hypochondriasis • A person in good health becomes preoccupied with imaginary ailments • Often spends lots of time looking for signs of serious illness • Misinterprets bumps/bruises and medical tests

8. Dissociative Disorders • Involves a significant breakdown in a person’s normal conscious experience, such as a loss of memory or identity. • Very Rare

9. Types of Dissociative Disorders • Three types of Dissociative disorders are Dissociative Amnesia, Dissociative Fugue and Dissociative Identity Disorder.

10. Dissociative Amnesia • Amnesiacs remember how to speak but may not know who they are, where they live, or who their family is. • Most often results from a traumatic event.

11. Dissociative Fugue • Amnesia coupled with a flight to a different environment. • A fugue may last for days or decades. • When the person wakes up they will have no knowledge of the interim. • Known as the traveling amnesia

12. Dissociative Identity Disorder • A person who has two or more identities each with its own way of thinking and behaving. • People diagnosed with this disorder usually suffered from sever physical, psychological, or sexual abuse during childhood.

13. Activity- The Other Self • Did you know that the denial of one’s feelings is a source of anxiety, and preoccupation with internal problems can make them seem worse? Without a doubt, all of us carry around “secret” thoughts, fears, desires, and guilts that we would not care to share with anyone else. Most of us, however, probably carry around more than we need to. Self disclosure does not have to be threatening. It can be quite beneficial. For example, people who refuse to disclose any of their inner feelings probably do not want to reveal their “vulnerability” to others.

14. Instructions • Complete The Other Self activity sheet. You do not have to answer any questions that make you feel uncomfortable. Then answer the question at the end of the questionnaire. • Compare your answers with those of your classmates. You so have the option to pass any of the questions you wish not to discuss.

15. Discussion Questions • Do you feel it is healthy to be able to disclose information about yourself? • Under what conditions might self-disclosure not be healthy? • When comparing results with your classmates, were you surprised by any similarities?