NRNP 6665 WEEK 9 Controversy Associated With Dissociative Disorders
Controversy Associated With Dissociative Disorders
Appropriate treatment and management of diseases such as mental illnesses heavily hinges on the diagnosis process, implying that accurate diagnosis is likely to lead to more effective treatment. However, some of the disorders are misdiagnosed mainly due to a lack of sufficient awareness among health professionals and controversies surrounding such disorders. Among such disorders are dissociative disorders. Dissociative disorders result from an abnormal interruption, disruption, or discontinuation of the subjective integration of behavior, memory, perception, identity, emotion, representation, and motor control (Modesti et al.,2022). As such, possessing adequate knowledge regarding these disorders is vital for proper treatment and management and subsequent desired outcomes. As such, the purpose of this assignment is to discuss the controversies connected with dissociative disorders. In addition, this write-up will discuss professional beliefs regarding these disorders, ways that can be used to maintain therapeutic relationships with patients presenting with dissociative disorders, as well as the legal and ethical considerations in dissociative disorders.
The Controversies Surrounding Dissociative Disorders
Over the years, there have been several controversies surrounding dissociative disorders. One of the controversies entails the condition’s connection with accumulative trauma and childhood trauma. While others support that line of argument, others dismiss the relationship between these disorders and accumulative trauma and childhood trauma. There has been a controversy about whether these disorders result from psychological trauma or are caused by artefactual conditions coming from the socio-cultural aspects or iatrogenesis (Gauld et al.,2022). There have also been arguments that these disorders come due to trauma memories confabulations; nonetheless, such arguments are opinions and have no scientific support.
Such arguments have been supported by different models, such as the Iatrogenic model, the Sociocognitive model, and the Fantasy model. According to the Fantasy model, individuals prone to fantasy may confabulate traumatic memories, leading to dissociation. The sociocognitive model suggests that dissociative disorders come due to an individual possessing false beliefs regarding a condition as obtained from the media. Besides, according to the Iatrogenic model, dissociative disorders may result from hypnotic treatment approaches that ingrain false memories with the focus of recovering from repressed memories.
My Professional Beliefs About Dissociative Disorders
Holding or having professional beliefs regarding conditions with controversies is important for relevant diagnosis and disease management. One of my professional beliefs is that dissociative disorders are real and they exist. Consequently, individuals with these disorders deserve treatment and management using evidence-based approaches, as discussed by Lyn et al.2022. I also believe that dissociative disorders are caused by past traumatic experiences as opposed to the arguments that come due to artefactual hypnosis, socio-cultural attributes, and fantasy (Kate et al.,2020). Recent data and research connect dissociative disorders with early childhood trauma and abuse rather than fantasy or cognitive distortions. For example, research by Boyer et al.(2022) shows that the prevalence of dissociative disorders is close to 10%. My other belief is that mental health professionals should perform comprehensive diagnoses and use evidence-based treatment and management approaches for patients with these disorders.
Strategies For Maintaining Therapeutic Relationship With Patients Dissociative Disorder
The care outcomes are affected by different factors, such as therapeutic relationships, implying that health professionals should strike and maintain a therapeutic relationship with patients like those presenting with dissociative disorders. Among the strategies to use is ensuring that there is open communication. Open communication is vital for effective communication. Patients need to adequately understand the treatment and management approaches and adhere to them; hence, effective communication can enhance such. It is also important to uphold patient autonomy when dealing with patients presenting with dissociative disorders (Boyer et al.,2022). The implication is that patient’s treatment and management preferences should be integrated into care plans through appropriate collaborations. These patients should be shown empathy, and judging them should be avoided to help them experience better patient outcomes.
Ethical and Legal Considerations Related to Dissociative Disorders and Their Importance
Legal and ethical considerations guide practitioners on what to do and what not to do when handling patients with different complications, such as dissociative disorders. As such, the professionals should strive to adhere to the legal and ethical guidelines and uphold them to promote patient well-being and avoid occurrences such as possible litigations. The considerations include treatment withdrawal, patient preferences, autonomy, coercive therapeutic interventions, self-endangerment, and endangerment of others. Addressing potential ethical dilemmas associated with the mentioned considerations is vital to avoiding potential litigations and negative impacts on patients. It is also hard to determine if a patient with these disorders can have the capacity to make health decisions (Holbæk et al.,2024). The complication comes since the patient may have a different personality state, with each state exhibiting its preferences or opinions regarding preferred treatment, hence conflicting situations. Shared decision-making and engaging in multidisciplinary collaborations can be helpful in such situations.
Conclusion
Dissociative disorders impact patient’s lives negatively, hence the need for appropriate treatment and management. This assignment has mainly focused on controversies surrounding dissociative disorders. These disorders are usually misdiagnosed, leading to poor patient outcomes. Practitioners should possess adequate knowledge regarding these disorders and use EBP approaches to help manage patients presenting with disorders.
References
Boyer, S. M., Caplan, J. E., & Edwards, L. K. (2022). Trauma-related dissociation and the dissociative disorders: Delaware Journal of Public Health, 8(2), 78–84. https://doi.org/10.32481/djph.2022.05.010
Gauld, C., Espi, P., Revol, O., & Fourneret, P. (2022). Explanatory hypotheses of the ecology of new clinical presentations of Dissociative Identity Disorders in youth. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 13, 965593. Doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.965593
Holbæk, I., Vrabel, K., & Halvorsen, M. S. (2024). “Now there are fewer of me”. A qualitative study of the impact of psychoeducative groups for complex dissociative disorder. European Journal of Trauma & Dissociation, 8(2), 100390. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejtd.2024.100390
Kate, M. A., Hopwood, T., & Jamieson, G. (2020). The prevalence of dissociative disorders and dissociative experiences in college populations: A meta-analysis of 98 studies. Journal of Trauma & Dissociation, 21(1), 16-61. https://doi.org/10.1080/15299732.2019.1647915
Lynn, S. J., Polizzi, C., Merckelbach, H., Chiu, C. D., Maxwell, R., van Heugten, D., & Lilienfeld, S. O. (2022). Dissociation and dissociative disorders reconsidered: Beyond sociocognitive and trauma models toward a transtheoretical framework. Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, 18(1), 259-289. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-clinpsy-081219-102424
Modesti, M. N., Rapisarda, L., Capriotti, G., & Del Casale, A. (2022). Functional neuroimaging in dissociative disorders: a systematic review. Journal of Personalized Medicine, 12(9), 1405. https://doi.org/10.3390/jpm12091405.
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Controversy Associated With Dissociative Disorders
The DSM-5-TR is a diagnostic tool. It has evolved over the decades, as have the classifications and criteria within its pages. It is used not just for diagnosis, however, but also for billing, access to services, and legal cases. Not all practitioners are in agreement with the content and structure of the DSM-5-TR, and dissociative disorders are one such area. These disorders can be difficult to distinguish and diagnose. There is also controversy in the field over the legitimacy of certain dissociative disorders, such as dissociative identity disorder, which was formerly called multiple personality disorder.
In this Assignment, you will examine the controversy surrounding dissociative disorders. You will also explore clinical, ethical, and legal considerations pertinent to working with patients with these disorders.
Resources
Be sure to review the Learning Resources before completing this activity.
Click the weekly resources link to access the resources.
Learning Resources
Required Readings
- Boland, R. Verdiun, M. L. & Ruiz, P. (2022). Kaplan & Sadock’s synopsis of psychiatry (12th ed.). Wolters Kluwer.
- Chapter 11, “Dissociative Disorders”
Required Media
- Osmosis. (2017, November 20). Dissociative disorders – causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, pathology
- Links to an external site. [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/XF2zeOdE5GYLinks to an external site.
- Mad Medicine. (2019, August 18). Dissociative disorders (Psychiatry) – USMLE Step 1
- Links to an external site. [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/Iz03M9pwhs0Links to an external site.
- Grande, T. (2018, October 22). The dissociative identity disorder controversy (Trauma vs. Iatrogenic)
- Links to an external site.. [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqTP0CP9aDk
To Prepare
- Review this week’s Learning Resources on dissociative disorders.
- Use the Walden Library to investigate the controversy regarding dissociative disorders. Locate at least three scholarly articles that you can use to support your Assignment.
The Assignment (2–3 pages)
- Explain the controversy that surrounds dissociative disorders.
- Explain your professional beliefs about dissociative disorders, supporting your rationale with at least three scholarly references from the literature.
- Explain strategies for maintaining the therapeutic relationship with a client that may present with a dissociative disorder.
- Finally, explain ethical and legal considerations related to dissociative disorders that you need to bring to your practice and why they are important.
By Day 7 of Week 9
Submit your Assignment
submission information
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Rubric
NRNP_6665_Week9_Assignment_Rubric
| Criteria | Ratings | Pts | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome In 2–3 pages, address the following:• Explain the controversy that surrounds dissociative disorders. |
|
15 pts | ||||
| This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome • Explain your professional beliefs about dissociative disorders, supporting your rationale with at least three scholarly references from the literature. |
|
25 pts | ||||
| This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome • Explain strategies for maintaining the therapeutic relationship with a client that may present with a dissociative disorder. |
|
30 pts | ||||
| This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome • Finally, explain ethical and legal considerations related to dissociative disorders that you need to bring to your practice and why they are important. |
|
15 pts | ||||
| This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome Written Expression and Formatting – Paragraph Development and Organization: Paragraphs make clear points that support well-developed ideas, flow logically, and demonstrate continuity of ideas. Sentences are carefully focused—neither long and rambling nor short and lacking substance. A clear and comprehensive purpose statement and introduction are provided that delineate all required criteria. |
|
5 pts | ||||
| This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome Written Expression and Formatting – English writing standards: Correct grammar, mechanics, and proper punctuation |
|
5 pts | ||||
| This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome Written Expression and Formatting – The paper follows correct APA format for title page, headings, font, spacing, margins, indentations, page numbers, parenthetical/in-text citations, and reference list. |
|
5 pts | ||||
| Total Points: 100 | ||||||
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