Chapter 11 Section 3

Involve changes in consciousness, memory, or self-identity.

These disorders affect the ability to maintain a cohesive sense of self or unity of consciousness, which results in bizarre behavior.

There are two types of dissociative disorders◦Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)

◦ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXuG2zI39yA&safety_mode=true&safe=active&persist_safety_mode=1

◦Dissociative Amnesia

DID is commonly known as multiple personality disorder or split personality.

Two or more distinct personalities exist within the same individual.

Each personality has distinct traits, manner of speech, and memories

People affected experience a loss of memory for information about themselves or their life experiences.

The absence of any physical cause for their amnesia (blow to head, neurological condition, drug/alcohol abuse) suggests that the disorder is psychological.

These disorders may represent an attempt to disconnect or dissociate from traumatic experiences or other sources of psychological pain or conflict.

Some psychologists believe that DID is a rare but genuine disorder that arises in a few individuals as a way of coping with terrible physical and sexual abuse dating back to childhood.

Others doubt the existence of DID, ascribing that behavior to a form of attention seeking role playing

People with these disorders may have physical symptoms or complaints that cannot be explained medically.

Two Types◦Conversion Disorder◦Hypochondriasis

A person suffers a loss of physical function, such as ◦loss of movement in a limb◦loss of vision◦loss of feeling in a hand or arm◦No physical cause for these symptoms

◦ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRzytAhu0hg&safety_mode=true&safe=active&persist_safety_mode=1

◦ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IaNruAT3zAE&feature=related&safety_mode=true&safe=active&persist_safety_mode=1

People who are preoccupied with the idea that there is something terribly wrong with their health.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8v6aSOp5zw&safety_mode=true&safe=active&persist_safety_mode=1

Have physical complaints or symptoms which they believe are signs of serious illness (cancer, heart disease)

Hysterical paralysis (loss of vision) can prevent people from having to confront stressful or conflict-laden situations

People with conversion disorders may be reinforced by others for adopting a “sick role”, drawing sympathy and support from others, while avoiding things they don’t want to do (work, chores, etc.)