Abnormal Psychology 30 3/9/2009

1 Review
• For those who missed last class…
– Please review the text book for the first part of Chapter 5 – up to Pain Disorders
• Soma – Meaning Body
– Pathological preoccupation with health and/or body appearance and functioning
– No identifiable medical condition causing the physical complaints

2 Review
• Five Basic Types of DSM-IV Somatoform Disorders
– Hypochondriasis-

– Somatization disorder-

3 •Review
– Conversion disorder-

– Pain disorder-

– Body dysmorphic disorder-

4 Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD)

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• DSM Checklist

5 Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD)

• “Imagined Ugliness”
• Previously known as dysmorphophobia

• Preoccupation with imagined defect in appearance usually in

• Strength of belief is bordering on delusional

6 Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD)

• Often display

• Co-morbid with

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7 BDD: Cultural Considerations

• Merely conforming to cultural expectations do not qualify as having the disorder
• The behavior of people with BDD is remarkably strange and goes against current cultural
practices

8 Body Dysmorphic Disorders: Statistics

– Some studies have found that at least 28% of college students meet criteria
– Seen equally in males and females
– Onset usually in late teens and early 20s
– Most remain single, and many seek out plastic surgeons
– Usually runs a lifelong chronic course if left untreated

9 Body Dysmorphic Disorder: Causes

• Causes

10 •Body Dysmorphic Disorder: Treatment

• Treatment

11 Dissociative Disorders
• The disorder involves severe alterations or detachments

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• Two types of experiences:

• Depersonalization

• Derealization

• Normally episodes of dissociations can occur

– Driving trances, sleeplessness, or drug effects

12 Dissociative Disorders
• 5 Types of DSM-IV Dissociative Disorders
– Depersonalization Disorder
– Dissociative Amnesia
– Dissociative Fugue
– Dissociative Trance Disorder
– Dissociative Identity Disorder

13 Depersonalization Disorder
• DSM Checklist

14 Depersonalization Disorder: Facts and Statistics

– High comorbidity with anxiety and mood disorders (50%)
– Onset is typically around age 16
– Usually runs a lifelong ,chronic course

15 Depersonalization Disorder: Causes

• Related to persons with a distinct cognitive profile
– Cognitive deficits in

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– Deficits related to
• tunnel vision-

• mind emptiness-

– Such persons are easily distracted and have trouble with seeing things in 3D

16 •Dissociative Amnesia and Fugue: Overview

• The two are related disorders
– Amnesia -

– Fugue -

17 Dissociative Amnesia
• DSM Checklist

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18 Dissociative Amnesia
• Two kinds
– Generalized amnesia –

– Localized or selective amnesia –

19 Dissociative Fugue
• DSM Checklist

20 Dissociative Amnesia and Fugue: Facts and Statistics

• Cultural Considerations
– Amok

– Pivloktoq- Arctic

– Frenzy witchcraft- Navajo

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21 Dissociative Amnesia and Fugue: Facts and Statistics

• Statistics
– Usually begin in adulthood; rare onset past 50
– Show rapid onset and dissipation
– Occur most often in females
– May continue well into old age

22 •Dissociative Amnesia and Fugue: Cultural Considerations

• Causes

• Treatment

23 Dissociative Trance Disorder: Overview

• Symptoms resemble other dissociative disorders
• Presentation varies across cultures

24 Dissociative Trance Disorder

• DSM Checklist

25 Dissociative Trance Disorder

• Trance-

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• Possession trance-

26 Dissociative Trance Disorder: Causes, and Treatment

• Facts and Statistics
– More common in females than males
• Causes

• Little is known about treatment

27 Dissociative Trance Disorder: Overview
• Symptoms resemble other dissociative disorders
• Presentation varies across cultures

28 Dissociative Trance Disorder: Causes, and Treatment

• Facts and Statistics
– More common in females than males
• Causes

• Little is known about treatment

•
29 Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID): Overview
• Formerly known as

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• Defining feature is

• Adoption of several new identities

• Identities display unique behaviors, voice, and posture

30 Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID): Overview

• Unique Aspects of DID
– Alters-

– Host-

– Switch-

31 Dissociative Identity Disorder

• DSM Checklist

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32 Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID): Statistics

• Average number of identities is close to 15
• Ratio of females to males is high (9:1)
• Onset is almost always in childhood
• High comorbidity rates
• Lifelong, chronic course

33 DID: Causes
• Causes

34 DID: Causes
• Highly Controversial

• Treatment

35 Diagnostic Considerations in Somatoform and Dissociative Disorders

• Separating Real Problems from Faking
– Malingering – Deliberately faking symptoms
• False Memories and Recovered Memory Syndrome

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•
• Related Conditions – Factitious Disorder
– Factitious Disorder by Proxy

36 Summary of Somatoform and Dissociative Disorders

• Features of Somatoform Disorders
– Physical problems without on organic cause
• Features of Dissociative Disorders
– Extreme distortions in perception and memory
• Well Established Treatments Are Generally Lacking

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