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Toward an etiology of dissociative identity disorder: a neurodevelopmental approach.

This article elaborates on Putnam's "discrete behavioral states" model of dissociative identity disorder (Putnam, 1997) by proposing the involvement of the orbitalfrontal cortex in the development of DID and suggesting a potential neurodevelopmental mechanism responsible for the development of multiple representations of self. The proposed "orbitalfrontal" model integrates and elaborates on theory and research from four domains: the neurobiology of the orbitalfrontal cortex and its protective inhibitory role in the temporal organization of behavior, the development of emotion regulation, the development of the self, and experience-dependent reorganizing neocortical processes. The hypothesis being proposed is that the experience-dependent maturation of the orbitalfrontal cortex in early abusive environments, characterized by discontinuity in dyadic socioaffective interactions between the infant and the caregiver, may be responsible for a pattern of lateral inhibition between conflicting subsets of self-representations which are normally integrated into a unified self. The basic idea is that the discontinuity in the early caretaking environment is manifested in the discontinuity in the organization of the developing child's self.

Affect↗

Assessing markers of working memory function in dissociative identity disorder using neutral stimuli: a comparison with clinical and general population samples.

OBJECTIVES: Memory functioning is a central conceptual and phenomenological aspect of dissociative identity disorder (DID). Most empirical work on memory functions in DID has focused on retrieval deficits either within or between dissociated identities. The current study attempted to remedy the scant attention given to working memory functioning. METHOD: In samples representing the DID, non-clinical, depressed, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and psychosis populations (n = 10 per group), neutral stimuli were used to examine three markers of working memory functioning: one measuring inhibition; one assessing facilitation; and one measuring interference. RESULTS: With the exception of the psychosis sample all groups displayed significant negative priming in the distractor inhibition condition. Facilitation effects were demonstrated by the DID and PTSD groups only. Interference effects were evident in all samples, though the DID and non-clinical groups demonstrated significantly more interference than the psychosis cohort. Distractor inhibition was related to overall schizotypy scores, and dissociation was related to scores in the facilitation condition. CONCLUSIONS: The DID sample displayed a completely distinct functional working memory profile to the psychosis sample when assessed with emotionally neutral stimuli. However, the working memory profile in the DID sample was not entirely dissimilar to the other comparison groups.

Adolescent↗

Somatoform dissociation discriminates among diagnostic categories over and above general psychopathology.

OBJECTIVE: The primary aim of this study was to investigate the hypothesis that somatoform dissociation would differentiate among specific diagnostic categories after controlling for general psychopathology. METHOD: The Somatoform Dissociation Questionnaire (SDQ-20), the Dissociative Experiences Scale, and the Symptom Checklist-90-R were completed by patients with DSM-IV diagnoses of dissociative disorders (n = 44), somatoform disorders (n = 47), eating disorders (n = 50), bipolar mood disorder (n = 23), and a group of consecutive psychiatric outpatients with other psychiatric disorders (n = 45), mainly including anxiety disorders, depression, and adjustment disorder. RESULTS: The SDQ-20 significantly differentiated among diagnostic groups in the hypothesised order of increasing somatoform dissociation, both before and after statistically controlling for general psychopathology. Somatoform dissociation was extreme in dissociative identity disorder, high in dissociative disorder, not otherwise specified, and increased in somatoform disorders, as well as in a subgroup of patients with eating disorders. In contrast with somatoform dissociation, psychological dissociation did not discriminate between bipolar mood disorder and somatoform disorders. CONCLUSIONS: Somatoform dissociation is a unique construct that discriminates among diagnostic categories. It is highly characteristic of dissociative disorder patients, a core feature in many patients with somatoform disorders, and an important symptom cluster in a subgroup of patients with eating disorders.

Adult↗

Clinical hypnosis for rapid recovery from dissociative identity disorder.

Numerous anecdotal reports and textbooks from distinguished mental health practitioners have accorded to clinical hypnosis a prominent role in the successful psychotherapeutic treatment of Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID). This ideographic inquiry of one such treatment offers empirical support for the instrumental effects of clinical hypnosis with a highly hypnotizable patient who alleged intermittent sexual abuse during the 2-5 age range. Multiple pre- and post-intervention measures, plus treatment trajectory monitoring and explication, demonstrate how hypnosis methodology contributed to a rapid recovery from DID. Future research is called for to further elucidate the therapeutic benefits of clinical hypnosis for DID patients having different levels of hypnotizability and treatment responsiveness.

Adult↗

Memory fragmentation in dissociative identity disorder.

This study examined the quality of self-reported memories of traumatic experiences in participants with dissociative identity disorder (DID) and compared them with their memories of non-traumatic, but emotionally significant life experiences. Systematic interview data were gathered from 30 DID patients in The Netherlands. All participants reported a history of severe childhood abuse; 93.3% reported some period of amnesia for the index traumatic event, and 33.3% reported periods of amnesia for significant non-traumatic childhood experiences. All participants who had been amnestic for their trauma reported that their memories were initially retrieved in the form of somatosensory flashbacks. This suggests that, like PTSD patients, DID patients at least initially recall their trauma not as a narrative, but as somatosensory re-experiencing. Surprisingly, however, DID participants also recalled emotionally charged non-traumatic life events with significant somatosensory components, a phenomenon that has not been previously reported. This finding raises important issues regarding basic memory processing abnormalities in DID patients.

Adult↗

The effects of hypnosis on dissociative identity disorder: a reexamination of the evidence.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the possibility that hypnosis has significant iatrogenic effects on dissociative identity disorder (DID). METHOD: This paper reexamines previously published data that have been interpreted as indicating that hypnosis does not exert significant iatrogenic effects on DID. RESULTS: The use of hypnosis is associated with differences in DID phenomenology and number of DID patients in treatment. CONCLUSION: Hypnosis may have significant iatrogenic effects on DID.

Dissociative Identity Disorder↗

Alters in dissociative identity disorder. Metaphors or genuine entities?

How should the different identities (i.e., alters) that are thought to be typical for dissociative identity disorder (DID) be interpreted? Are they just metaphors for different emotional states or are they truly autonomous entities that are capable of willful action? This issue is important because it has implications for the way in which courts may handle cases that involve DID patients. Referring to studies demonstrating that alters of DID patients differ in their memory performance or physiological profile, some authors have concluded that alters are more than just metaphors. We argue that such line of reasoning is highly problematic. There is little consensus among authors about the degree to which various types of memory information (implicit, explicit, procedural) may leak from one to the other alter. Without such theoretical accord, any given outcome of memory studies on DID may be taken as support for the assumption that alters are in some sense "real." As physiological studies on alter activity often lack proper control conditions, most of them are inconclusive as to the status of alters. To date, neither memory studies nor psychobiological studies have delivered compelling evidence that alters of DID patients exist in a factual sense. As a matter of fact, results of these studies are open to multiple interpretations and in no way refute an interpretation of alters in terms of metaphors for different emotional states.

Amnesia↗

Dissociative identity disorder and the nurse-patient relationship in the acute care setting: an action research study.

This paper presents the results of an action research study into the acute care experience of Dissociative Identity Disorder. The study, which was grounded in principles of critical social science, utilized focus group interviews and narrative construction. Nurses and patients are under-represented in all clinical evaluation and their voices need to be heard if services are to be truly collaborative. Findings of the study extend intrapsychic theories of trauma to emphasize the interpersonal relationship between nurse and person who can work together to facilitate recovery from trauma, make connections both intra and interpersonally and build resilience.

Acute Disease↗

Cognitive inhibition and interference in dissociative identity disorder: the effects of anxiety on specific executive functions.

Using an experimentally based, computer-presented task, this study assessed cognitive inhibition and interference in individuals from the dissociative identity disorder (DID; n=12), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD; n=12) and non-clinical (n=12) populations. Participants were assessed in a neutral and emotionally negative (anxiety provoking) context, manipulated by experimental instructions and word stimuli. The DID sample displayed effective cognitive inhibition in the neutral but not the anxious context. The GAD sample displayed the opposite findings. However, the interaction between group and context failed to reach significance. There was no indication of an attentional bias to non-schema specific negative words in any sample. Results are discussed in terms of the potential benefit of weakened cognitive inhibition during anxious arousal in dissociative individuals.

Adolescent↗

Multiple personality disorder in criminal law.

The authors review the recent literature on multiple personality disorder (MPD), the most severe and chronic of the dissociative disorders, in relation to court cases of competence to stand trial, the insanity defense, and research on malingerers feigning MPD. Issues relevant in the assessment of competency and insanity are described. Features characteristic of MPD, including amnesia and alterations in consciousness and personality, have varying degrees of influence over the criminal behavior of an individual with MPD. As in other psychiatric disorders, the influence of MPD on an individual's competence to stand trial, and sanity, can be evaluated systematically. This article discusses a specific diagnostic tool, the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Dissociative Disorders (SCID-D), an extensively field tested instrument that is potentially quite useful in forensic assessment of suspects manifesting dissociative symptoms and disorders. The particular advantages of the SCID-D will be reviewed in the context of some well known criminal cases involving MPD. Further research using diagnostic interviews for the systematic assessment of dissociative symptoms and MPD in criminal cases will continue to clarify the influence of these symptoms in a forensic context.

Adult↗

Measurement of dissociative states with the Clinician-Administered Dissociative States Scale (CADSS).

The purpose of this study was to develop an instrument for the measurement of present-state dissociative symptoms, the Clinician Administered Dissociative States Scale (CADSS). Reported here are interrater reliability and internal consistency of the CADSS, validity as assessed by comparisons with other instruments for the assessment of dissociation, and sensitivity of the CADSS to discriminate patients with dissociative disorders from patients with other psychiatric disorders and healthy subjects. Initial analyses indicated good interrater reliability and construct validity for the CADSS. Scores on the CADSS discriminated patients with dissociative disorders from the other groups.

Adult↗

Dissociative and conversion disorders: defining boundaries.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Although dissociative disorders have been described and diagnosed for some time, their aetiology, pathogenesis, phenomenology and management continues to arouse debate. It is only in recent times that researchers have made some progress by integrating trauma related theories with more contemporary cognitive theories and neurobiology. RECENT FINDINGS: Dissociation as a phenomenon is reported to occur in a variety of disorders. This widespread occurrence has contributed to a better understanding of dissociation. An expansion of this concept may have contributed to the loss of its original significance. Recent studies in the field of dissociation that pertain to its aetiology, pathophysiology, neurobiology and management are critically reviewed. SUMMARY: Dissociative disorder is conceptually a difficult disorder to study. Apart from exposure to trauma, certain primary personality attributes may contribute to the propensity to develop dissociative disorder. Recent advances in functional neuroimaging facilitated by enhanced knowledge in the neural representation of body state have helped to improve our understanding of dissociation. There is confusion over the use of various terms such as sexual abuse and physical abuse in explaining causality. Current classificatory systems have not been found suitable when applied across cultures. In spite of all of these limitations, there has been recent progress toward a better understanding of dissociative disorders.

Conversion Disorder↗

[Previous dissociative psychiatric disorder and status epilepticus in a case of acute HIV infection].

We described an 18 old homosexual man who after 5 days developed a neurologic picture associated with Human Immunodeficiency Viruses (HIV) seroconversion. The patient had developed a dissociative psychiatric disorder 6 months before, and after resolution of the acute neurologic disease a mild neuro-psychiatric disorder remained. After mononucleosis-like syndrome of three weeks, the patient developed a meningo-encephalitic process 48 h post admission. He evolved with tonic seizures and twilight state and was admitted into Intensive Care Unit because of epileptic status and deep coma. Evolution was favourable after 72 h of treatment with acyclovir and antiepileptic drugs. Laboratory data showed an inverted T4/T8 ratio and seroconversion to HIV-antibodies and p24-antigen both in serum and CSF. These observations confirm the existence of psychiatric as well neurological alterations in acute HIV infection, and also the significance of p24-antigen and Western-Blot in serum and CSF in showing the seroconversion profile.

Acute Disease↗