Question 1

Richard is seeking treatment for his post-traumatic stress disorder.Based on the most clinically agreed upon approach, what will his clinician most likely use in therapy?

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Question 2

Discuss the major criteria for a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and distinguish it from acute stress disorder.

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Question 3

Describe the relationship between post-traumatic stress disorder and dissociative identity disorder.How are the two disorders similar? How are they different?

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Question 4

What is the main difference between a dissociative fugue and dissociative amnesia?

Accepted Answer

The main difference between a dissociative fugue and dissociative amnesia is that a fugue involves travel while dissociative amnesia does not necessarily involve travel. A dissociative fugue is a sudden and unexpected travel away from home or work, while dissociative amnesia is the inability to recall important personal information, often related to traumatic events, without the departure from the person's usual environment.

Question 5

Discuss the etiology of PTSD, including the roles of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors.

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Question 6

Craig suddenly notices that the world looks weird to him.Some objects look bigger than normal and others look smaller.Cars passing by seem oddly shaped and people appear dead or mechanical.What is Craig experiencing?

Accepted Answer

Craig is experiencing derealization, which is a dissociative symptom where the external world appears strange or unreal. Classic early psychosis symptoms include hallucinations, delusions, disorganized speech, and grossly disorganized or abnormal motor behavior. Depersonalization is another dissociative symptom where individuals feel detached or disconnected from themselves. Mania is a state of elevated or irritable mood, energy, and activity levels. None of the other options fit Craig's symptoms as well as derealization does.

Question 7

Which of the following is Agatha Christie believed to have experienced?

Accepted Answer

Agatha Christie is believed to have experienced a dissociative fugue state during her 11-day disappearance in 1926, where she was found living under a different name with no memory of her past.

Question 8

Stephen experienced an episode of dissociation.His doctor asks him if he has experienced a list of events to try to determine what may have caused the episode.Which event would NOT be on that list?

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Question 9

Describe the two most common treatment methods for PTSD.Discuss what research shows in terms of implantation and efficacy for each of the treatment options.

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Question 10

Which of the following is a common symptom of people with post-traumatic stress disorder?

Accepted Answer

Memories and nightmares of the traumatic event are a common symptom of PTSD. Chronic worrying and difficulty learning new things are not specific to PTSD, and excessive emotional responsiveness can be a symptom of various disorders.

Question 11

Which dissociative disorder is suggested to be the most prevalent?

Accepted Answer

According to research, dissociative amnesia is suggested to be the most prevalent dissociative disorder, with estimates ranging from 1.8% to 7.0% in the general population. Dissociative identity disorder, once known as multiple personality disorder, is the most well-known dissociative disorder but is relatively rare, with estimated prevalence rates of less than 1%. Dissociative fugue states and depersonalization-derealization are less common than dissociative amnesia.

Question 12

If left untreated, what course does dissociative identity disorder usually take across the life span?

Accepted Answer

Dissociative identity disorder (DID) tends to remain relatively stable in form over a person's lifetime. However, the frequency of switching between different identities or "alters" can decrease as the individual gets older. This change in switching frequency does not imply a change in the nature of the disorder itself or in the characteristics of the alter personalities.

Question 13

In the "Hillside Strangler" case, what did Kenneth Bianchi claim to be suffering from?

Accepted Answer

Kenneth Bianchi claimed to be suffering from dissociative identity disorder, which was also known as multiple personality disorder at the time of his trial.

Question 14

What is one reason that dissociative identity disorder can be misdiagnosed as a psychotic disorder?

Accepted Answer

Auditory hallucinations, which involve hearing voices or other sounds, can occur in both psychotic disorders (such as schizophrenia) and dissociative identity disorder. This symptom can lead to misdiagnosis or misidentification of the condition. Other symptoms shared by both disorders include disordered thinking, problems with concentration or memory, and feelings of detachment from reality. However, dissociative identity disorder is a unique and distinct condition that requires specialized assessment and treatment.

Question 15

Which theory provides the best explanation for the etiology of post-traumatic stress disorder?

Accepted Answer

The diathesis-stress theory suggests that individuals with a biological, psychological, or social vulnerability (diathesis) will develop PTSD when exposed to a traumatic event (stress). This theory takes into account individual differences in vulnerability and the impact of environmental triggers.

Question 16

Mary, who is 40, appears to believe she is a 20-year-old woman.Suddenly, however, she starts to speak and behave very differently, and says she no longer thinks of herself as "Mary." Instead, she claims to be Elise, a 10-year-old child.What has Mary most likely just experienced?

Accepted Answer

Mary's sudden switch in identity and behavior is indicative of dissociative identity disorder, formerly known as multiple personality disorder. This involves the presence of multiple distinct identities or personality states that alternately control behavior. The switch from Mary to Elise is a clear example of a switch.

Question 17

Rebecca has depersonalization-derealization disorder.Which of the following complaints will Rebecca most likely report to her doctor?

Accepted Answer

Detachment is a common symptom of depersonalization-derealization disorder, where individuals feel detached from themselves, their surroundings, or both. Memory loss and hallucinations are not typically associated with this disorder. The inability to compare one's own experience to reality may be a symptom of certain disorders, but it is not specific to depersonalization-derealization disorder.

Question 18

Explain the current thinking regarding the environmental and psychological mechanisms in the development of dissociative identity disorder.

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Question 19

In dissociative identity disorder, what is the "host" personality?

Accepted Answer

The host personality is usually the one that asks for treatment and becomes the patient, as this personality is the one most aware of the disorder and seeks help for it. They may also be the one that presents to others in social situations, as they are often the most functional of the personalities.

Question 20

Which drugs have been shown to have some efficacy in treating post-traumatic stress disorder?

Accepted Answer

SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) are commonly used and have been shown to be effective in treating PTSD symptoms.

Quiz 7: Mood Disorders and Suicide