Question 1

The usual goal of therapy for dissociative identity disorders is to:

Accepted Answer

The primary goal of therapy for dissociative identity disorder (DID) is to integrate the multiple identities or "subpersonalities" into a single, cohesive identity. This process, known as integration or fusion, aims to help the individual achieve a unified sense of self.

Question 2

If I suffer from depersonalization disorder, but the symptoms disappear after a while, they most likely will reappear if I:

Accepted Answer

Depersonalization disorder symptoms can reappear after stressful or traumatic events, such as surviving a bad car accident.

Question 3

A client receiving treatment for identity disorder is progressing well through therapy; then, fusion occurs. MOST likely, the client has:

Accepted Answer

Fusion in the context of therapy for identity disorder (often associated with Dissociative Identity Disorder) refers to the process where two or more distinct identities or personality states merge into a single, more cohesive identity. This is generally considered a goal in therapy for such disorders, indicating progress, especially when it involves the final two or more subpersonalities merging.

Question 4

Reliving an event that happened months ago, avoidance of things associated with that event, and a generally reduced responsiveness, are symptoms of _____.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Reliving an event that happened months ago,...

Question 5

Reactions to trauma that happen almost immediately and gradually disappear in a month or so are likely to be diagnosed as _____.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Reactions to trauma that happen almost immediately...

Question 6

Depersonalization disorder is most common among:

Accepted Answer

Depersonalization disorder is most commonly experienced by adolescents and young adults. While it can occur at any age, onset typically occurs in late adolescence or early adulthood.

Question 7

Transient depersonalization and derealization:

Accepted Answer

Transient depersonalization and derealization can be induced by a life-threatening experience, such as a car accident, and are considered a normal response to such trauma. They are not experienced by all college students, are not necessarily produced naturally, and can be diagnosed in children and adolescents.

Question 8

The portion of the nervous system that is responsible for changes in response to fear and arousal is the _____.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The portion of the nervous system that...

Question 9

Which statement is MOST accurate about depersonalization disorder?

Accepted Answer

Depersonalization disorder often comes on suddenly and can be triggered by extreme fatigue, intense stress, or pain.

Answer: B
 Research has shown that changes in brain activity are associated with depersonalization disorder.

Answer: C
 This statement is inaccurate. Severe stressors have been found to be a predictor for depersonalization disorder.

Answer: D
 This statement is inaccurate. Depersonalization disorder can occur transiently in some individuals.

Question 10

Depersonalization _____, while derealization _____.

Accepted Answer

Depersonalization refers to a feeling of detachment from oneself, while derealization refers to a feeling of detachment from the external world.

Question 11

The effects of taking hallucinogens accompanied by feelings that objects are changing size, that other people are distorted, and that one might be mechanical is MOST similar to:

Accepted Answer

These symptoms are characteristic of depersonalization, which is a feeling of detachment from oneself or one's surroundings, and altered perceptions of reality are common in depersonalization. Additionally, depersonalization can be a side effect of hallucinogens, further supporting this answer choice. None of the other disorders listed closely match the symptoms described.

Question 12

A biological explanation for the stress disorders involves the activity of the neurotransmitter/hormone _____.

Accepted Answer

The answer of A biological explanation for the stress disorders...

Question 13

Feeling that your hands and feet are smaller or bigger than usual or that you are in a dreamlike state is called:

Accepted Answer

Doubting, dumbing down, and distrusting don't accurately describe feeling like your hands and feet are a different size or being in a dreamlike state. Doubling, on the other hand, refers to the experience of feeling like your body or surroundings are duplicated or altered, which is similar to feeling like your hands and feet are a different size or being in a dreamlike state.

Question 14

One of the subpersonalities of a person receiving treatment for dissociative identity disorder has just become a "protector." How far along in therapy has the person probably progressed?

Accepted Answer

In dissociative identity disorder, the emergence of a protector is a sign of progress in therapy, but it usually occurs before the integration of subpersonalities and fusion. Therefore, the person has progressed moderately far in therapy. Option A is incorrect because protectors can emerge at any stage of the disorder and are not necessarily present before diagnosis. Option C is incorrect because protectors usually emerge before fusion. Option D is incorrect because protectors can emerge even during therapy and do not signify the end of treatment.

Question 15

At a workshop about dissociative identity disorder, a therapist says, "In my experience, once integration begins, the need for therapy is practically over, and later dissociations just don't happen." This therapist's experience is:

Accepted Answer

Most successful therapies for dissociative identity disorder continue well beyond the beginning of integration, as integration is a complex and ongoing process that requires continued therapeutic support to maintain stability and address any remaining issues.

Question 16

If a person's mental functioning or body feels unreal or foreign, the person is MOST likely suffering from:

Accepted Answer

Depersonalization is a dissociative disorder characterized by feelings of detachment from oneself or one's surroundings, including a sense of being unreal, detached, or outside the body. Body dysmorphic disorder involves a preoccupation with perceived flaws or defects in one's appearance. Dissociative identity disorder involves the presence of two or more distinct personality states, while dissociative amnesia involves memory loss for personal information.

Question 17

An individual has been diagnosed with a dissociative disorder. However, the individual has very good recall of previous life events and has a strong sense of self. The MOST likely diagnosis for this individual is:

Accepted Answer

The individual's good recall of previous life events and strong sense of self suggest that they are not experiencing a fragmentation of identity, which is a hallmark of multiple identity disorder. Additionally, the individual is not exhibiting a sudden departure from their daily life, which would suggest dissociative fugue. Dissociative amnesia may involve memory loss but would not necessarily affect one's sense of self, and depersonalization disorder involves a feeling of detachment from one's body or experiences, but not necessarily a dissociation from one's identity or memories. Therefore, depersonalization disorder is the most likely diagnosis for this individual.

Question 18

Someone who is experiencing "doubling" is:

Accepted Answer

Doubling refers to a dissociative experience where an individual feels as though their mind or consciousness is detached and observing from above, often described as an out-of-body experience.

Question 19

A feeling of detachment from oneself could be diagnosed as PTSD or depersonalization disorder. How would one decide which diagnosis is BEST?

Accepted Answer

Both PTSD and depersonalization disorder can cause a feeling of detachment from oneself. However, by considering which symptoms predominated one can differentiate between the two disorders. In PTSD, the feelings of detachment are typically tied to a specific traumatic event and are accompanied by other symptoms such as flashbacks, nightmares, and hypervigilance. In depersonalization disorder, the feelings of detachment are not tied to a specific event and often involve a sense of being in a dream-like state or disconnected from one's body. Therefore, considering which symptoms predominated would be the best way to differentiate between the two diagnoses.

Question 20

When a person feels that the external world is removed, mechanical, distorted, or even dead, he or she is experiencing:

Accepted Answer

The experience described resembles derealization, which is a dissociative symptom characterized by a sense of unreality or detachment from one's surroundings.

Quiz 6: Disorders of Trauma and Stress