Week 9: Dissociative Disorders
Have you ever been driving and realized you don’t remember the last few minutes of driving? Or have you gotten so wrapped up in a book or movie that you lose some awareness of your surroundings? These are examples of common and very mild dissociation, or a disconnect or lack of continuity between thoughts, feelings, actions, and sense of self.
There are three major dissociative disorders defined in the DSM-5: dissociative identity disorder, dissociative amnesia, and depersonalization-derealization disorder. Dissociative disorders may be associated with traumatic events in order to help manage difficult memories or experiences. Patients with these types of disorders are likely to also exhibit symptoms of a variety of other dysfunctions, such as depression, alcoholism, or self-harm and may also be more susceptible to personality, sleeping, and eating disorders.
This week, you will analyze issues related to the diagnosis and treatment of dissociative disorders as well as associated legal and ethical considerations.
Learning Resources
Required Readings (click to expand/reduce)
Sadock, B. J., Sadock, V. A., & Ruiz, P. (2015). Kaplan & Sadock’s synopsis of psychiatry (11th ed.). Wolters Kluwer.
· Chapter 12, “Dissociative Disorders”
Required Media (click to expand/reduce)
Osmosis. (2017, November 20). Dissociative disorders – causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, pathology [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/XF2zeOdE5GY
Mad Medicine. (2019, August 18). Dissociative disorders (Psychiatry) – USMLE Step 1 [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/Iz03M9pwhs0
Grande, T. (2018, October 22). The dissociative identity disorder controversy (Trauma vs. Iatrogenic). [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqTP0CP9aDk
Assignment: Controversy Associated With Dissociative Disorders
The DSM-5 is a diagnostic tool. It has evolved over the decades, as have the classifications and criteria within its pages. It is used not just for diagnosis, however, but also for billing, access to services, and legal cases. Not all practitioners are in agreement with the content and structure of the DSM-5, and dissociative disorders are one such area. These disorders can be difficult to distinguish and diagnose. There is also controversy in the field over the legitimacy of certain dissociative disorders, such as dissociative identity disorder, which was formerly called multiple personality disorder.
In this Assignment, you will examine the controversy surrounding dissociative disorders. You will also explore clinical, ethical, and legal considerations pertinent to working with patients with these disorders.
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Wavebreak Media
To Prepare
· Review this week’s Learning Resources on dissociative disorders.
· Use the Walden Library to investigate the controversy regarding dissociative disorders. Locate at least three scholarly articles that you can use to support your Assignment.
The Assignment (2–3 pages)
· Explain the controversy that surrounds dissociative disorders.
· Explain your professional beliefs about dissociative disorders, supporting your rationale with at least three scholarly references from the literature.
· Explain strategies for maintaining the therapeutic relationship with a client that may present with a dissociative disorder.
· Finally, explain ethical and legal considerations related to dissociative disorders that you need to bring to your practice and why they are important.
Name: NRNP_6665_Week9_Assignment_Rubric
| Novice | Competent | Proficient | New Column4 | |
| In 2–3 pages, address the following: • Explain the controversy that surrounds dissociative disorders. | 14 (14%) – 15 (15%) The response includes an accurate and concise explanation of the controversy within the field related to dissociative disorders. |
12 (12%) – 13 (13%) The response includes an accurate explanation of the controversy within the field related to dissociative disorders. |
11 (11%) – 11 (11%) The response includes a somewhat vague or inaccurate explanation of the controversy within the field related to dissociative disorders. |
0 (0%) – 10 (10%) The response includes a vague or inaccurate explanation of the controversy within the field related to dissociative disorders. Or the response is missing. |
| • Explain your professional beliefs about dissociative disorders, supporting your rationale with at least three scholarly references from the literature. | 23 (23%) – 25 (25%) The response includes a thorough and well-organized explanation of the student’s professional beliefs about dissociative disorders. Rationale demonstrates critical thinking and is strongly supported with three scholarly references. |
20 (20%) – 22 (22%) The response includes a well-organized explanation of the student’s professional beliefs about dissociative disorders. Rationale is clear and appropriately supported with three scholarly references. |
18 (18%) – 19 (19%) The response includes a somewhat vague explanation of the student’s professional beliefs about dissociative disorders. Rationale is somewhat unclear and references either provide weak support for the rationale or are not scholarly/current. |
0 (0%) – 17 (17%) The response includes a vague explanation of the student’s professional beliefs about dissociative disorders. Rationale is unclear and references are inappropriate. Or the response is missing. |
| • Explain strategies for maintaining the therapeutic relationship with a client that may present with a dissociative disorder. | 27 (27%) – 30 (30%) The response includes an accurate and concise explanation of strategies for maintaining the therapeutic relationship with a client that may present with a dissociative disorder. |
24 (24%) – 26 (26%) The response includes an accurate explanation of strategies for maintaining the therapeutic relationship with a client that may present with a dissociative disorder. |
21 (21%) – 23 (23%) The response includes a somewhat vague or incomplete explanation of strategies for maintaining the therapeutic relationship with a client that may present with a dissociative disorder. |
0 (0%) – 20 (20%) The response includes a vague or inaccurate explanation of strategies for maintaining the therapeutic relationship with a client that may present with a dissociative disorder. Or the response is missing. |
| • Finally, explain ethical and legal considerations related to dissociative disorders that you need to bring to your practice and why they are important. | 14 (14%) – 15 (15%) The response includes an accurate and concise explanation of ethical and legal considerations related to dissociative disorders that are important to clinical practice and why they are important. |
12 (12%) – 13 (13%) The response includes an accurate explanation of ethical and legal considerations related to dissociative disorders that are important to clinical practice and why they are important. |
11 (11%) – 11 (11%) The response includes a somewhat vague or incomplete explanation of ethical and legal considerations related to dissociative disorders that are important to clinical practice and why they are important. |
0 (0%) – 10 (10%) The response includes a vague and inaccurate explanation of ethical and legal considerations related to dissociative disorders that are important to clinical practice and why they are important. Or, response is missing. |
| Written Expression and Formatting – Paragraph Development and Organization: Paragraphs make clear points that support well-developed ideas, flow logically, and demonstrate continuity of ideas. Sentences are carefully focused—neither long and rambling nor short and lacking substance. A clear and comprehensive purpose statement and introduction are provided that delineate all required criteria. | 5 (5%) – 5 (5%) Paragraphs and sentences follow writing standards for flow, continuity, and clarity. A clear and comprehensive purpose statement, introduction, and conclusion are provided that delineate all required criteria. |
4 (4%) – 4 (4%) Paragraphs and sentences follow writing standards for flow, continuity, and clarity 80% of the time. Purpose, introduction, and conclusion of the assignment are stated, yet they are brief and not descriptive. |
3.5 (3.5%) – 3.5 (3.5%) Paragraphs and sentences follow writing standards for flow, continuity, and clarity 60%–79% of the time. Purpose, introduction, and conclusion of the assignment are vague or off topic. |
0 (0%) – 3 (3%) Paragraphs and sentences follow writing standards for flow, continuity, and clarity < 60% of the time. No purpose statement, introduction, or conclusion were provided. |
| Written Expression and Formatting – English writing standards: Correct grammar, mechanics, and proper punctuation | 5 (5%) – 5 (5%) Uses correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation with no errors |
4 (4%) – 4 (4%) Contains one or two grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors |
3.5 (3.5%) – 3.5 (3.5%) Contains three or four grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors |
0 (0%) – 3 (3%) Contains many (five or more) grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors that interfere with the reader’s understanding |
| Written Expression and Formatting – The paper follows correct APA format for title page, headings, font, spacing, margins, indentations, page numbers, parenthetical/in-text citations, and reference list. | 5 (5%) – 5 (5%) Uses correct APA format with no errors |
4 (4%) – 4 (4%) Contains one or two APA format errors |
3.5 (3.5%) – 3.5 (3.5%) Contains three or four APA format errors |
0 (0%) – 3 (3%) Contains many (five or more) APA format errors |
| Total Points: 100 |
Name: NRNP_6665_Week9_Assignment_Rubric