Controversy Surrounding Dissociative Disoders (Essay Sample)

Dissociative Disorders Author’s Name Institutional affiliation Course Number: Course Name Instructor’s Name Due Date Dissociative Disorders Dissociative disorders (DD) are involuntary disconnections of an individual’s memories, thoughts, perceptions, and awareness from reality (Sadock et al., 2015). Such conditions are risky to health because they are unintentional. The mind classifies and omits certain memories from normal consciousness (Subramanyam et al., 2020). Examples of dissociative disorders include dissociative amnesia, depersonalization or derealization disorder, and dissociative identity disorder (Gupta & Malhotra, 2018). Trauma is the main cause of DD, and the human brain prevents one from reliving horrifying memories by detaching from reality. In such cases, patients exhibit amnesia, distorted perceptions, stress, anxiety, and inability to cope with emotional issues. Considering the inadequate understanding of the health conditions among healthcare professionals and other people, dissociative disorders are characterized by controversies. The current report is an evaluation of the myths and beliefs regarding DD and the clinical, legal, and ethical issues a professional should consider to maintain therapeutic relationships with patients. The Controversy that Surrounds Dissociative Disorders Although dissociative disorders may be associated with cumulative or early-life psychological trauma, determining the relationship between the two is difficult. For instance, detecting DD is problematic, causing a challenge regarding the validity of the diagnoses (Pietkiewicz et al., 2021). Therefore, critics doubt whether such health conditions can be considered distinct problems. Most dissociative disorders can only be explained using the symptoms that coincide with known mental disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (Bryant, 2019). Borderline personality disorder is another mental condition with symptoms similar to dissociative disorders. In addition, there are no clear-cut symptoms to distinguish DD from other mental illnesses. Dissociative disorders are controversial because many factors are cited for causing them (Grande, 2018). In addition to trauma, some professionals believe therapy-related memories can cause dissociative disorders. For instance, dissociative identity disorder, also known as multiple personality disorder, is controversial since its symptoms are similar to those of obsessive-compulsive disorder, PTSD, or panic disorder. Despite the arguments that DD may be misdiagnosed, the conditions are recognized as distinct mental illnesses. Professional Beliefs about Dissociative Disorders Professionals are confused by the controversy regarding the distinctiveness of dissociative disorders. Therefore, it is believed that DD are rare and that people cannot have two or more separate personalities. However, it is important to note that dissociative disorders are real, and some patients have been diagnosed with such conditions. Studies show that populations around the world experience dissociative disorders. A study by Brand et al. (2016) confirmed that about 15% of the patients with PTSD exhibited high levels of dissociative symptoms. Consequently, DD were recognized as distinct illnesses because they are subtypes of PTSD. Recent research proves dissociative disorders are a distinct syndrome among people with disturbed personalities. According to Reinders and Veltman (2020), DD patients also exhibit symptoms of borderline traits. Although the individuals have multiple signs similar to those of other mental disorders, such as PTSD, they present characters unique t DD. In this case, it has been confirmed that dissociative disorders are unique mental illnesses under a separate category. Therefore, medical practitioners such as nurses should be keen to identify DD and treat them appropriately. Practical treatment approaches to dissociative disorders have been identified. Literature shows that psychotherapy is the primary intervention for healing dissociative disorders (Subramanyam et al., 2020). It is essential to identify the right psychologist to offer therapy. Moreover, the strategy can be supplemented with pharmacotherapy to attain positive outcomes (Gentile et al., 2013). The existence of clearly defined approaches to treating DD affirms that the conditions exist distinctively and should be treated as such. Therefore, nurses and other professionals should focus on helping patients. Maintaining the Therapeutic Relationship with a Client with a Dissociative Disorder Dissociative disorders are primarily treated through counseling. However, the administration of medicines may also be adopted when necessary. According to Subramanyam et al. (2020) and Gentile et al. (2013), psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy are the principal strategies for treating dissociative disorders. The therapist should create and maintain therapeutic relations with the patient in this case. First, the psychologist should not judge the client. Therefore, it is essential to create a safe environment to make the patient develop trust. Consequently, the therapist will foster rapport. It is also essential to create clear boundaries and respect them while avoiding triggers that may negatively affect the pace of therapy. Finally, the psychiatrist must use appropriate language for traumatized patients and collaborate with other professionals when the need arises. Ethical and Legal Considerations Related to Dissociative Disorders Professionals should comply with specific legal and ethical requirements when dealing with patients with DD. First, a therapist must ensure client details are always kept confidential (American Psychological Association, 2019). One should seek consent from the patient before engaging in any procedure. The implication is that both the client and the psychologist should adhere to patient-doctor boundaries. To avoid legal liability, it is essential to adhere to safety rules by ensuring that neither the patients nor the therapist are harmed. The therapist should respect the client's rights and culture by maintaining professional objectivity. Finally, the psychologist should prevent and report suspected adverse events such as self-harm or child abuse. The outlined ethical and legal considerations are important because they will ensure client and therapist safety, leading to positive outcomes. Conclusion It has been established that dissociative diso...