Dissociative Disorders - Diagnosis and Treatment

Diagnosis of Dissociative Disorders

The diagnosis of dissociative disorder requires patience on part of both the doctor and the patient. Usually, the doctor begins by talking to the person coping with the ailment. The initial diagnosis protocol may involve the following —

• Physical exam

The doctor will examine the physical health of the patients. They may recommend certain tests to rule out any physical causes such as the impact of any head injury, brain diseases, sleep disorders, and alcohol/drug abuse.

• Discuss

The doctor will talk to you about previous incidents and those associated with your family history. They may also ask about any history of trauma or abuse. If needed, the doctor may also try to speak to family members and friends to get a better understanding.

• Mental Health Exam

The doctor will examine the mental health of the person with certain aptitude tests and other examinations.

Treatment

The treatment for dissociative disorders may vary depending on the type of disorder. The most common protocols for dissociative disorders treatment include medicine and talk therapy.

1. Medicine

Dissociative disorders have no specific medication. The doctor may prescribe antidepressants, anti-anxiety, or antipsychotic drugs to help with mental health symptoms associated with the disorder.

2. Talk Therapy (Psychotherapy)

This is the primary therapy for patients with dissociative disorders. It involves talking to the patient. This specific type of psychotherapy used for dissociative disorders include:

• Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT):

CBT is a structured and goal-oriented style of therapy where the therapist helps patient understand their thoughts and emotions; it helps to unlearn negative thoughts and behaviours. It also helps to adopt a healthier thinking pattern.

• Dialectical behavioural therapy (DBT):

DBT is especially helpful for people who experience intense and debilitating emotions. The main goal of DBT is to strike a balance between acceptance and validation. The therapist helps patients regulate their emotions better.

Therapy can be difficult, as it involves remembering and learning to deal with past trauma. But it can significantly help your symptoms in the long term.

3. Other therapies that can help include:

• Hypnosis

Hypnosis or hypnotherapy is a state of deep relaxation and focused concentration. When you’re under hypnosis, it allows you to ignore ordinary distractions and be more open to guided suggestions to make changes to improve your health.

• EMDR therapy

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy involves moving your eyes a specific way while you process traumatic memories. The goal of this therapy is to help you heal from trauma or other distressing life experiences. Compared to other therapy methods, EMDR is relatively new.

When should you see the Doctor?

If you’re experiencing symptoms of a dissociative disorder, talk to a healthcare provider or mental health professional. Mental health professionals can offer treatment plans that can help you manage your condition.

Preparing for your Appointment

Before your appointment, make a list of the symptoms you experiencing, details of personal and medical information, and question you would like to ask the doctor such as is my condition short-term or long-term, what treatment is recommended, should I see a specialist etc.

Conclusion

Healthcare providers diagnose dissociative disorders by assessing your symptoms and personal history. With professional treatment (usually psychotherapy), many people with a dissociative disorder can address the major symptoms of the condition and improve their daily functioning.

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Source: therecoveryvillage.com, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov, mind.org.uk, my.clevelandclinic.org, mayoclinic.org

Disclaimer: This blog provides general information and discussions about health and related subjects. The information and other content provided in this blog, website or any linked materials are not intended and should not be considered or used as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Kindly contact your doctor before starting a new medicine or health regime.

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Published on January 17, 2024