Question 1

Joshua is a rehabilitation counselor whose job is to help disabled people become reemployed in another appropriate occupation.Joshua is concerned that there has been an increase in the number of people claiming to be disabled by stress or feigning physical injuries in order to receive government disability payments.What concept best identifies Joshua's concern?

Accepted Answer

Joshua's concern is related to malingering, which refers to the intentional production or exaggeration of physical or psychological symptoms to obtain some secondary gain, such as disability payments. Malingering is a common issue faced by professionals working in disability evaluation and rehabilitation.

Question 2

Rule-governed and goal-directed experiences, displays of multiple role enactments, and social reinforcement are all key concepts in which explanation for dissociative disorders?

Accepted Answer

Sociocognitive theory suggests that dissociative disorders are the result of individual experiences that are shaped by social context and influenced by social reinforcement. Multiple role enactments, rule-governed behaviors, and goal-directed experiences are all central to this theory. Psychodynamic theory, on the other hand, emphasizes unconscious conflicts and childhood trauma as the basis for dissociative symptoms. Family systems theory examines the interactions and communication patterns within families as contributing to dissociation. Iatrogenic refers to symptoms or disorders that are inadvertently caused by treatment or therapy.

Question 3

What is a particular concern about using hypnosis with clients who have dissociative disorders?

Accepted Answer

Hypnosis can lead to the creation of false memories or personalities in highly suggestible clients, which is a particular concern for those with dissociative disorders.

Question 4

What is the major goal in treating dissociative identity disorder (DID)?

Accepted Answer

The major goal in treating dissociative identity disorder is to achieve fusion and complete integration of the individual personalities. This means that the different identities merge into one cohesive sense of self, allowing the individual to function more effectively in their daily life. Other treatments may focus on improving communication and cooperation between the different personalities, but ultimately the goal is to achieve integration.

Question 5

The behavioral approach to treating depersonalization disorder would emphasize the use of ____.

Accepted Answer

The behavioral approach to treating depersonalization disorder would focus on teaching the patient stress-coping mechanisms, self-reinforcement, and teaching significant others to respond positively to the "normal" behavior of the patient. This approach aims to help the patient learn how to manage and reduce their symptoms through behavioral techniques and support from those around them. It does not involve hypnosis or medication, and while exposure therapy techniques such as systematic desensitization could be helpful in some cases, they are not the primary focus of the behavioral approach to depersonalization disorder.

Question 6

Dr.Abdullah's new patient is diagnosed with dissociative fugue.Rather than doing in-depth psychotherapy, the doctor prescribes an antidepressant and provides emotional support.Why would Dr.Abdullah respond this way?

Accepted Answer

Dissociative fugue is a condition where a person experiences amnesia and wander away from their routine life. The condition can resolve spontaneously and antidepressants can help in treating associated symptoms like depression and anxiety. Dr.Abdullah's response indicates that they are aware of the natural course of the disorder and are addressing only the treatable symptoms.

Question 7

Because the origin of dissociative identity disorder in some cases may stem from the expectations and reinforcements of therapists, the disorder may be considered ____.

Accepted Answer

Dissociative identity disorder may be considered iatrogenic because it can result from the actions, beliefs, or expectations of therapists treating the individual, rather than being a naturally occurring disorder.

Question 8

What can be said about the authenticity of the well-known case of dissociative identity disorder (DID)involving Sybil?

Accepted Answer

Since the publication of the book "Sybil" by Flora Rheta Schreiber in 1973, the authenticity of the case of Sybil has been questioned. Sybil herself later denied that the events and personalities described in the book were true. Additionally, the methods used by Sybil's therapist, including hypnosis and the administration of barbiturates, have been criticized as potentially leading to false memories and suggestibility. Therefore, the most accurate answer is D, that the authenticity of the case has been questioned.

Question 9

Wanda fakes her pain complaints because she is hoping to get a large monetary award from an insurance company.Roberta experiences fever and pain because she has injected herself with bacteria.Wanda's behavior illustrates ____; Roberta's behavior illustrates ____.

Accepted Answer

Wanda's behavior is malingering because she is faking symptoms for external gain (monetary award). Roberta's behavior is factitious disorder because she is deliberately causing symptoms for psychological reasons, not for external incentives.

Question 10

A psychologist says, "We know it is a psychological disorder because the physical symptoms have no physiological basis and the symptoms are not under voluntary control." What is the psychologist describing?

Accepted Answer

The definition provided by the psychologist matches the criteria for a somatic symptom disorder, in which an individual experiences physical symptoms that have no organic basis and are not under voluntary control.

Question 11

Which symptoms are often found in association with fugue and dissociative amnesia?

Accepted Answer

Stress and depression are commonly associated with fugue and dissociative amnesia, as they are often triggered by traumatic or stressful events. Conversion disorder and hysteria, hypochondriasis, and phobia are not commonly associated with these conditions. Depression and mania may be present in some individuals, but they are not specific to fugue and dissociative amnesia.

Question 12

Dr.Newman used hypnosis to help Marianne return to her childhood and uncover a hidden trauma that might be causing her symptoms.Dr.Newman's therapeutic orientation is probably ____.

Accepted Answer

The use of hypnosis and the focus on uncovering hidden traumas suggests a psychodynamic orientation, which emphasizes the role of unconscious conflicts and early childhood experiences in shaping current behavior and psychological functioning. A humanistic/existential orientation would focus on the individual's subjective experience and the search for meaning in life. A cognitive orientation would focus more on exploring and challenging maladaptive thought patterns. A behaviorist orientation would focus on observable behaviors and reinforcements.

Question 13

In the movie Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Ferris deliberately faked his own headaches and stomach pains so that he could avoid going to school.Aside from his irresponsibility, Ferris would best be diagnosed as exhibiting ____.

Accepted Answer

Ferris Bueller's actions are best described as malingering, where an individual fakes illness or symptoms to achieve a specific goal, such as avoiding school.

Question 14

Donna is diagnosed as having dissociative identity disorder.She can expect that her therapist will likely help her become aware of her different personalities through the use of psychotherapy and ____.

Accepted Answer

Hypnosis has been found to be an effective technique in helping individuals with dissociative identity disorder become aware of their different personalities and work towards integrating them. Antidepressant medication, biofeedback, and systematic desensitization are not typically used as primary treatments for dissociative identity disorder.

Question 15

The chief difference between complex somatic symptom disorder with somatization features and factitious disorders is whether the condition is ____.

Accepted Answer

The chief difference between complex somatic symptom disorder with somatization features and factitious disorders is whether the condition is self-inflicted or not. In complex somatic symptom disorder with somatization features, the symptoms are not consciously produced and the patient is genuinely distressed by them, while in factitious disorders, the symptoms are intentionally self-induced to gain attention or sympathy.

Question 16

What is the primary difference between factitious disorder and malingering?

Accepted Answer

The primary difference between factitious disorder and malingering is that factitious disorder involves intentionally inducing symptoms without an apparent motive or incentive, while malingering involves feigning symptoms for a specific goal or motivation (such as financial gain or avoiding work duties). In factitious disorder, the individual may enjoy assuming the role of a sick patient, while in malingering, the individual is typically seeking external rewards or benefits from their feigned symptoms.

Question 17

Which of the following is a somatic symptom disorder?

Accepted Answer

Somatic symptom disorder (formerly known as somatoform disorder) is characterized by a preoccupation with physical symptoms (such as pain or fatigue) that causes significant distress or impairment in daily functioning. Functional neurological symptom disorder, also known as conversion disorder, falls under this category as it involves the manifestation of physical symptoms without a clear underlying medical cause. Generalized anxiety disorder and depersonalization disorder are not somatic symptom disorders, while dissociative identity disorder is a dissociative disorder.

Question 18

Saying that dissociative identity disorder is iatrogenic means that it is ____.

Accepted Answer

Saying that dissociative identity disorder is iatrogenic means that it is an unintended result of therapy. This means that it is not a fictitious diagnosis, caused by blocking the full expression of id impulses, or an unacceptable way of avoiding social responsibilities.

Question 19

What mental health problem is typically associated with both dissociative amnesia and dissociative fugue?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What mental health problem is typically associated...

Question 20

Coons (1986)did follow-up research on twenty patients treated for dissociative identity disorder.The findings show that ____.

Accepted Answer

Coons (1986) found that about one-third of the patients treated for dissociative identity disorder were unable to work due to their disorder.

Quiz 7: Somatic Symptom and Dissociative Disorders