As with PTSD, dissociative disorders are best treated with psychotherapy. The International Society for the Study of Dissociation has published a set of treatment guidelines which are good guidelines for treatment. Treatment can last several years, and the goals usually include integration of the different parts of the personality (or at least improved communication among the parts). There is some controversy concerning the rates of occurrence for dissociative disorders in the population. One study conducted in Canada suggested that 1% of the population may have a dissociative disorder. Others believe that the disorder is much more rare. Since child abuse is usually a factor, the different opinions about the frequency of child abuse is probably related to the debate about the frequency of dissociative disorders.
Some related articles:
- The Debate over Recovered Memories: A $5.8 million award sparks renewed interest in the discussion of recovered memories and false memories.
- Guest Column from the Memory Wars: A patient who attended a controversial treatment program speaks out.
- Pros and Cons of Support Groups for Trauma Survivors. : Real life and Online groups both have advantages and disadvantages.
- The U.S. Government files Charges Against Therapists: Should all Therapists worry about this?
- New Research on Recovered Memories: A new Dutch study documents that memory for abuse can be lost and then recovered.
- Corroboration of Child Abuse Memories: Elizabeth Bowman, M.D. reviews the literature on recovered memories which have been corroborated.
- Reliability and Suggestibility of Child Abuse Memories A look at the literature on hypnosis and memory and the implications for recovered memories.
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A Discussion about Dissociative Disorders
Last updated 11/5/05
