The Nature of Trauma and Dissociation
The assessment of dissociative disorders
In this presentation, Remy Aquarone, director of the Pottergate Centre, Norwich, UK, explains the value of the Structured Clinical Interview (SCID-D). This assessment instrument was created for the diagnosis of DSM-IV Axis 1 disorders, a list that includes Dissociative Disorders. Remy Aquarone takes us through the criteria for the assessment and diagnosis of dissociation disorders, giving detailed explanation of key symptoms. These include the five dissociative disorders outlined in DSM-IV: Dissociative amnesia, dissociative fugue, depersonalisation disorder, dissociative disorders (not otherwise specified) and dissociative identity disorders (DID). He outlines the importance of a structured assessment process for distinguishing between dissociative disorders and other possible diagnoses so that an appropriate treatment strategy can be reached. He continues to describe how symptoms of past trauma bring people into treatment, the challenges and rigors of effective psychotherapy and an effective treatment approach. The presentation stresses the importance of firm structures, boundaries and supporting the patient’s need to include a coping adult personality/part in the therapeutic alliance. The goal of therapy is discussed, including views on the importance of integration.
Terrific. A humane and clear description of how Remy Aquarone assesses and manages patients with dissociative disorders. I found it very helpful and will take what I learned into my own psychotherapy practice.
Structured description of screening and assessment and the need to consider the body and contradictions. I found examples really useful for getting a real sense of what is being discussed. A lot of the aspects sounds familiar to a Mentalization based therapy perspective. I wondered about the differentiation between diagnosis’s of personality disorders and dissociative disorders, whether there was significant differentiation, and practically whether treatment would depend on how services are set up.
A good talk, I enjoyed it.
A really grounded, intelligent, humble and humane overview . Thank you. I loved the appreciation, in the latter case example, that you have to follow where the energy is.
How absolutely and eternally true that is !
I found this overview really easy to follow, understand and grounding… Spoke about each patient mindfully combining the clinical elements.. thank you so much.
Really well structured and clear with lots of examples