Dissociation Across Psychiatric Disorders: A Confounding Factor or An Opportunity for Research and Innovation

Abstract
The clinical heterogeneity of dissociation constitutes a challenge to the clinician and researchers. Variability in experiencing dissociation, the interplay between acute and chronic, and predominance of a nosologically interface type of clinical surface conceal core dissociative symptoms. While the latter (amnesia, depersonalization, derealization, identity confusion and identity alteration) usually remain underreported, the clinical surface may be dominated by acute (functional neurological symptoms, brief psychosis, an experience of possession, acute dissociative reaction to a stressful event) or chronic (mood and personality disorders) secondary syndromes. However, these syndromes also constitute gateways in pursuing the clues of core dissociation. Given that culture influences communication between clinician and patient, accurate expression of mental content requires the idiomatic armamentarium describing the experience. The latter is problematic in dealing with phenomena of core dissociation while the secondary representations have relatively universal character for both clinicians and patients. Nevertheless, this approach requires a transdiagnostic understanding in conceiving this clinical interface. This interface reflects, in fact, complications of dissociative disorders which require to be addressed in the first line. This is either due to the medical and psychiatric urgency (e.g. functional neurological symptoms, brief psychosis) or due to resistance to treatment (e.g. antidepressant pharmacotherapy) which seem to be indicated for the particular condition. This transdiagnostic schema is based on a combined utilization of etic and emic principles in cultural understanding of psychiatric disorders. Namely, universal medical-psychiatric categories are conceived as tools of communication and mutual understanding rather than being mere appearances or primary disturbances. On the other hand, not only clinical studies, research on neurobiology of dissociation as well as other psychiatric disorders are also heavily affected by the parallel-distinct presence of psychopathological constructs. Nevertheless, consideration of this natural phenomenon would serve as a new avenue for psychiatry in general which is hoped to lead discoveries improving prevention and treatment of the affected population.
 

Potential to Distress
No

This presentation was originally presented as a live webinar in May 2022.

Target Audience

Intermediate

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this webinar participants will be able to:

  • List three acute or chronic secondary syndromes
  • Discuss the influences of dissociation on other psychiatric disorders
  • Describe the cultural aspects of the interaction between clinical surface and core psychopathology in dissociative disorders
  • Identify potential areas of innovation in psychiatry through the comorbidity problem related to dissociation
Course summary
Available credit: 
  • 1.50 APA
    The International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
  • 1.50 ASWB ACE
    The International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation (ISSTD), #1744, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. ISSTD maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period: 08/20/2021 – 08/20/2024. Social workers completing this course receive 1.50 continuing education credits.
  • 1.50 ISSTD Certificate Program
    This program is eligible for 1.50 credits in the ISSTD Certificate Program.
Course opens: 
03/01/2023
Course expires: 
12/31/2050
ISSTD Member cost:
$35.00
Your Price:
$35.00
Rating: 
0

Presenter: Vedat Sar
Presenter Bio: Vedat Sar, MD is a psychiatrist and professor/chair in the Department of Psychiatry, Koc University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey. He has been studying and teaching dissociative disorders and complex trauma since early 90’ies in various general psychiatric settings including inpatient, outpatient, and emergency units of academic hospitals as well as in a solo private practice. Main focus of his research has been epidemiology, diagnosis, and comorbidity issues on the spectrum of trauma-related disorders. He has published peer-reviewed papers and book chapters on the subject alongside two co-edited books. He is a Fellow and Past President of the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation (ISSTD) and Past President of the European Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ESTSS). He has been honored by ISSTD with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Available Credit

  • 1.50 APA
    The International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
  • 1.50 ASWB ACE
    The International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation (ISSTD), #1744, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. ISSTD maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period: 08/20/2021 – 08/20/2024. Social workers completing this course receive 1.50 continuing education credits.
  • 1.50 ISSTD Certificate Program
    This program is eligible for 1.50 credits in the ISSTD Certificate Program.

Price

ISSTD Member cost:
$35.00
Your Price:
$35.00
Please login or register to take this course.

"Your Price" above reflects your final price based on your membership status and career level. 

  • ISSTD defines a student as those enrolled in a program of study leading to a degree or certification in the mental health field and who have an interest in trauma and dissociation. 
  • ISSTD defines an emerging professional as mental health professionals who have completed an advanced degree and are in the first three years of their career (or first three years after graduation for researchers).
  • If you do not fall into one of the above categories please register as Professional/Retired. 

These prices are for Tier I countries. For a list of countries by Tier click here. If you are located in a country that falls into Tier II-VI please contact ISSTD at cfas@isst-d.org to receive the appropriate discount code. 

Registration Policies
Cancellations prior to the webinar are subject to a $10 cancellation fee. No refunds are provided for no shows. The deadline for cancellations with a refund is May 2, 2022 at 5:00pm US Eastern Time. Requests for cancellation should be sent to cfas@isst-d.org.

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