1
|
Pierorazio NA, Robertson JL, Snyder BL, Brand BL, Schielke HJ. Helpful and meaningful aspects of a psychoeducational programme to treat complex dissociative disorders: a qualitative approach. Eur J Psychotraumatol 2024; 15:2323421. [PMID: 38516929 PMCID: PMC10962306 DOI: 10.1080/20008066.2024.2323421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose: Complex dissociative disorders (CDDs) are prevalent among psychotherapy clients, and research suggests carefully paced treatment for CDDs is helpful. The purpose of the present study is to qualitatively explore helpful and meaningful aspects of the TOP DD Network programme, a web-based adjunctive psychoeducational programme for the psychotherapeutic treatment of clients with CDDs.Methods: TOP DD Network programme participants (88 clients and 113 therapists) identified helpful and meaningful aspects of their participation in response to two open textbox questions. Framework analysis was used to qualitatively analyze client and therapist responses.Findings: Participants found the TOP DD Network programme helpful and meaningful in nuanced ways. Three themes were created: (1) Components of the Programme (subthemes: content, structure), (2) Change-Facilitating Processes (subthemes: heightened human connection, receiving external empathy and compassion, contributing to something bigger, improved therapeutic work and relationship), and (3) Outcomes (subthemes: insight, increased hope, self-compassion, increased safety and functioning). The most emphasized theme was components of the programme, which captured its content and structure.Conclusion: Clients and therapists in the TOP DD Network programme described the programme's components and processes as helpfully facilitating positive outcomes in the treatment of CDDs. Therapists may consider integrating the components and processes in the programme into their practice with clients with CDDs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas A. Pierorazio
- Department of Psychology, Towson University, Towson, MD, USA
- Psychology Department, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
2
|
Purcell JB, Brand B, Browne HA, Chefetz RA, Shanahan M, Bair ZA, Baranowski KA, Davis V, Mangones P, Modell RL, Palermo CA, Robertson EC, Robinson MA, Ward L, Winternitz S, Kaufman ML, Lebois LAM. Treatment of dissociative identity disorder: leveraging neurobiology to optimize success. Expert Rev Neurother 2024; 24:273-289. [PMID: 38357897 PMCID: PMC10950423 DOI: 10.1080/14737175.2024.2316153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Dissociative identity disorder (DID) is a treatable mental health condition that is associated with a range of psychobiological manifestations. However, historical controversy, modern day misunderstanding, and lack of professional education have prevented accurate treatment information from reaching most clinicians and patients. These obstacles also have slowed empirical efforts to improve treatment outcomes for people with DID. Emerging neurobiological findings in DID provide essential information that can be used to improve treatment outcomes. AREAS COVERED In this narrative review, the authors discuss symptom characteristics of DID, including dissociative self-states. Current treatment approaches are described, focusing on empirically supported psychotherapeutic interventions for DID and pharmacological agents targeting dissociative symptoms in other conditions. Neurobiological correlates of DID are reviewed, including recent research aimed at identifying a neural signature of DID. EXPERT OPINION Now is the time to move beyond historical controversy and focus on improving DID treatment availability and efficacy. Neurobiological findings could optimize treatment by reducing shame, aiding assessment, providing novel interventional brain targets and guiding novel pharmacologic and psychotherapeutic interventions. The inclusion of those with lived experience in the design, planning and interpretation of research investigations is another powerful way to improve health outcomes for those with DID.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Juliann B Purcell
- Division of Depression and Anxiety Disorders, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA
- b Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Bethany Brand
- Department of Psychology, Towson University, Towson, MD, USA
| | - Heidi A Browne
- Division of Depression and Anxiety Disorders, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA
- Division of Women's Mental Health, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA
| | | | - Meghan Shanahan
- Division of Women's Mental Health, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA
| | - Zoe A Bair
- Division of Depression and Anxiety Disorders, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA
| | - Kim A Baranowski
- Division of Depression and Anxiety Disorders, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA
| | - Vona Davis
- Division of Women's Mental Health, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA
| | - Patricia Mangones
- Division of Women's Mental Health, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA
| | - Rebecca L Modell
- Division of Depression and Anxiety Disorders, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA
| | - Cori A Palermo
- Division of Depression and Anxiety Disorders, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA
| | - Emma C Robertson
- Division of Depression and Anxiety Disorders, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA
- Smith College, Northampton, MA, USA
| | - Matthew A Robinson
- Division of Depression and Anxiety Disorders, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA
- b Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Laura Ward
- Division of Depression and Anxiety Disorders, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA
| | - Sherry Winternitz
- Division of Depression and Anxiety Disorders, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA
- b Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Milissa L Kaufman
- Division of Depression and Anxiety Disorders, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA
- b Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Lauren A M Lebois
- Division of Depression and Anxiety Disorders, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA
- b Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Bachrach N, Rijkeboer MM, Arntz A, Huntjens RJC. Schema therapy for Dissociative Identity Disorder: a case report. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1151872. [PMID: 37151967 PMCID: PMC10160656 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1151872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Treatment for Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) often follows a practice-based psychodynamic psychotherapy approach that is conducted in three phases: symptom stabilization, trauma processing, and identity integration and rehabilitation. The percentage of patients that reach the third phase is relatively low, treatment duration is long, and the effects of this treatment on the core DID symptoms have been found to be small or absent, leaving room for improvement in the treatment of DID. Schema Therapy (ST) is an integrative psychotherapy that has been proposed as a treatment for DID. This approach is currently being investigated in several studies and has the potential to become an evidence-based treatment for DID. This case report presents an overview of the protocol adaptations for DID ST treatment. The presented case concerns a 43-year-old female patient with DID, depressive disorder (recurrent type), PTSD, cannabis use disorder, and BPD. Functioning was very low. She received 220 sessions of ST, which included direct trauma processing through Imagery Rescripting (ImRs). The patient improved in several domains: she experienced a reduction of PTSD symptoms, as well as dissociative symptoms, there were structural changes in the beliefs about the self, and loss of suicidal behaviors. After treatment she was able to stop her punitive mode, to express her feelings and needs to others, and to participate adequately in social interaction. This case report indicates that ST might be a viable treatment for DID, adding to a broader scope of treatment options for this patient group.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nathan Bachrach
- Department of Medical and Clinical Psychology, Tilburg University, Tilburg, Netherlands
- GGZ-Oost Brabant, Department of Personality Disorders, Helmond, Netherlands
| | - Marleen M. Rijkeboer
- Department of Clinical Psychological Science, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
- Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Arnoud Arntz
- Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Rafaële J. C. Huntjens
- Department of Experimental Psychotherapy and Psychopathology, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|