Considering Mrs. Spinner’s symptoms, and the diagnostic criteria provided in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders-5 (DSM-S), she meets criteria for depersonalization/derealization disorder.
Depersonalization/derealization disorder is characterized by the presence of persistent or recurrent experiences of depersonalization, derealization, or both (Criterion A). Individuals experiencing depersonalization may have feelings of unreality, detachment, or as if they were being an outside observer of their own thoughts, feelings, sensations, body, or actions (p. ). Similarly, symptoms of derealization may include feelings of unreality or detachment; however, this feelings should be experienced with respect to the individual’s direct surroundings, where objects can be experienced as unreal, dreamlike, foggy, lifeless, or visual distorted (p. ). In the case of Mrs. Spinner, she clearly presents both depersonalization and derealization symptoms. For example, as mentioned in this case, Mrs. Spinner …show more content…
Spinner receives medical treatment to help control the mental health symptoms associated with dissociative disorders. For example, the use of antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications such as fluoxetine, clomipramine and clonazepam.
More specifically, a possible technique that could be effective when treating Mrs. Spinner’s symptoms, would be dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). As described by Corey (2009), by incorporating behavioral and cognitive behavioral techniques, and including a certain form of exposure therapy, the client could learn to tolerate painful emotions without experiencing mechanisms of dissociation. During intervention. Mrs. Spinner should develop new skills that will help her become aware of the present moment without altering reality, and how to let go of attachments that could result in suffering and
Depersonalization/derealization disorder is characterized by the presence of persistent or recurrent experiences of depersonalization, derealization, or both (Criterion A). Individuals experiencing depersonalization may have feelings of unreality, detachment, or as if they were being an outside observer of their own thoughts, feelings, sensations, body, or actions (p. ). Similarly, symptoms of derealization may include feelings of unreality or detachment; however, this feelings should be experienced with respect to the individual’s direct surroundings, where objects can be experienced as unreal, dreamlike, foggy, lifeless, or visual distorted (p. ). In the case of Mrs. Spinner, she clearly presents both depersonalization and derealization symptoms. For example, as mentioned in this case, Mrs. Spinner …show more content…
Spinner receives medical treatment to help control the mental health symptoms associated with dissociative disorders. For example, the use of antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications such as fluoxetine, clomipramine and clonazepam.
More specifically, a possible technique that could be effective when treating Mrs. Spinner’s symptoms, would be dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). As described by Corey (2009), by incorporating behavioral and cognitive behavioral techniques, and including a certain form of exposure therapy, the client could learn to tolerate painful emotions without experiencing mechanisms of dissociation. During intervention. Mrs. Spinner should develop new skills that will help her become aware of the present moment without altering reality, and how to let go of attachments that could result in suffering and