Dissociative disorders are most likely to be characterized by disruptions in conscious awareness and sense of identity. offensive and unwanted thoughts that persistently preoccupy a person. a hyperactive, wildly optimistic state of emotion. alternations between extreme hopelessness and unrealistic optimism.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Correct answer:
Disruptions in conscious awareness and sense of identity.
Explanation:
Dissociative disorders are a category of psychological conditions that involve a disconnection or lack of continuity between thoughts, memories, surroundings, actions, and identity. The most defining feature of these disorders is a disruption in conscious awareness, memory, and the sense of self. Individuals with dissociative disorders may feel detached from their bodies or thoughts and may experience memory loss that cannot be explained by ordinary forgetfulness.
There are several types of dissociative disorders, including dissociative identity disorder, dissociative amnesia, and depersonalization or derealization disorder. Dissociative identity disorder, previously known as multiple personality disorder, involves the presence of two or more distinct personality states that control an individual’s behavior at different times. Dissociative amnesia refers to memory loss that is more extensive than normal forgetfulness and cannot be attributed to a medical condition. Depersonalization disorder involves persistent feelings of detachment from one’s self or one’s surroundings, as though one is watching themselves from outside their body.
These disorders are usually triggered by trauma or severe stress. The dissociative symptoms often develop as a coping mechanism to distance oneself from painful memories or emotions. For example, a person who has experienced childhood abuse may develop dissociative identity disorder as a way to mentally escape the trauma.
The other options in the question refer to symptoms found in different disorders. Offensive and unwanted thoughts that preoccupy a person are characteristic of obsessive-compulsive disorder. A hyperactive and wildly optimistic emotional state is linked with mania, a feature of bipolar disorder. Alternations between hopelessness and unrealistic optimism also describe mood swings associated with bipolar disorder, not dissociative disorders.
Thus, the most accurate and defining characteristic of dissociative disorders is the disruption in conscious awareness and identity.
