MCAT Psychology Question — Dissociative Disorder

  • Reviewed By: Liz Flagge
  • In response to period of extreme psychological trauma, a patient begins experiencing a feeling of detachment. He says, “I felt like it wasn’t real while it was happening. I was just watching myself do it without any control. I mean, you know, I knew it was happening but I didn’t feel like it was.” The patient is describing:

    A) Dissociative identity disorder

    B) An anxiety disorder

    C) Depersonalization disorder

    D) A schizophrenic episode

    Explanation

    Feeling like something is not real or that you have no control over what’s going on while still retaining awareness that this is just a feeling is depersonalization, a type of dissociative disorder. Thus choice C is correct.

    A) Dissociative identity disorder

    B) An anxiety disorder

    C) Depersonalization disorder

    D) A schizophrenic episode

    A: Dissociative identity disorder involves 2 or more personalities with imperfect recall between them.

    B: Anxiety disorders are mood disorders characterized by excessive levels of arousal.

    D: Schizophrenia is characterized by hallucinations, delusions, and disordered thinking.

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