Caring for Individuals with Dissociative Disorders

Caring for Individuals with Dissociative Disorders
January 12, 2022
Objectives:
At the completion of this presentation, participants will be able to:​
​Describe the etiology and signs/symptoms of dissociative disorders (DDs)
Identify concrete strategies for managing acute, intrusive symptoms experienced by individuals with DDs.
Briana L. Snyder, PhD, RN, PMH-BC, CNE, RYT 200
Assistant Professor & Graduate Program Director | Nursing
Dr. Snyder is an assistant professor and graduate program director in the Department of Nursing at Towson University, where she has worked since 2016. She is a board-certified psychiatric-mental health nurse, and she has maintained clinical practice on the inpatient Trauma Disorders Unit at Sheppard Pratt Hospital in Towson since 2009. Her area of expertise and research focus is on the care of individuals diagnosed with dissociative disorders and other trauma-related disorders.

[@Cathy-xi8cb]

Trauma survivors with DID can be frozen after a medical crisis or a fire emergency. They can have extremely low HR, B/P, and be unable to communicate clearly. This is not calmness. This is terror. They may be afraid of you touching them in any way, not give you eye contact, and be unresponsive to your words while hearing everything you say. Their refusal of medical attention is not being difficult. It is extreme fear. Be compassionate and think of how you would treat a very young child instead of the adult that you see in front of you.

[@growwithsarahandmrkite]

Thank you for educating ems on this topic. As someone with a DD, it is often forgotten about.

[@Msgabrisia]

Thank you soooo much for doing this! May all health care providers be properly trained ❤️ this will help decrease retraumatization during in patient care

[@allisontork]

E MMA