The diagnosis and treatment process of dissociative disorder patients remains one of the most underserved fields with a substantial impact on public health (Loewenstein, 2022). The issue remains to be the confusing nature of dealing with the disorders’ patients and the varying undistinctive nature of its symptoms. However, a therapeutic relationship with patients is important to achieve better mental outcomes. A therapeutic relationship with clients with a dissociative disorder can be maintained by taking time to understand their emotions from a neutral perspective, understanding what triggers them, and educating them on such emotions and how to manage them. According to Kornhaber et al. (2016), therapeutic relationships with a patient could be improved by taking time to therapeutically listen to the patient, respond professionally to the patient’s expressed emotions, identify their unmet needs and wants, and placing the patient at the center of the therapy sessions.
Having sufficient knowledge of dissociative disorders is another way in which to develop and maintain a therapeutic relationship with a client who has dissociative disorders. Knowledge can help therapists look beyond beliefs and myths about dissociative disorders and differentiate between related manifestations from other mental disorders. Bolsinger et al. (2019) point out that improving research efforts in acute psychiatric settings and promoting awareness can create necessary competencies for both clinicians and patients, which can facilitate a good therapeutic relationship in such care settings.
The beliefs held by professionals on dissociative disorders in the health care sectors, especially those tasked with diagnosing and treating dissociative disorders, have an impact on clinical, ethical, and legal considerations when dealing with related patients. One of the major legal and ethical considerations is the accountability of people with dissociative disorders for their actions. For instance, in a case trial, an individual cannot be held accountable if they claim to have dissociative disorders. However, the advice of a qualified mental health specialist is required to ascertain the psychological fitness of the convicted to stand or not stand for trial (Rocchio, 2020). In clinical settings, mental health nurses handling patients with dissociative disorders need to understand the vulnerabilities associated with such patients and provide person-centered therapy and care that best meets their emotional condition. This consideration reduces the chances of causing unintended mental harm to the patient during therapy.
Brand, B. L., Sar, V., Stavropoulos, P., Krüger, C., Korzekwa, M., Martínez-Taboas, A., & Middleton, W. (2016). Separating fact from fiction: An empirical examination of six myths about dissociative identity disorder. Harvard review of psychiatry.
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