The rise in diagnosed cases of dissociative identity disorder in the 1980s and 1990s has raised concerns because many cases may be what?

The rise in diagnosed cases of dissociative identity disorder in the 1980s and 1990s has raised concerns because many cases may be what?

• A. There are no research studies that confirm the disorder's existence
• B. This is a ploy used by criminals to avoid consequences for their criminal activity
• C. The disorder cannot be definitively diagnosed until the person has been in therapy for more than seven years
• D. Many of the cases are unintentionally produced by clinicians

Answer: (D)

The point being tested is how therapy can unintentionally shape what gets diagnosed as dissociative identity disorder. In the 1980s and 1990s, DID diagnoses surged, and a major concern was that some of these cases were not naturally occurring but were produced or reinforced by clinicians through their interviewing methods. Techniques like hypnotic suggestion, leading questions, and a strong expectation to find multiple identities or trauma histories can cue patients to adopt or elaborate alternate identities. This iatrogenic effect means the therapy itself may create or amplify the very symptoms it aims to treat, raising questions about the disorder’s true prevalence and validity. Other options don’t fit as well because they assume there’s no evidence or rely on implausible scenarios, like criminals using DID to dodge consequences or a fixed, years-long therapy requirement for diagnosis. In fact, there is substantial debate and research about DID, but the strongest, most supported concern in this context is the possibility that clinicians can unintentionally produce or shape dissociative symptoms through their methods.

The point being tested is how therapy can unintentionally shape what gets diagnosed as dissociative identity disorder. In the 1980s and 1990s, DID diagnoses surged, and a major concern was that some of these cases were not naturally occurring but were produced or reinforced by clinicians through their interviewing methods. Techniques like hypnotic suggestion, leading questions, and a strong expectation to find multiple identities or trauma histories can cue patients to adopt or elaborate alternate identities. This iatrogenic effect means the therapy itself may create or amplify the very symptoms it aims to treat, raising questions about the disorder’s true prevalence and validity.

Other options don’t fit as well because they assume there’s no evidence or rely on implausible scenarios, like criminals using DID to dodge consequences or a fixed, years-long therapy requirement for diagnosis. In fact, there is substantial debate and research about DID, but the strongest, most supported concern in this context is the possibility that clinicians can unintentionally produce or shape dissociative symptoms through their methods.