Pharmacotherapy for dissociative disorders: A systematic review

Survival, Attachment, and Healing: An Evolutionary Lens on Interventions for Trauma-Related Dissociation

Purpose

Dissociation is a necessary part of our threat response system, common to all animal species, normally temporarily activated under conditions of extreme or inescapable threat. Pathological dissociation, however, continues to occur after the initial threat has passed, in response to reminders or inaccessibility of safety and security. Present across the spectrum of psychiatric diagnoses, recurrent dissociative symptoms are linked to severe trauma exposure, insecure attachment, treatment non-response, and maladaptive coping behaviors such as substance use, suicidality, and self-harm. However, empirical studies testing treatments specific to dissociative processes remain scarce. This narrative review summarizes existing studies and provides theoretical, neurobiological, and evolutionary perspectives on dissociative processes and treatments for pathological dissociation.

Methods

A systematic search of five databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, APA PsycINFO, CINAHL plus, Scopus) was conducted on April 13, 2023. Peer-reviewed clinical studies with adult participants, assessing intervention effects on dissociative symptoms, were included. Results were thematically analyzed and summarized.

Results

Sixty-nine studies were identified, mainly focused on posttraumatic stress disorder, trauma-exposed populations, and borderline personality disorder. Psychotherapy was studied in 72.5% of studies; other interventions included medications and neurostimulation. The majority reported positive outcomes, despite the heterogeneous spectrum of interventions. However, treatment of dissociative symptoms was the primary objective in only a minority.

Conclusion

Pathological dissociation is a complex phenomenon involving brain and body systems designed for perceiving and responding to severe threats, requiring an individualized approach. A literature is emerging regarding potentially evidence-based treatments to help those impacted by recurrent dissociative symptoms. When contextualized within a neurobiological and evolutionary perspective, these treatments can be understood as facilitating an internal and/or relational sense of safety, resulting in symptom reduction. Further studies are needed to explore effective treatments for dissociative symptoms.

Clinical Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Naloxone

Naloxone is a World Health Organization (WHO)-listed essential medicine and is the first choice for treating the respiratory depression of opioids, also by lay-people witnessing an opioid overdose. Naloxone acts by competitive displacement of opioid agonists at the μ-opioid receptor (MOR). Its effect depends on pharmacological characteristics of the opioid agonist, such as dissociation rate from the MOR receptor and constitution of the victim. Aim of treatment is a balancing act between restoration of respiration (not consciousness) and avoidance of withdrawal, achieved by titration to response after initial doses of 0.4-2 mg. Naloxone is rapidly eliminated [half-life (t1/2) 60-120 min] due to high clearance. Metabolites are inactive. Major routes for administration are intravenous, intramuscular, and intranasal, the latter primarily for take-home naloxone. Nasal bioavailability is about 50%. Nasal uptake [mean time to maximum concentration (Tmax) 15-30 min] is likely slower than intramuscular, as reversal of respiration lag behind intramuscular naloxone in overdose victims. The intraindividual, interindividual and between-study variability in pharmacokinetics in volunteers are large. Variability in the target population is unknown. The duration of action of 1 mg intravenous (IV) is 2 h, possibly longer by intramuscular and intranasal administration. Initial parenteral doses of 0.4-0.8 mg are usually sufficient to restore breathing after heroin overdose. Fentanyl overdoses likely require higher doses of naloxone. Controlled clinical trials are feasible in opioid overdose but are absent in cohorts with synthetic opioids. Modeling studies provide valuable insight in pharmacotherapy but cannot replace clinical trials. Laypeople should always have access to at least two dose kits for their interim intervention.

Treatment of dissociative identity disorder: leveraging neurobiology to optimize success

INTRODUCTION

Dissociative identity disorder (DID) is a treatable mental health condition that is associated with a range of psychobiological manifestations. However, historical controversy, modern day misunderstanding, and lack of professional education have prevented accurate treatment information from reaching most clinicians and patients. These obstacles also have slowed empirical efforts to improve treatment outcomes for people with DID. Emerging neurobiological findings in DID provide essential information that can be used to improve treatment outcomes.

AREAS COVERED

In this narrative review, the authors discuss symptom characteristics of DID, including dissociative self-states. Current treatment approaches are described, focusing on empirically supported psychotherapeutic interventions for DID and pharmacological agents targeting dissociative symptoms in other conditions. Neurobiological correlates of DID are reviewed, including recent research aimed at identifying a neural signature of DID.

EXPERT OPINION

Now is the time to move beyond historical controversy and focus on improving DID treatment availability and efficacy. Neurobiological findings could optimize treatment by reducing shame, aiding assessment, providing novel interventional brain targets and guiding novel pharmacologic and psychotherapeutic interventions. The inclusion of those with lived experience in the design, planning and interpretation of research investigations is another powerful way to improve health outcomes for those with DID.

Sertraline-Induced Tics: A Case Report and Narrative Review

This brief report describes the case of a 16-year-old girl who was commenced on sertraline for anxiety and depression, and subsequently developed severe and debilitating motor tics. Cessation of sertraline was associated with the resolution of tics; after this, paroxetine was trialled and well tolerated with good response of targeted symptoms and without re-emergence of tics. A narrative literature review yielded a retrospective observational study and eight single case reports on selective serotonin receptor inhibitor-induced motor tics (three in adolescents and five in adults). Tics are not commonly considered as a side-effect of SSRIs. This case report is novel is several aspects: the tics emergence was immediate whereas previous cases were delayed; the tics symptoms were measured and quantified by a validated scale; a dose-response relationship was observed; to our knowledge, our case was the first adolescent female reported; and finally, paroxetine was well-tolerated as a substitute, although it is unclear whether the observed tics-sparing effect is co-incidental, ideocratic or can be replicated.

Treatment of dissociative symptoms with opioid antagonists: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

The clinical guidelines for the treatment of dissociation focus primarily on psychotherapy. However, different psychoactive drugs are used in clinical practice. The use of opioid antagonists has been proposed as a therapeutic option based on the theory that dissociation might be a phenomenon mediated by dysregulation of the endogenous opioid system.

OBJECTIVE

To review and meta-analyse the available evidence on the efficacy of the opioid antagonists naltrexone, naloxone, and nalmefene as treatments for dissociative symptoms and disorders.

METHOD

The PRISMA guidelines were followed, and this review was registered in Prospero with reference number CRD42021280976. The search was performed in the PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, EMBASE, PsycINFO, and PubPsych databases.

RESULTS

1,798 citations were obtained. After removing duplicates and applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, we included 5 comparative studies with 9 dissociation measures that had included a total of 154 participants, of whom 134 had been treated with an opioid antagonist. The results of the meta-analysis showed a treatment effect for dissociation when using opioid antagonists [pooled d = 1.46 (95% CI: 0.62-2.31)]. However, the studies we included were very heterogeneous [Q = 66.89 (p < .001)] and there may have been publication bias.

CONCLUSIONS

Although more research is needed and the results must be interpreted with caution because of the limited amount of data and heterogeneity in the studies and their methodological qualities, opioid antagonists (particularly naltrexone) are promising candidates for the treatment of dissociative symptoms and showed a moderate - large effect size in reducing these symptoms.

Dissoziation: ein transdiagnostisches Phänomen

Der Begriff der Dissoziation wurde in frühen Anfängen der Neurosenlehre verwendet, hat sich seither gewandelt und ist Ausgangspunkt vieler Kontroversen. Unter Dissoziation wird i. Allg. die Abspaltung sonst integrierter Gedächtnis‑, Bewusstseins‑, Identitäts- und Wahrnehmungsfunktionen (eigene Person und Umwelt) verstanden. Dissoziation ist ein klinisches Kriterium von Belastungsstörungen und der emotional instabilen Persönlichkeitsstörung; dissoziative Symptome haben sind ebenfalls als Phänomene bei anderen Erkrankungen hochrelevant. Differenzialdiagnostisch ist Schizophrenie bedeutsam. Die Unterscheidung zwischen Dissoziation von Detachment- und Kompartmentalisationstyp sowie die Berücksichtigung möglicher Traumatatypen können die Entwicklung von Krankheitsmodellen unterstützen. Die Behandlung basiert auf akkurater Diagnostik, einschließlich Biografie und Beziehungen. Komplexe Dissoziationslagen erfordern eine komplexe Therapie, weil neben der psychischen Integration weitere psychosoziale Bedarfe zu bedienen sind.

Prevalence and Characterization of Psychological Trauma in Patients with Fibromyalgia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background

Preliminary evidence suggests that psychological trauma, especially childhood trauma, is a risk factor for the onset of fibromyalgia (FM).

Objective

The main objective of this study consisted of evaluating the prevalence and detailed characteristics of psychological trauma in a sample of patients with FM, the chronology of trauma across the lifespan, and its clinical symptoms. We also calculated whether childhood trauma could predict the relationship with different clinical variables.

Method

Eighty-eight females underwent an interview to assess sociodemographic data, psychiatric comorbidities, level of pain, FM impact, clinical symptoms of anxiety, depression, insomnia, quality of life, and psychological trauma.

Results

The majority of participants (71.5%) met the diagnostic criteria for current post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Participants reported having suffered traumatic events throughout their lifespan, especially in childhood and early adolescence, in the form of emotional abuse, emotional neglect, sexual abuse, and physical abuse. Traumatic events predict both poor quality of life and a level of pain in adulthood. All patients showed clinically relevant levels of anxiety, depression, insomnia, suicidal thoughts, and pain, as well as somatic comorbidities and poor quality of life. Pain levels predicted anxiety, depression, dissociation, and insomnia symptoms. 84% of the sample suffered one or more traumatic events prior to the onset of pain.

Conclusions

Our data highlight the clinical complexity of patients with FM and the role of childhood trauma in the onset and maintenance of FM, as well as the high comorbidity between anxiety, depression, somatic symptoms, and FM. Our data also supports FM patients experiencing further retraumatization as they age, with an extremely high prevalence of current PTSD in our sample. These findings underscore the need for multidisciplinary programs for FM patients to address their physical pain and their psychiatric and somatic conditions, pay special attention to the assessment of psychological trauma, and provide trauma-focused interventions. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04476316. Registered on July 20th, 2020.

The Molecular Genetics of Dissociative Symptomatology: A Transdiagnostic Literature Review

Dissociative disorders are a common and frequently undiagnosed group of psychiatric disorders, characterized by disruptions in the normal integration of awareness, personality, emotion and behavior. The available evidence suggests that these disorders arise from an interaction between genetic vulnerability and stress, particularly traumatic stress, but the attention paid to the underlying genetic diatheses has been sparse. In this paper, the existing literature on the molecular genetics of dissociative disorders, as well as of clinically significant dissociative symptoms not reaching the threshold of a disorder, is reviewed comprehensively across clinical and non-clinical samples. Association studies suggest a link between dissociative symptoms and genes related to serotonergic, dopaminergic and peptidergic transmission, neural plasticity and cortisol receptor sensitivity, particularly following exposure to childhood trauma. Genome-wide association studies have identified loci of interest related to second messenger signaling and synaptic integration. Though these findings are inconsistent, they suggest biologically plausible mechanisms through which traumatic stress can lead to pathological dissociation. However, methodological concerns related to phenotype definition, study power, and correction for the confounding factors limit the value of these findings, and they require replication and extension in studies with better design.

A simplified 6-Item clinician administered dissociative symptom scale (CADSS-6) for monitoring dissociative effects of sub-anesthetic ketamine infusions

BACKGROUND

Dissociation is a treatment-emergent adverse event commonly associated with IV ketamine, often measured using the 23-item Clinician-Administered Dissociative States Scale (CADSS). The objective of this study was to develop a short form version of the CADSS for easier clinical use.

METHODS

Retrospective data of 260 patients with treatment-resistant depression (TRD) receiving IV ketamine were randomly divided into two datasets. The first dataset (n = 130) was leveraged to develop a brief 6-item version of the CADSS (CADSS-6) based on items most sensitive to ketamine-induced dissociation. The CADSS-6 questions were then applied to the second dataset (n = 130) and the Spearman's correlation between the full-length CADSS and the CADSS-6 were assessed.

RESULTS

The CADSS-6 was developed from questions 1, 2, 6, 7, 15, and 22 from the full length CADSS. There was a strong significant correlation between the CADSS-6 total score and the CADSS total score at infusions 1 (rs(106) = 0.92, p < 0.001), 2 (rs(100) = 0.91, p < 0.001), 3(rs(99) = 0.95, p < 0.001) and 4 (rs(102) = 0.94, p < 0.001).

LIMITATIONS

The CADSS-6 was developed using a retrospective data; therefore, the scale remains unvalidated in this population.

CONCLUSIONS

The CADSS-6 presented herein was sensitive to dissociation experienced by patients receiving IV ketamine. Overall, the CADSS-6 was strongly correlated at each infusion with the full-length CADSS. While future studies should look to validate the CADSS-6 in a TRD sample, this scale offers clinicians a brief assessment that can be used to characterize symptoms of dissociation.

The relationship between dissociative symptoms and the medications used in the treatment of opioid use disorder

Opioid use disorder has long been associated with psychiatric symptoms, including dissociative experiences. Medications used to treat opioid use disorder can potentially impact dissociative symptoms, but the existing literature has not explored this. We examined the relationship between dissociative symptoms and opioid use disorder using the Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES). We studied subjects who were taking prescribed methadone, buprenorphine, or naltrexone for opioid use disorder. We gave the DES, the Patient Health Questionairre-9 (PHQ-9), and the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) with Criterion A to subjects in three substance use treatment facilities in Ohio. We conducted Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Spearman's Rank Correlations to examine associations between the variables and outcomes. We developed three separate multiple linear regression models. We included 116 participants in our exploratory and naturalistic study. The majority of participants were female (51.7%), white (89.5%), ≤ 40 years of age (64.7%), and taking buprenorphine (55%). The average DES score was 16.1 (standard deviation = 14.9) and we considered 80.9% to have low dissociation (score < 30). Approximately 55% (n = 64) of participants were taking prescribed buprenorphine. Approximately 27% (n = 32) were taking prescribed methadone and approximately 18% (n = 21) were taking prescribed naltrexone (oral or extended release). There was a significant association between opioid medication type and log dissociative symptoms (p = .01). Participants taking prescribed buprenorphine had higher mean log dissociation symptom scores (2.7) compared to those taking prescribed methadone (2.2) and prescribed naltrexone (2.1). Log dissociation symptom scores were significantly associated with last use of any opiates (rs = -0.21; p = .02) and time on medication (rs = -0.228; p = .01). Compared to those taking buprenorphine, those taking both methadone (β = -0.26; p = .01) and naltrexone (β = -0.27; p = .006) had significantly lower dissociation scores, controlling for the other variables in the model. Dissociation scores were positively correlated with depression scores (r = 0.45; p < .0001) and with PCL-5 scores (r = 0.51; p < .0001). Our study highlights the importance of diagnosing and monitoring dissociative symptoms in individuals who are taking prescribed medications for opioid use disorder, especially since dissociative symptoms can interfere with substance use treatment.

Biomarkers of Pathological Dissociation: A Systematic Review

Pathological dissociation is a severe, debilitating and transdiagnostic psychiatric symptom. This review identifies biomarkers of pathological dissociation in a transdiagnostic manner to recommend the most promising research and treatment pathways in support of the precision medicine framework. A total of 205 unique studies that met inclusion criteria were included. Studies were divided into four biomarker categories, namely neuroimaging, psychobiological, psychophysiological and genetic biomarkers. The dorsomedial and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, bilateral superior frontal regions, (anterior) cingulate, posterior association areas and basal ganglia are identified as neurofunctional biomarkers of pathological dissociation and decreased hippocampal, basal ganglia and thalamic volumes as neurostructural biomarkers. Increased oxytocin and prolactin and decreased tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) are identified as psychobiological markers. Psychophysiological biomarkers, including blood pressure, heart rate and skin conductance, were inconclusive. For the genetic biomarker category studies related to dissociation were limited and no clear directionality of effect was found to warrant identification of a genetic biomarker. Recommendations for future research pathways and possible clinical applicability are provided.

Symptom profile and diagnostic utility of depersonalization-derealization disorder: A retrospective critical review from India

BACKGROUND

Depersonalization and derealization (DPDR) syndrome results from complex interwoven sensory motor experiences seen across psychiatric disorders. There is sparse literature from India on DPDR symptoms, their clinical and research utility. This study focuses frequency of coding the diagnosis of DPDR (ICD-10) and critical discussion about its clinical and research utility.

METHODS

A retrospective review of case files coded under ICD code F48.1 was carried out for 10 years and details were systematically analyzed for age, gender, duration, phenomenology, comorbid diagnosis, and pharmacological treatment.

RESULTS

Fourteen patients received the diagnosis of DPDR. Mean duration of DPDR syndrome was 6 years (standard deviation [SD] = 2.2) while mean age of presentation to hospital was 24 years (SD = 2.5). Tactile imagery (50%), self-environmental integration (42%), and dream-reality integration (28%) were the major themes. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors were used as primary medication for 65% of patients.

CONCLUSION

Isolated DPDR syndrome has been diagnosed very rarely in recent past. Reasons may include ignoring the comorbid DPDR coding, inability to articulate DPDR symptoms, inadequate documentation and misinterpretation of symptoms or actually less prevalence of DPDR syndrome in India. Considering scanty literature on DPDR as a primary diagnosis, more studies are required to identify the actual prevalence and coding of DPDR in future.