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Symptom variability in depersonalization–derealization disorder: A latent profile analysis
Author(s) -
Millman L. S. Merritt,
Hunter Elaine C. M.,
Orgs Guido,
David Anthony S.,
Terhune Devin B.
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
journal of clinical psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.124
H-Index - 119
eISSN - 1097-4679
pISSN - 0021-9762
DOI - 10.1002/jclp.23241
Subject(s) - derealization , depersonalization , dissociative , psychology , anxiety , clinical psychology , etiology , anxiety disorder , dissociation (chemistry) , dissociative disorders , psychiatry , burnout , chemistry , emotional exhaustion
Objective Depersonalization–derealization disorder (DDD) is characterized by diverse symptomatology overlapping with anxiety and dissociative disorders, but the sources of this variability are poorly understood. This study aims to determine whether symptom heterogeneity is attributable to the presence of latent subgroups. Method We applied latent profile analysis to psychometric measures of anxiety, depersonalization–derealization, and dissociation in 303 DDD patients. Results The analysis yielded evidence for five discrete subgroups: three of varying severity levels and two moderate‐to‐severe classes characterized by differential dissociative symptoms. The five classes reliably differed on several nondissociative symptoms, comorbidities, and factors precipitating their diagnosis but did not significantly differ in other symptoms including anxiety. Conclusion These results suggest the presence of three distinct DDD subtypes in the upper severity range that are distinguished by differential expression of detachment and compartmentalization symptoms. Further elucidation of these subtypes has potential implications for the etiology, mechanisms, and treatment of DDD.