Question

During a case conference, one of the staff describes a patient as experiencing an "ego-dystonic" disorder. what is the most likely description of this patient?
a. he views his symptoms as a moral failure.
b. he does not view his disorder as a problem.
c. he is distressed by his symptoms.
d. he believes he can solve his own problems without a therapist's help.

Answer 1

I would go with option C; He is distressed by his symptoms. He has a problem and he realizes how problematic it is to him. Patients who manifest thoughts, behaviors, or impulses which is in conflict with the needs of the ego are said to be ego dystonic. If he views his disorder as a moral failure, or he doesn't view his problem as a disorder at all which is basically the same as option A, or if he thinks he can solve his problem without the therapist's help then he's being ego systonic. He thinks his attitude or feelings is consistent with his ideal self-image. Whereas his reply in C shows that he admits he has a problem which is in dissonance with his ideal self-image image.