CAUSES Many mental health experts believe that the underlying cause of dissociative disorders is chronic trauma in years as a child. Examples of trauma include repeated physical or sexual abuse, emotional abuse and/or neglect. Unpredictable, or perhaps frightening, family environments might additionally trigger the child to ‘disconnect’ from the world around them during times of stress. It appears that the intensity of the dissociative disorder in adulthood is immediately disconnect from the related to the severity of the childhood world around them trauma.
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Traumatic events that occur during adulthood may also cause dissociative disorders. Such events may include domestic violence, war, torture or going through a natural disaster, being involved in or witnessing a accident or violent crime.
C O M P L I C AT I O N S Without therapy and/or medication, possible complications for an individual with a dissociative disorder may include: Ø Broken down relationships and job loss. Ø Sleep problems such as sleeping disorders. Ø Sexual problems. Ø Severe depression. Ø Anxiety disorders. Ø Eating disorders. Ø Problematic drug use including alcohol. Ø Self-harm, including committing suicide.
DIAGNOSIS If you are concerned that you or a loved one may have a dissociative disorder, it is important to seek professional help. Diagnosis can be tricky due to the fact that dissociative disorders are complicated and their symptoms are typical to better
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