Causes of Dissociative Disorders

Dissociative disorders are complex psychological conditions that often arise as a response to trauma or stress. Among these disorders, Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), formerly known as Multiple Personality Disorder, involves the presence of two or more distinct personality states or an experience of possession. Each alter may have its own name, age, history, and characteristics, and they can exhibit different behaviors and reactions.

In contrast, Depersonalization/Derealization Disorder features persistent or recurrent feelings of detachment from one’s own body (depersonalization) or feelings of unreality regarding one’s surroundings (derealization). Both disorders serve as coping mechanisms for dealing with extreme emotional distress or trauma.

With this context in mind, consider the following question regarding the causes of dissociative disorders: